This Major Alabama Airport Was Just Ranked the 2nd Most Expensive in the U.S.

Flying out of Alabama doesn’t come cheap. Only In Your State looked at newly released Bureau of Transportation Statistics data on average domestic airfare at the 100 busiest U.S. airports, and Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) landed at 99th out of 100 for affordability. Only one airport in the country, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Alaska, charges higher average domestic fares.

Travelers paid an average of $497.72 to depart from BHM in 2025, compared with a national average of $387. That’s $110.72 more than the typical U.S. traveler paid for a domestic flight last year, and for a family of four, that gap adds up fast.

Birmingham’s pricing largely follows its passenger volume and the level of carrier competition. BHM ranked 80th in the country for passenger traffic, which limits the airline competition that pushes prices down at larger hubs. When fewer carriers compete for the same seats, fares stay high.

How Birmingham Compares

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

Among airports in the contiguous United States, Birmingham holds the unwelcome distinction of having the highest average departing domestic fare, according to Bureau of Transportation Statistics data released in May 2026.

Alabama has no other airports in the national top 100 by passenger volume, so travelers have no in-state alternative to comparison-shop. Unlike travelers in Florida or California, who can choose among multiple major airports, Alabamians 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) is another way to save.

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.