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 the Asheville airport 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.
The Blue Ridge Tavern also sells souvenirs, snacks, and other treats.
Photo via the Asheville Airport
What to know
- Peak hours | According to an Asheville Airport spokesperson, peak hours fluctuate depending on the flight schedule. This 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.
- Map it out | If you’re like us and need to completely visualize a place before you step foot inside, this map of the entire airport will be your saving grace.
- Food and drink | The Blue Ridge Trading + Tavern serves breakfast biscuits, sandwiches, salads, and coffee drinks. Aletitude is the latest addition, featuring local brews on tap and grab-and-go salads and sandwiches. There’s also Cinnabon and Auntie Anne’s pretzels available.
- 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.
A bird’s eye view.
Photo via Asheville Airport
Current airport updates
In August, 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 new north concourse is expected to open in 2025. Interested in a sneak peek of the future airport? See the project overview (complete with renderings).
More recently, the airport began constructing a 600-space shuttle lot, located across the street from the WNC Ag Center. It’s slated to open in mid-November, just in time for holiday travel.
Expansions to Asheville Regional Airport are coming at a pivotal time — passenger numbers in 2022 were the highest ever, with more than 1.8 million folks using our airport. That’s a 29% increase from 2021.
Pro tip: AVL Ride has its own app.
Photo by AVL Ride
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 lot | $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.
Note: It’s currently illegal for Turo car rentals to operate at the airport, but there are plenty of other rental car options available.
Allegiant Airlines offers direct flights to Austin, Boston, Key West, and 10+ other spots.
Photo via Asheville Airport
Nonstop flights
Asheville offers 20+ nonstop flights that primarily focus on locations in the Southeast, Northeast, and Midwest. Here are 5 nonstop flights to nearby locations.
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.
- Atlanta, GA | Delta | Daily | Various times
- Boston, MA | Allegiant, American Airlines |Spring-fall, less-than-daily | Various times
- Clearwater-St. Pete, FL | Allegiant | Almost daily | Various times
- Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX | American Airlines | Year-round, daily | Various times
- LaGuardia Airport, New York City | Delta | Seasonal