Alabama Airport Ranks 99th—Second Most Expensive in the U.S.

Flying out of Alabama isn't cheap. Only In Your State analyzed recently released data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics on average domestic airfare at the 100 busiest U.S. airports, and Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) ranked 99th out of 100 for affordability. That means only one airport in the country—Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Alaska—has higher average domestic fares.

The average fare departing from BHM was $497.72 in 2025, against a national average of $387. That's $110.72 above what the average U.S. traveler paid to fly domestically last year. For a family of four, that gap compounds quickly.

The pattern at Birmingham largely tracks with passenger volume and carrier competition. BHM ranked 80th in the country by passenger traffic, which limits the kind of airline competition that drives prices down at larger hubs. With fewer carriers vying for the same seats, fares stay elevated.

How Birmingham Compares

BHM's $497.72 average puts it in rare company. Only Anchorage ($521.54), Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, Wisconsin ($491.19), and a handful of other smaller markets round out the most expensive tier nationally.

In the contiguous United States, Birmingham holds the unwelcome distinction of being the single most expensive airport by average departing domestic fare—a ranking confirmed by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics data released in May 2026.

The state has no other airports in the national top 100 by passenger volume, which means there's no in-state alternative to comparison-shop. Unlike travelers in Florida or California, who can choose among multiple major airports, Alabama travelers flying domestically have essentially one option.

Making It Work

Higher baseline fares make smart booking habits more valuable, not less. Booking well in advance, staying flexible on travel dates, and knowing how to find the best available fares can help offset some of the cost. Driving to Nashville International Airport (BNA, ranked 99th for cost at $357.76—making it one of the most affordable options) or Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL, $425.96)

This data reflects 2025 averages from the Department of Transportation, released in May 2026. It predates a recent uptick in prices driven by rising jet fuel costs, so current fares at all airports may be higher than what's shown here. The relative differences between airports, however, tend to hold over time.

To get the most from your next departure, explore finding cheap flights and unexpected ways to cut travel costs to help stretch your budget further once you've already got a head start.

To see how every major airport in the country compares—plus the full methodology behind the data—explore the complete U.S. Airport Cost Rankings for 2026.