As the late summer sun lingers and the first hints of autumn breeze drift in, airports across the United States are buzzing with activity. Two airports in particular—Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) in South Carolina and Oklahoma City’s Will Rogers International Airport—are showing just how much American travel has rebounded and diversified in 2025. From record-setting summer crowds in Oklahoma to an array of affordable getaways from the Upstate, the skies are busier than ever as travelers seize new opportunities to explore, reconnect, and escape.
On August 15, 2025, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport was highlighted for its remarkable growth over recent years, now catering to a wide range of travelers with a tempting selection of affordable to ultra-cheap flights for late summer and fall. According to reporting by the local press, the Upstate’s largest airport is no longer just a regional hub—it’s become a launchpad for adventures ranging from the historic streets of Boston to the sun-drenched shores of Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida.
For those seeking a change of scenery without breaking the bank, GSP’s current offerings are hard to beat. Breeze Airways is offering a one-way flight to Pittsburgh for just $49 on September 4, 2025, making it an ideal opportunity to discover a city that, while perhaps not always top-of-mind for vacationers, is known among insiders for its acclaimed museums, unique architecture, and the iconic Duquesne Incline—an attraction that rewards visitors with sweeping views of the city’s storied skyline.
History buffs and sports fans alike might be drawn to Boston, where American Airlines is offering round-trip flights for $209 from October 8 to October 15, 2025. As America’s 250th anniversary approaches, the city’s colonial landmarks, museums, and vibrant neighborhoods offer a rich backdrop for those eager to immerse themselves in Revolutionary War history—or simply to catch a game or enjoy the city’s renowned culinary scene. As the local paper put it, "From tours to museums to sites within walking distance of downtown hotels, you’ll have the opportunity to see an abundance of colonial and Revolutionary War history."
New England continues to beckon with Breeze Airways flights to Portland, Maine ($72 one way, October 23) and Providence, Rhode Island ($64 one way, also October 23). Portland’s historic lighthouses, whale-watching tours, and the Maine Classic Car Museum make it a unique destination for those craving coastal charm, while Providence offers a cool autumn escape with its prestigious universities, acclaimed museums, and historic neighborhoods. As the source notes, "Providence is known for being home to prestigious Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design."
For those dreaming of the Pacific Northwest, United Airlines is offering a $283 round-trip ticket to Seattle from October 21 to October 28. Despite being the priciest option on the list, Seattle’s iconic Space Needle, Museum of Pop Culture, and stunning views of Puget Sound offer plenty of bang for the buck. Meanwhile, Allegiant Air tempts sun-seekers with a $38 one-way fare to Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida, on October 26, perfect for those looking to swap autumn chills for Gulf Coast warmth and outdoor fun—from beachcombing and kayaking to hiking scenic nature trails.
The Windy City is also within reach, with American Airlines offering $195 round-trip flights to Chicago from October 29 to November 5. Whether it’s architecture tours, world-class museums, or shopping along the Magnificent Mile, Chicago packs a punch—even as the city’s famous cool weather sets in. And for families or Disney fans, Allegiant Air’s $67 one-way flight to Orlando on November 25 could make for a magical Thanksgiving getaway.
But GSP isn’t the only airport making headlines this travel season. Oklahoma City’s Will Rogers International Airport has set a new record for summer travel in 2025, according to a report published on August 15. From May to July, the airport saw over 12,000 more travelers than the same period in 2024, representing a 2% increase over last summer and a remarkable 21% jump from 2022, when national travel numbers first began to recover after the pandemic. "After a slow start in the first quarter of 2025, we have had a record summer in OKC. Both June and July were record months, with July being the busiest month in the history of the airport with 452,620 passengers [flying in and out of the airport]," said Jeff Mulder, Director of Airports, as quoted by The Oklahoman.
July 2025, in particular, was a standout, with over 226,000 travelers flying out of Will Rogers International—over 7,000 more than in July 2024. June also saw an uptick, with nearly 225,000 travelers departing, up by 5,000 from the previous year. Only May fell short, dipping by a modest 740 travelers compared to 2024. Despite these impressive summer numbers, year-to-date figures show total enplanements and deplanements are down by less than half a percent, with enplanements specifically down just over 1,800 for the year. Still, airport officials are optimistic that the fall travel season will close this gap.
Stacey Hamm, the airport’s public information officer, explained, "We start to see an increase around fall break, and it does not stop until after Christmas." Fall in Oklahoma City is synonymous with football season and holiday travel, and the airport is gearing up for a surge in visitors, especially for marquee matchups like the University of Oklahoma versus Michigan and Auburn. Special event flights are already scheduled, whisking fans to Alcoa, Tennessee; Birmingham, Alabama; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and locations across Oregon for early September games. The excitement doesn’t stop there: the airport’s much-anticipated international flight to Cancun will launch on November 9, 2025, a milestone that drew applause from city leaders when it was announced in March.
Much of the travel boom in Oklahoma City has been concentrated among the airport’s three largest carriers—Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, and United—mirroring national trends as Americans return to the skies in droves. The combination of pent-up demand, special events, and competitive fares has created a travel environment that’s both dynamic and unpredictable. For both GSP and Will Rogers International, the message is clear: travelers are eager, options are plentiful, and the next adventure might be just a booking away.
As the calendar turns toward fall, airports like GSP and Will Rogers International are not just gateways—they’re barometers of a nation on the move, offering a glimpse of how Americans are embracing both the familiar and the unknown, one boarding pass at a time.
