Wilkes-Barre Scranton Airport Guide

I flew into Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport for the first time on a freezing January afternoon, and my initial thought stepping off the jet bridge was, “This is way smaller than I expected.” And honestly? That turned out to be the best part. No long terminal walks, no getting lost in a maze of concourses. Just a straightforward little airport that does what it needs to do.

Where It Sits and How to Get There

AVP, as the airport is coded, sits right off Interstate 81 at exit 178, in a town called Avoca, Pennsylvania. If you are coming from Scranton or Wilkes-Barre, you are looking at maybe a 15- to 20-minute drive, which is pretty convenient. Probably should have led with this: parking is plentiful and not outrageously priced. They have short-term and long-term lots, and I have never had trouble finding a spot, even during holidays.

For ground transportation, the usual options are all there. Taxis wait outside arrivals, Uber and Lyft both operate in the area, and there are rental car counters inside the terminal. Nothing fancy, but it covers what you need. I rented a car last time and the whole process took maybe ten minutes, which felt almost too easy.

Inside the Terminal

Let me be upfront: AVP is not the kind of airport where you want to arrive three hours early and browse shops. The terminal has a small cafe, some snack options, and a gift shop that sells magazines and travel basics. That is about it. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, and there are charging stations scattered around, so you can keep your devices alive while waiting.

I grabbed a coffee and a sandwich before my last flight out. The coffee was fine, nothing special. The sandwich was, well, an airport sandwich. But for a regional airport this size, I was not expecting a food court. It matches the scale of the operation, and that is perfectly okay.

Airlines and Where You Can Fly

American Airlines and Delta are the main carriers at AVP. Direct flights go to hubs like Philadelphia, Charlotte, and Atlanta, which means you can connect to pretty much anywhere from there. The schedules shift around depending on demand and season, so I would always double-check the airport website or the airline directly before booking.

One thing I appreciate about flying out of AVP instead of, say, driving to Newark or Philly: the security lines are short. I am talking five minutes short on a normal day. For someone who has stood in TSA lines that made me question my life choices, that alone is worth the slightly more limited flight options.

A Bit of Background

The airport opened back in the 1940s, originally serving both military and commercial purposes. It has gone through several rounds of upgrades over the decades, including runway improvements and terminal renovations. The most recent work focused on modernizing the passenger experience, which you can see in the updated gate areas and improved signage.

It is not glamorous, but it has kept pace with what the region needs. And for Northeastern Pennsylvania, having a functioning airport with major airline connections is a bigger deal than people outside the area might realize.

What It Means for the Local Economy

AVP punches above its weight when it comes to economic impact. It supports jobs directly, of course, but the ripple effect touches hospitality, retail, and tourism across Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. Businesses that need to ship products or bring in clients rely on the airport being there. Tourists flying in to visit the Poconos or catch a minor league game contribute to the local economy in ways that are easy to overlook.

I talked to a hotel manager near the airport once who said a solid percentage of his guests are there specifically because of the flight connections. Without AVP, a lot of that traffic would just go elsewhere. That’s what makes this little airport endearing, really. It holds the region together in ways that are not immediately obvious.

Community and Environmental Stuff

The airport does community outreach, partnering with local organizations on events and aviation education programs. I have seen photos from open house days where families bring their kids to learn about planes, which is a nice touch for a smaller airport.

On the environmental side, they have implemented energy-efficient lighting and waste reduction programs. Nothing groundbreaking, but it shows they are at least thinking about it. For an airport this size, any step toward sustainability counts.

Looking Ahead

There are expansion plans in the works, which makes sense given that passenger numbers have been climbing. More modernization, potentially more carriers, and better facilities are all on the roadmap. I am cautiously optimistic. AVP has found a niche as the no-hassle alternative to the bigger airports in the region, and if they can build on that without losing the simplicity, they will be in good shape.

If you are flying into Northeastern Pennsylvania, give AVP a look. It might not wow you, but it will get you where you need to go with a lot less stress than the alternatives.