Traveling via plane is fun — jet-setting over beautiful blue waters or rolling hills, taking in cloud formations, and landing in a completely different location in a matter of hours is unlike anything else.
The whole navigating the airport part? Less exciting, and sometimes pretty stressful. To help make your time at Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) as smooth as possible, we’ve created a guide that covers everything from shuttles and parking to details on the airport’s 20+ nonstop flights.
What to know
- Peak hours | According to an AVL spokesperson, peak hours fluctuate depending on the flight schedule. In November, peak hours usually occur from 6-8 a.m., then again from 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. The airport does not track TSA wait times, but recommends arriving two hours before your flight to be safe.
- Food and drink | In the new North Concourse, you’ll find a new Aletitude for local brews, Costa Coffee for a caffeine kick, and a Jimmy John’s and Tropical Smoothie Cafe for some pre-flight fuel.
- Reminder | By May 7, 2025, you will need a REAL ID to board commercial flights in the US.
- Flight status | While we recommend staying updated via your respective airline, you can also check the airport’s dashboard for your flight status in a pinch.
Current airport updates
In August 2023, the airport broke ground on its $400 million expansion project, constructing a new terminal that will increase the size of the airport by 150% and increase the number of gates from seven to 12.
The airport celebrated a major milestone in late June with the opening of the new North Concourse and ticket lobby. Get a sneak peek inside (without having to book a flight).
In late 2023, the airport opened Shuttle Lot South, a 600-space parking area located across the street from the WNC Ag Center.
Earlier this year, the airport shared that it saw nearly 2.2 million travelers in 2024, bringing in a $3.9 billion economic impact. This was the second consecutive year when AVL’s passenger numbers exceeded 2 million. In 2023, the airport welcomed slightly over 2.2 million travelers.
Parking, shuttles, and rideshares
Not everyone has a bestie who will drop everything to pick them up from their 3 a.m. landing. Luckily, there are several parking options.
- Hourly lot | $2/hour with a $30 daily maximum
- Garage parking | $2/hour with $15 daily maximum and $90 weekly rate
- Daily lot | $2/hour with a $12 daily maximum and $72 weekly rate
- Shuttle lots | $2/hour with a $12 daily maximum and $72 weekly rate
Hate the thought of driving yourself? Consider a rideshare, taxi service, or bus service that will take you to and from the terminal. These services are suggested by the Asheville Airport:
- AVL Ride | Rideshare | This bike and pet-friendly ride service is locally owned and offers van rides that fit up to 14 passengers. Schedule a ride in advance.
- Uber | Rideshare | We recommend booking a ride in advance.
- Asheville ART Public Transit | Bus service | Check the S3 route map and schedule.
- Apple Country Public Transit | Bus service | Take this one if you need to head to Hendersonville.
See this map to locate the ground transportation pick-up area.
Nonstop flights
AVL offers 25+ nonstop flights that primarily focus on locations in the Southeast, Northeast, and Midwest. Here are five nonstop flight options that have recently arrived at AVL or will be departing soon.
Bonus: Get lower fares by signing up for Going. You’ll get emailed when flights are 40-90% cheaper than usual. Get a two-week free trial of the Premium plan, which lets you set custom destination flight alerts (score).
Pro tip: Remember that flight times and schedules will often change — you should rely on your respective airline for exact timing and to stay updated on any changes.
- Orlando, FL | Allegiant | Year-round, less-than-daily | Various times
- Denver, CO | United | Year-round, daily | 4:10 p.m.
- Phoenix, AZ | Allegiant | Year-round, less-than-daily | Various times
- Boston, MA | Delta |Year-round | Begins May 10
- Washington, DC (IAD) | Allegiant | Year-round | Begins June 25
