I am sitting in the Washington Reagan Airport as I write this, and I would so much rather be in the Charlottesville Airport.
Being from Chicago, I am definitely no stranger to large airports. O’Hare airport is the fifth busiest airport in the country, and to get to and from UVA, I am frequently one of the almost 100 million people per year that travels through it. O’Hare is massive and overwhelming at times, with four terminals each containing anywhere from 40 to 80 gates. Navigating this airport can be challenging, but the bustling atmosphere has always provided a sense of comfort and excitement to my travels. That was until I visited the Charlottesville airport, and I learned that small airports are entirely better than large airports.
The first time I flew through Charlottesville, I did everything the way I would at O’Hare. Although it is recommended to get to O’Hare three hours early, I normally arrive two hours before departure, and applied this logic to my flight in Charlottesville. I got in my Uber and told the driver that I needed to be dropped off at Terminal One, and I now realize why he gave me a weird look. We arrived at the airport and I was confronted with only one terminal, containing six relatively empty gates. Most shockingly, I had an hour and 55 minutes to sit in the terminal waiting to board, which allowed me to enjoy a coffee at the cafe and get work done.
Although I (sometimes) enjoy the adrenaline of fighting my way through O’Hare, the Charlottesville airport is an example of what travelling can be—a relaxing experience in a low-stress environment. The longest it has ever taken me to journey through the Charlottesville airport is seven minutes. Essentially, one might be able to arrive ten minutes before they board and have ample time to make it to their gate. There is just one place to eat in the airport, placed directly next to all of the gates—a fantastic place to get work done before going on airplane mode for a couple hours. The staff at the Charlottesville airport are also pleasant, as they are not being forced into a fast-paced environment.
The biggest shock by far was when I was being picked up at the Charlottesville airport, and my ride could just park and wait for me in front of the terminal. That is entirely unheard of at a big airport, and I have been yelled at countless times while picking up someone at a big airport for staying in the same spot for longer than 30 seconds. Instead of having to plan for the second for when my ride is going to pick me up, my roommate picking me up is able to just sit and wait without the stress.
Although some may be tempted to fly out of Washington, DC, or Richmond, the Charlottesville airport is a similar price for a fraction of the travel anxiety. Even though there may be a layover out of Charlottesville, it is no different than the travel to any of the other airports near us.
In the end, the convenience or the lack of stress is not everything, although it is definitely a plus. It’s about how a small airport transforms travel from a hectic, nerve-racking experience into something more peaceful and enjoyable. So, the next time you’re flying out, consider skipping the madness of Washington and Richmond, and embrace the leisure that airport travel can be. Sometimes, less really is more.
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