This North Carolina Airport Just Made America’s Top 10, And It’s Not In Charlotte Or Raleigh
Four giant pairs of painted jeans inside an airport terminal were enough to make me curious.
They are a nod to the city where Wrangler denim began, and they immediately tell me this is not another anonymous place to catch a flight.
The rankings make the story even better.
Newsweek readers placed the airport No. 7 nationally in 2025, while USA Today readers put it among America’s 10 best small airports again in 2026.
I like that it earns that attention without trying to compete with North Carolina’s massive hubs on size.
The terminal is compact enough to cross on foot in about 10 minutes.
For me, that sounds almost luxurious.
No endless hike to the gate, no sprawling maze, and apparently four enormous jeans keeping watch along the way.
Readers Voted, And This Airport Landed At Number Seven
Piedmont Triad International Airport earned a spot at number seven in the 2025 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards for small airports. That’s a national list, and real travelers cast the votes.
The honor didn’t come out of nowhere. In 2024, USA Today 10Best readers also named it one of the top 10 small airports in America.
The recognition continued in October 2026, when USA Today readers placed PTI at No. 10 among America’s best small airports, following its earlier honors in 2024 and 2025.
North Carolina already has two famous airports in Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham. Both are much larger and far busier, so a smaller airport stealing headlines feels like an underdog story.
Locals often call it PTI, while its airport code is GSO. Don’t let the two names confuse you, because they point to the same friendly terminal.
I like that the wins reward calm over chaos. Big hubs offer endless gates, but they also offer endless walking and long lines.
This airport proves size isn’t everything. Sometimes the best trip starts at the place that simply gets out of your way.
You Can Walk The Whole Terminal Before Your Coffee Cools
Ten minutes. That’s about how long it takes to stroll from one end of the terminal to the other.
The layout keeps everything under one roof. There’s a single terminal building with two public levels covering 296,000 square feet.
Gates are divided between the north and south concourses, with the airport listing 25 aircraft parking positions next to the terminal.
That setup makes finding your gate refreshingly simple. No trains, no shuttles between terminals, and no frantic sprint past forty food courts.
The current terminal opened on October 9, 1982. Since then, it has gone through several renovations, including a 40,000-square-foot expansion in 2006.
The building stays open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. TSA checkpoints open daily at 4:15 a.m., which helps early birds catch dawn flights.
Free Wi-Fi covers the entire airport, even baggage claim. You can stream, text, or check emails without hunting for a signal.
I can’t imagine a more relaxing way to begin a vacation. Fewer steps means more energy saved for the trip itself.
Giant Jeans, A Steel Griffin, And Butterflies Overhead
Who expects denim art at an airport? Four colorful jean sculptures pop up around the terminal, and they’re impossible to miss.
They belong to the Jeansboro project, launched by Wrangler in 2015. Greensboro is the birthplace of Wrangler denim, so the tribute fits perfectly.
Designs feature North Carolina wildflowers, native landscapes, and the state’s horned owl. Each pair feels like a mini postcard you can walk around.
Look up in one atrium for A Traveler’s Garden. Metal butterflies and wildflowers float overhead like they forgot to land.
Outside on the arrival level, a steel Griffin by Jonathan Bowling mixes a lion and an eagle. You’ll find it near Door 7 by the parking area.
Between Doors 2 and 3 sits With Grace by Macy James. It’s a larger-than-life metal hummingbird inspired by the artist’s grandparents.
The airport even offers an Art Walking Tour through the terminal. That’s a clever way to fill a layover without staring at your phone.
Honestly, the hummingbird alone deserves a photo. Good luck walking past it without slowing down.
Whimsical Gourds Wait Near The Observation Deck
Gourds turned into storybook characters sound like something from a children’s book. Near the Observation Deck, that’s exactly what you’ll find.
Artist Cara Bevan creates these whimsically realistic gourd sculptures. Her work draws inspiration from Dr. Seuss and Maurice Sendak, and her children’s books sit on display too.
Kids usually love an airport with surprises. These quirky pieces give little travelers something fun to spot before takeoff.
The observation area also gives you a place to pause. Watching planes is a classic airport pastime, and it costs nothing.
Art lovers can keep going on the departure level. Inside Door 4, near the Airport Authority office, hang abstract paintings by John Davis.
His works carry the titles Rising and One Troy. They add a bold, modern touch to the calmer spaces upstairs.
The airport’s Executive Center also hosted an exhibition that opened in July 2025, featuring paintings and sculptures by artists from Monarch’s Studio 651 Day Program in Winston-Salem.
I like that the collection feels personal and local. It shows the community, not just a generic decorator’s catalog.
Golf Greens, Bagels, And A Taste Of College Sports
Golf fans get their own clubhouse here. The PGA Tour Grill sits in the main terminal, nodding to the region’s deep golf heritage.
Its motto is Eat Smarter, Play Harder. The menu includes healthier choices, which helps when you’d rather skip a heavy meal before flying.
