Despite my relatively limited travel history, I've nonetheless come across my fair share of airports. I've seen the utilitarian yet convienient (BWI, Fort Lauderdale), the attractive yet overwhelming (Orlando, Tampa, Las Vegas), and the downright agonizing and hectic (Atlanta-Hartsfield). I can't really say I've really enjoyed any of them so much as I've come to accustom myself to the usual cattle-barn atmosphere. All but one, that is--Jacksonville International Airport (JIA). Much like the city in which it is located, JIA is totally without pretense yet a quiet little gem where flying in and out can actually be without stress.

JIA has the luxury of being North Florida's only major airport. Other than a few commuter flights in and out of Gainesville and Tallahassee, if you live or travel to North Florida, Jacksonville is the way to go.

One of the few drawbacks JIA does have is its location. While it is located within the city limits, the city limits of Jacksonville contains of the largest municipal areas in the country and contains a lot of open space as well as urbanized areas. And JIA is at the very north of the city, away from downtown Jacksonville, the St. John's riverfront, and the traveled city beaches. So the feeling one gets when flying into JIA is not that of flying into an urban jungle but rather a pastoral setting of pine forests. Of course, this also means if you want to get to downtown Jacksonville and you don't have a ride or a rental car, it will mean a somewhat higher than usual cab fare.

The somewhat remote location aside, JIA is a real change of pace from the sterile and overcrowed facilities that you except from airports. It is not as large as many airports are--having only three major gate terminals. But it is asthetically beautiful. The front ticketing area features a bright, white arched facade full of windows and vaulted ceilings. The carpeting througout the airport has a rich, brightly colored tropical tone to it, welcoming visitors to this gateway Sunshine State city. After you have passed the ticket counters, you enter into a sunlight atrium, surrounded by eateries such as Cinabon and Sbarros and multiple stores. You'll feel like you are in an attractive upscale mall rather than a metropolitian airport.

Despite there being three seperate gate terminals, there is actually one centralized security area for the entire airport. While this might appear inconvinient, I've found the lines to move much more fast and efficiently than other airports. At its busiest peak, you'll be in and out in five minutes.

You'll then go to your assigned gate area. While JIA might not have as busy a flight schedule as some larger airports may, all the regulars are there: US Airways, Continential, Delta, United, American, and Northwest. JIA also features two of my favorite low cost carriers: Southwest and Air Tran. While Air Tran may require you to go through the airline's hub in Atlanta, Southwest has several direct routes to various cities across the country.

Unfortunately, while JIA may feature most of the major airlines, its flight schedule is somewhat more limited than what you might expect at a larger airport. Accordingly, there aren't a whole lot of evening flights during the weekdays. When I was involved with a trial in Gainesville, one of our witnesses had to be back home by that evening. His airline's last flight out of JIA was at 7:20 pm, but his testimony ran late until 6:00 pm. Having to break numerous traffic laws on the normally hour and a half drive from Gainesville to Jacksonville, I miraculously got him to the airport by 7:00. However, as a testimony to the expediency of JIA's ticketing and security procedure, he made it to his gate by 7:10 and successfully boarded. Still, if you aren't hampered by a hard deadline, there are enough flights in and out of JIA during the day to get you to where you need to go.

The gate areas feature your normal choice of news stand, food stops and bars for laying back. Like the center area of the airport, all the gate areas are bright and cheerful. You don't need to waste your time on a tram to the gate areas like you do at Dulles, Orlando or Las Vegas; a short walk will take you right there.

The baggage claim areas on the lower level are like the rest of the area--easy to get to and fast. Overhead, tourist videos play on television screens and show you all of what Jacksonville has to offer. Apparently, when Jacksonville hosted the Super Bowl in February 2005, the City of Jacksonville had volunteer greeters at the baggage area to welcome the out of town guests and answer any questions they might have--it made a positive impression on this up and coming city.

There is sufficient parking on site, thanks to an expansion meant to handle the added traffic for the Super Bowl. One perk is that your first half-hour in the garage is free, something most airports don't give you. There are also several private long term lots which charge you a low $4 a day to park your car off site. JIA also had one of the first "cellphone lots" where you could park your car for up to a half hour free and wait for your loved one to call, and you can then circle and pick them up.

Just as JIA features all the main airlines, it also features all the main rental car companies: Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise and several others. The cars are all kept on site in the garage, so its very convienient to pick up your car and drop it off.

JIA doesn't have an airport hotel built into the airport itself like Orlando or Miami does, but it does feature a Clarion hotel right across from the terminal where guests can walk to and from the airport. There are also numerous hotels, restaraunts and gas stations along the main road leading to the airport. Access to the terminal is very easy, with a loop road and easy to follow signs.

Flying since September 11th has too often become a hassle and the once exciting prospect of air travel has somewhat lost its magical aura. But one place where I can count on still having a smile when I fly is JIA. I don't know if it is the bright and cheerful terminal; the lack of suffocating, pushy crowds all along; the quick trip from the ticket counter through security to your gate; or the fact that you are flying into a city that prides itself as much as Jacksonville; but JIA is a totally different airport than the rest of the bunch. The two words that best describe JIA would have to be civil and simple.

Of course I would recommend Jacksonville International Airport on the basis that it is the only major airport to service North Florida. But even if it weren't, I would still highly recommend traveling through JIA. The laid back and cheerful atmosphere are well-worth the price of airfare to there. I would suggest families that would travel right to the large and imposing Orlando International Airport consider JIA as a much less stressful alternative. The three hour trip to Orlando would well be worth it--you could even stop by the fun Jacksonville Zoo (see my review) or take a detour to the nation's oldest city, St. Augustine. But whether it be for business or pleasure, JIA is an fun, stress-free and accessible airport that will leave you with a smile on your face as you come and go.


Recommended: Yes

Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime