Kingsport Spirit

On a recent recruiting trip to Long Island, NY, with Tennessee Tourism, one of the most frequently asked questions was about airport accessibility.

Our team usually includes representatives from various parts of the state, and this trip featured folks from Nashville, Knoxville, and the Tri-Cities. As a Tri-Cities resident, I was able to share my firsthand experience: I live just 20 minutes from the airport, where I parked close to the terminal and breezed through security in under 10 minutes. I left my house at 10:00 a.m. and, with one stop in Charlotte, arrived at LaGuardia Airport by 3:30 p.m. The final stretch—a 30-mile trip from the airport to the hotel—took a grueling 1.5 hours in New York traffic.

Meanwhile, my colleagues from Nashville and Knoxville left their homes in the early morning hours, catching nonstop flights that got them to New York by 3:00 p.m. While their flights were shorter, they faced longer drives home afterward—an hour or more through Nashville or Knoxville traffic. In contrast, I was back in the comfort of my own home just 20 minutes after landing.

The convenience of the Tri-Cities Airport is something I deeply appreciate. While it may cost a bit more than other options, it significantly reduces travel stress. That said, I occasionally opt for flights from Knoxville or Asheville when they offer better connections or lower fares—both airports are about a 1.5-hour drive from the Tri-Cities, which is roughly the same amount of time I spent in New York traffic just getting to my hotel.

To provide additional insights, I analyzed flights for the weekend of March 28–31 from regional cities to various destinations. Using Google Flights, I selected their “best” options, factoring in mileage costs and parking. The airports are Tri-Cities, Asheville, Knoxville, Roanoke, Lexington, Huntington, Charlotte, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Greensboro, Raleigh-Durham, and Asheville. The cities I included were Kingsport, Abingdon, Morristown, Boone, Wise, and Pikeville. What I found might surprise you:

• Tampa: Tri-Cities was the best option for all six cities.
• Denver: Tri-Cities was the best for all except Boone’s, which is Charlotte.
• Amsterdam: Tri-Cities was the best option for Kingsport and Wise, while Abingdon’s and Boone’s are Charlotte, Pikeville’s is Lexington, and Morristown’s is Knoxville.
• Las Vegas: Tri-Cities was the best for Kingsport, Abingdon, and Wise. Boone’s is Charlotte, Morristown’s is Knoxville, and Pikeville’s is Cincinnati.
• New York (LGA): Asheville emerged as the cheapest option for Kingsport and Wise, Charlotte for Abingdon and Boone, Knoxville for Morristown, and Huntington for Pikeville.
• Los Angeles: Believe it or not, Atlanta was the most cost-effective choice for Kingsport and Morristown, Charlotte for Boone and Abingdon, and Cincinnati for Wise and Pikeville.

Of course, travel decisions depend on individual variables, but this comparison adds some valuable perspective.

One thing is clear: the more we use Tri-Cities Airport, the better our flight options will become.

Most New Yorkers believe they need an international airport, but say they only use it a few times a year. My question to them is, “Do you really need to live near a busy, noisy international airport 24/7/365 when you have a more convenient airport and can be to many domestic and international destinations with one quick hop to Atlanta, Charlotte, or Dallas?” It certainly gives them pause to realize what a tremendous asset we have in TRI Airport.