The Great American Bagel and Panini Company also calls the main terminal home. It’s an award-winning bagel bakery and deli, perfect for an early flight.
Sports fans should head to the South Concourse. The ACC American Café celebrates the area’s college sports culture with plenty of team spirit.
Over on the North Concourse, The Local at GSO serves the airport’s own take on a popular restaurant brand. It’s often described as farm-to-table.
Starbucks shows up on both concourses for your caffeine fix. Several airport dining locations open as early as 4:30 a.m., giving passengers a chance to grab breakfast, coffee, or a quick meal before boarding.
HMSHost runs the dining spaces across the airport. Most spots close after the final departures, so plan accordingly for late flights.
Smart tip: grab a meal before your gate gets close to boarding. A full stomach makes any flight feel shorter.
Shopping Here Comes With A Little Aviation History
Kitty Hawk News might be the most fitting shop name in North Carolina. It sits on the South Concourse in a setting that honors the First Flight.
That’s a sweet nod to the Wright brothers. The state proudly claims that famous moment, and this little shop keeps the story alive.
On the North Concourse, the CNBC Store stocks books, news, magazines, and snacks. It also has an online station for quick needs.
Back in the main terminal, Piedmont Marketplace handles the basics. You’ll find convenience items, reading material, and souvenirs for anyone you promised a gift.
Golfers can browse the PGA Tour Shop too. It sells golf apparel and accessories, matching the grill’s theme nearby.
Gift shops and newsstands appear in the upper-level atrium and both concourses. You won’t need to backtrack across the building for gum.
Forgot a charger or a neck pillow? A quick stop usually solves the problem.
I believe a good airport shop saves trips. These cover the essentials without turning your walk into a mall marathon.
Business Travelers Get Rooms, Desks, And A Hotel Next Door
A 299-room Marriott sits right on airport property. That’s handy for anyone catching a crack-of-dawn flight or arriving late.
The Marriott provides a complimentary, on-request airport shuttle between the hotel and the passenger terminal.
Need to work? The Executive Center offers pre-security workspaces for up to six people.
Two conference rooms sit on the arrival level next to baggage claim. The Greensboro Room fits 20 to 25 people and includes a TV and projector.
The Winston-Salem Room holds 10 to 12 people. It skips the screen, which works fine for a focused chat.
You’ll find lactation suites, pet relief areas, and information desks throughout the terminal, although currency exchange services are not available on-site.
Parking stays close to the terminal. Short-term, long-term, and garage choices let you pick based on trip length.
I like an airport that treats a business trip like it matters. Fly in, meet up, and fly out without leaving the grounds.
From Lindley Field To A Lindbergh Visit, The Roots Run Deep
Charles Lindbergh once dropped by this airport. He stopped at Lindley Field in 1927 during his cross-country tour.
The present airport’s history begins in 1927 with Lindley Field near Greensboro. Maynard Field, established in Winston-Salem in 1919 and named for North Carolina aviator Belvin W.
Maynard, was an entirely separate airfield.
In 1927, a Tri-City Airport Commission chose 112 acres near Friendship. Lindley Field formally opened on May 28 that year.
By 1928, it became a stop on the eastern mail route. After a short closure during the Great Depression, it reopened in 1937 with two all-weather runways.
A new 34,000-square-foot terminal arrived in 1958. Names shifted in the 1970s as the region grew together.
Finally, in 1987, it became Piedmont Triad International Airport. The name reflects Greensboro, High Point, and Winston-Salem working as one region.
That shared identity still shows. The airport sits in unincorporated Guilford County, west of Greensboro, serving all three cities.
It’s fun to think about Lindbergh on the same ground where travelers now grab bagels. A century of flight history hides under those runways.
Bigger Than It Looks, From Honda Jets To FedEx Planes
Behind the cozy terminal hides a 4,000-acre campus. More than 50 companies operate here, and some are major players.
Honda Aircraft Company keeps its world headquarters at the airport. HAECO Americas, a giant in aircraft maintenance, has its world headquarters here too.
FedEx opened its mid-Atlantic hub here in 2009. It’s one of only five FedEx hubs in the country, and a 9,000-foot runway opened in 2010 to support it.
The airport supports over 30,000 jobs across the region. No local tax dollars fund its operations, since the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority runs it.
Passengers benefit from plenty of choices. Five passenger airlines currently serve Piedmont Triad International Airport: Allegiant, American, Breeze, Delta, and United.
Breeze joined the airport in June 2025.
The airport currently advertises 14 nonstop destinations, including major connecting hubs that provide access to hundreds of additional travel routes. Popular routes include Atlanta, New York-LaGuardia, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Chicago-O’Hare.
Ready to plan a trip? Set your GPS for 1000 Ted Johnson Pkwy, Greensboro, NC 27409.
North Carolina’s top-ranked small airport is waiting. Your easiest takeoff might be closer than you think.
