Mississippi Airports Guide

Mississippi Airports Guide

Mississippi airports has gotten complicated with all the conflicting info flying around. I spent a good chunk of last year bouncing between a few of them for work, and honestly, I came away with a much better sense of what each one actually offers than any generic list ever gave me. So here’s my take, grounded in real flights and real frustrations.

Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN)

Probably should have led with this since it’s by far the biggest airport in the state. JAN sits right there in Jackson, the capital, and handles more passengers than any other Mississippi airport. I’ve flown out of it maybe a dozen times now. Two runways, service from American Airlines, Delta, and United — you can connect through Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte, and a handful of other hubs without much headache.

The facilities are decent. Car rentals, a few food spots, some gift shops. Free Wi-Fi, which I always appreciate because half the airports I’ve been to still charge for it or give you something that barely loads email. Security lines haven’t been terrible in my experience, though I tend to fly midweek. The airport’s named after Medgar Evers, the civil rights leader, which honestly adds a weight to the place you don’t get at your average regional airport.

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT)

Down on the Gulf Coast, GPT handles both commercial and military traffic. I flew into here once heading to a conference near the casinos — that’s actually a big part of why this airport stays busy. Tourism from the casinos and beach resorts keeps it relevant. American, Delta, and United run routes to Houston, Atlanta, and Charlotte.

There are dining spots and some shopping inside, plus meeting rooms if you’re a business traveler trying to squeeze in one last call before your ride shows up. I noticed they’ve been making noise about environmental initiatives too, trying to cut their carbon footprint. Whether that’s window dressing or real progress, I can’t say for sure, but at least they’re talking about it.

Golden Triangle Regional Airport (GTR)

This one sits between Columbus, West Point, and Starkville. It’s small. I’m not going to sugarcoat that. But if you need to get to that part of Mississippi, it beats driving three hours to Jackson. Delta runs flights to Atlanta, which gets you connected to basically everywhere. That’s what makes GTR endearing — it doesn’t try to be something it’s not. You walk in, you get through, you’re on your plane.

Less congestion means less stress, which is honestly worth a lot after you’ve sprinted through Hartsfield-Jackson one too many times. Dining and shopping are limited inside the terminal, but there are hotels and restaurants close by that pick up the slack.

Tupelo Regional Airport (TUP)

Tupelo is famous for being Elvis Presley’s birthplace, so there’s that. The airport itself is served by Boutique Air, which connects you to Nashville. It’s a small operation — one runway, modern enough facilities, but don’t expect anything fancy. I actually liked it. There’s a personal feel you lose at bigger airports. Complimentary parking is a nice touch, and check-in is fast because, well, there’s not a lot of people.

For the local economy, TUP matters more than its size suggests. It keeps Tupelo connected without forcing everyone to drive to Memphis or Jackson. That accessibility is something people tend to overlook when they dismiss smaller airports.

Meridian Regional Airport (MEI)

Meridian is out in the eastern part of the state, in Lauderdale County. Commercial flights are limited here — SkyWest runs service to Dallas/Fort Worth through American Eagle. But the military presence is significant. The Naval Air Station nearby gives this airport a strategic function that goes well beyond just getting civilians from point A to point B.

Facilities are basic. You’ve got fueling, hangar space, and technical support geared more toward general aviation. It’s not glamorous, but it fills a gap. Without MEI, that whole eastern corridor of Mississippi would be even more isolated from air travel than it already is.

Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport (PIB)

Sitting about halfway between Hattiesburg and Laurel, PIB is another small regional player. American Airlines runs routes to Dallas/Fort Worth. Direct parking access and quick security checks — I mean genuinely quick, not the “we promise it’s quick” that bigger airports advertise while you stand in line for 45 minutes.

The community around PIB values it not just as a way to get out of town but as an economic contributor. It brings in business travelers and connects the area to the wider network. Compact, functional, no-nonsense. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need.

Stennis International Airport (HSA)

Okay, this one’s different. HSA isn’t really about commercial flights at all. It sits next to the Stennis Space Center and primarily supports NASA operations and general aviation. The infrastructure is built for large cargo, weather observation, and research. If you’re in aerospace or government work, you probably already know about it.

I’ll admit I didn’t know much about Stennis until a friend who works in defense mentioned it. It’s this interesting crossover between aviation and space technology that doesn’t get a lot of press. Training, research, government operations — it’s all happening there, quietly.

Olive Branch Airport (OLV)

Close to Memphis in northern Mississippi, OLV caters to general aviation — private pilots, small aircraft, corporate trips. If you’re based near Memphis but want to avoid the chaos of the big airport, Olive Branch is a solid alternative. Fixed-base operations cover maintenance, fueling, and hangar rentals.

They also run flight training programs here, which makes it a hub for people working on their pilot certifications. I’ve met a couple of students who train out of OLV and they seem to genuinely enjoy the community there. It’s got that local flying club energy.

University-Oxford Airport (UOX)

Home territory for the University of Mississippi. UOX handles general aviation — no commercial flights, but plenty of traffic from alumni, sports teams, and university visitors. The runway has been renovated and expanded over the years, and the facilities are honestly in better shape than you’d expect for a non-commercial field.

Maintenance services and flight instruction round things out. If you’re connected to Ole Miss in any way, this is likely how you’re arriving by air. It works well for what it is, and the university clearly invests in keeping it running smoothly.

What I’ve Taken Away

Mississippi’s airports cover more ground than you’d think. You’ve got everything from JAN handling millions of passengers to Stennis supporting literal rocket science. Each one serves its region in a specific way — some focused on commercial traffic, others on military or general aviation.

The smaller airports matter. Places like GTR and TUP keep communities connected that would otherwise be hours from the nearest flight. They’re not flashy, but they work.

Tourism and military operations drive a lot of the traffic. The Gulf Coast casinos keep GPT busy. Naval operations keep MEI relevant. And NASA keeps Stennis doing its own thing entirely. It’s a more varied picture than I expected before I started paying attention.