Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) has been nominated for USA Today’s Best Small Airport award, recognizing the efficient travel experience that many local residents have come to expect when flying out of the region.
The nomination was highlighted on the official Reddit community for Bentonville, where users pointed out that the airport frequently avoids the headaches associated with larger metropolitan hubs. The local post noted that voters can participate once a day and urged the community to keep the momentum going. XNA represents a specific kind of transit experience in Northwest Arkansas—one that feels less like a transit center and more like a quiet, neighborly facility. The drive-up curbside check-in at Terminal C is a common sight; you pull up, grab your bags, and board within minutes. There are no hour-long waits to taxi across pavement in the heat or cold, and the noise that typically accompanies a busy airport is often just the hum of a few idling planes waiting for their departure slots.
Efficiency in the Natural State
For a region that relies on flight connectivity, efficiency is the name of the game. Flying in and out of Northwest Arkansas shouldn’t require an afternoon of travel just to get through security. The nomination highlights the airport’s commitment to speed and accessibility, providing a vital link to the rest of the country without the stress often found elsewhere. Whether someone is heading up to the ski slopes in Colorado or down to Houston for a convention, XNA serves as the gateway. Having the hub receive national recognition for that convenience reinforces why people continue to choose to live and work in Northwest Arkansas, even when it means living in “flyover country.” It’s a nod to the infrastructure that supports the local community’s aspirations to travel and connect.
The nomination process isn’t passive; it relies on the voices of the people who actually use the facility. On the r/bentonville subreddit, users highlighted that the competition is active, meaning every ticket counts. This kind of grassroots engagement is what powers USA Today’s 10Best awards, turning a list into a communal effort.
Supporters are encouraged to visit the official voting page to cast their ballots once per day through the end of the contest. The airport staff and the local FAA tower work hard to keep operations smooth, and rallying behind a national nomination adds a layer of local pride to the routine of traveling.
Vote for Northwest Arkansas National Airport at USA Today here.
Source: Reddit Bentonville
