Fly To Boston’s Most Underrated Airport Instead

Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) is one of the busiest airports in the country, processing more than 43 million passengers last year. The facility connects Boston to destinations across the world, including those as far away as Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), Dubai International Airport (DXB), Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT), and Istanbul Airport (IST).

However, did you know that the Boston metropolitan region boasts another airport, known as Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT)? Although much smaller than Boston Logan International Airport and with a much more special array of destinations, it can provide a convenient alternative for those looking to take to the skies as quickly as possible. In this article, we will take a closer look at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, exploring what the airport has to offer.

About Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT)

Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is located three miles south of Manchester, New Hampshire, and approximately 51 miles from downtown Boston. The facility opened in 1927 and served as a US Army Air Force base during World War II. Over the years, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport has seen most major US carriers operating flights, including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines.

The airport underwent a significant expansion plan in the 1990s, and its runway was extended, allowing airlines to operate flights to destinations as far away as Las Vegas. The facility can immediately handle larger widebody and cargo aircraft, including the Airbus A300 and Boeing 767.

Despite a decline in passenger numbers throughout the 2010s and as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the arrival of airlines such as Avelo Airlines in 2023, and Breeze Airways and JetBlue in 2024, has helped to boost traffic once more, and last year, the airport handled more than 1.2 million passengers. Breeze Airways’ new destination is Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) in South Carolina.

Earlier this year, JetBlue announced direct flights from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport to the carrier’s hub at New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The early morning departure and late evening return make it possible for passengers to travel to New York City for a day trip, whether for business or leisure. At the time of the announcement, the airport’s Acting Director, Tom Malafronte, celebrated the news, saying,

“We’re excited to welcome JetBlue’s nonstop flights to JFK in New York City, restoring access to a region that is vital for both business and leisure travel. We’re especially grateful to JetBlue for their continued investment in MHT and New Hampshire and for expanding their valued service with this new, seasonal destination.”

With 1.2 million commercial passengers processed in 2024, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport still has some way to go before it gets back to its pre-pandemic peak of 1.85 million passengers in 2019. The airport also handles a significant proportion of private aviation passengers.

The Busiest Routes From Manchester-Boston Regional Airport By Number Of Passengers

The vast majority of Manchester-Boston International Airport’s route network is centered around the US East Coast, with a handful of routes to Florida, too. Last year, the busiest domestic routes from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT), when measured by number of passengers, were as follows:

By contrast, the five busiest routes from Boston Logan International Airport are as follows:

The Busiest Routes From Manchester-Boston Regional Airport By Number Of Flights

However, when listed by number of flights in August 2025 (as per data from Cirium, an aviation analytics company), the list changes somewhat, as shown in the table below:

The Largest Airlines At Manchester-Boston Regional Airport

When it comes to the airlines operating at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT), by far the largest carrier is Southwest Airlines, which boasted a 51.4% market share at the facility last year. The airport’s largest airlines are outlined in the table below:

Despite its major presence at the airport, Southwest Airlines only serves four different destinations from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. These are Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI), Orlando International Airport (MCO), and Chicago-Midway International Airport (MDW), with a seasonal service to Tampa International Airport (TPA).

The Benefits Of Traveling Through Manchester-Boston Regional Airport

When it comes to comparing Manchester-Boston Regional Airport with Boston Logan International Airport, there are a number of key differences in the passenger experience. Firstly, security and check-in times are quick, with anecdotal reports of passengers getting from their car to the boarding gate within 15 minutes – something almost unheard of at Boston Logan International Airport.

In addition, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport boasts just 13 departure gates, making the facility easily navigable, even for the most novice flyers. The airport is also conveniently located for those looking to explore the area’s coastline or ski resorts. That said, for those traveling to and from downtown Boston on public transport, Boston Logan International Airport offers a much greater choice and cheaper prices.

Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is served just three times per day by Greyhound on its Boston-Montreal route, while the Manchester Transit Authority provides hourly buses direct to downtown Manchester.

Named One Of The leading 10 Small Airports In The US

In October 2024, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) was named as one of the leading 10 small airports in the US by USA Today. At the time, the airport’s Director, Ted Kitchens, celebrated the achievement, saying,

“MHT is honored to be named a leading US airport again this year. Thank you to our passengers and our community for choosing MHT. I also want to thank our employees and partners at the Airport for their hard work to make this kind of award possible—we couldn’t do it without all of you!”

Meanwhile, Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais was equally pleased, adding,

“MHT is an excellent example of a small airport packing a big punch. It offers easy parking, a terminal that doesn’t stress travelers out and low fares on seven airlines to 17 nonstop destinations and over 250 global destinations available via one-stop service. No wonder so many passengers who fly MHT report having a positive experience. It’s an honor when your hometown airport is rated leading Ten by USA TODAY. I credit Director Kitchens and his amazing staff for making Manchester-Boston Regional Airport a continuing success.”

Manchester-Boston Regional Airport was eighth in the list, according to USA Today’s rankings, with the leading 10 small airports in the US being as follows:

While Manchester-Boston Regional Airport does not boast the extensive worldwide route network of Boston Logan International Airport, it does offer passengers a convenient gateway to regional destinations across the East Coast and Florida. The airport’s small-scale facilities make it well-placed to provide a quick and easy passenger experience.

IATA Code

BOS

City

Boston

State/Province/Region

Massachusetts