Xna Airport: Unveiling The City Behind The Code

The Northwest Arkansas National Airport, also known as XNA, is a public-use airport located in Benton County, Arkansas. It is a critical transportation hub for the rapidly growing region of Northwest Arkansas, which includes the cities of Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, and Springdale. XNA offers direct flights to over 23 destinations, including major hubs such as Dallas/Fort Worth, Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, and New York. With its modern terminal and dynamic economy, the airport has become an exciting and thriving gateway for both domestic and international travelers.

Northwest Arkansas National Airport's location

The Northwest Arkansas National Airport, also known as XNA, is located in Highfill, Benton County, Arkansas. The airport is strategically positioned to serve the rapidly developing Northwest Arkansas region, which encompasses prominent cities such as Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, and Springdale.

XNA is a vital transportation hub, reflecting the dynamic economic growth and rising travel demands of the region. Its establishment in 1998 was driven by the need to accommodate the increasing population and economic activities in Northwest Arkansas. The airport covers 2,680 acres of land and features two parallel runways, each measuring 8,800 feet in length.

The airport is conveniently located amidst the breathtaking Ozark landscape, providing travellers with a scenic start or end to their journeys. It offers seamless connectivity for both domestic and international travellers, with direct flights to over 23 destinations across the country. These destinations include major hubs such as Dallas/Fort Worth, Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, and New York.

XNA is managed by the Northwest Arkansas National Airport Authority (NWANAA), which consists of representatives from the cities of Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, Siloam Springs, and Springdale, as well as Benton and Washington Counties. The airport's modern terminal is designed to enhance the travel experience, featuring three well-organized concourses (Concourse A, Concourse B, and the Main Terminal) connected by a covered walkway for easy navigation.

The airport also provides a range of amenities and services to ensure a comfortable and efficient travel experience for its passengers. These include various parking options, such as short-term and long-term parking lots, a cell phone waiting area for those picking up travellers, and handicapped parking near the terminal entrance.

XNA's terminals and gates

XNA Airport, or Northwest Arkansas National Airport, is located in Benton County, Arkansas, United States. The airport serves the Northwest Arkansas region, including the cities of Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, and Bentonville.

XNA Airport features three terminals: Concourse A, Concourse B, and the Main Terminal. The terminals are well-connected, with a covered walkway making it easy and convenient for passengers to navigate between them. The Main Terminal is used by all airlines that fly into XNA and has 12 gates. Concourse A has 6 gates and is exclusively used by Allegiant Air. Concourse B has 8 gates and serves Delta, American, and United Airlines.

The airport's layout is designed to be straightforward and simple to navigate. It offers a seamless travel experience with modern amenities and a range of services. To assist passengers in reaching their gates, the terminal has clear signage, digital displays for real-time flight and gate information, and a moving walkway in the upper-level concourse. The interactive airport map is also available online, allowing passengers to find specific terminals, concourses, gates, and amenities with ease.

XNA Airport provides a variety of parking options, including short-term and long-term parking lots, with handicapped parking available in all areas. The Main Parking Lot is located directly in front of the terminal, while the Long-Term Parking Lot is just a few minutes away, offering a more economical choice. Additionally, a Cell Phone Waiting Area is provided outside the terminal for those picking up arriving passengers.

Airlines and flights

XNA Airport is located in Northwest Arkansas and is officially named the Northwest Arkansas National Airport. The airport offers an average of 45 flights per day to major cities across the United States, with direct flights to over 23 destinations.

The airport has three terminals: Concourse A, Concourse B, and the Main Terminal. The Main Terminal has 12 gates and is used by all airlines that fly into XNA. Concourse A has 6 gates and is exclusively used by Allegiant Air. Concourse B has 8 gates and services Delta, American, and United Airlines.

A shuttle service is provided for passengers who need to transfer between flights, running between the terminals every 10 to 15 minutes. This service is free of charge and is also wheelchair accessible.

Some of the airlines operating at XNA Airport include:

• Frontier Airlines
• Delta Air
• Allegiant Air
• American Airlines
• United Airlines

Parking options

XNA Airport is located in Northwest Arkansas. It is a bustling hub for both domestic and international travellers, providing a seamless travel experience with its three well-organized terminals.

XNA Airport offers a variety of parking options for travellers. The Main Parking Lot is located directly in front of the terminal and is ideal for short-term parking. The Long-Term Parking Lot is a more economical option for those needing to park for an extended period; it is located just a few minutes from the terminal.

For those picking someone up from the airport, there is a Cell Phone Waiting Area located just outside the terminal, where drivers can wait for their passengers to arrive without paying for parking. All parking areas at XNA offer handicapped parking spaces near the terminal entrance for easy access.

If you're looking for an even more affordable parking option, off-airport parking lots are available near the airport. The airport also offers covered and uncovered parking with various pricing options. The Premium Reserved parking option is located near elevators and pathways leading to the terminals. The Parking Deck Premium Reserved offers extra-large spaces.

History and development

The Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) is located in Highfill, Benton County, Arkansas. The airport is strategically positioned to serve the rapidly developing Northwest Arkansas region, which includes the cities of Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, and Springdale.

The establishment of XNA was driven by the need to accommodate the region's growing population and thriving economy. Prior to XNA, Drake Field in Fayetteville served as the primary airport, but its location in a valley often led to flight delays and cancellations due to fog and other weather conditions. Recognizing the limitations of Drake Field, discussions for a new airport in northwestern Arkansas began as early as 1964, organized by Bill Simmons of Simmons Foods. However, it wasn't until the 1990s that significant progress was made.

In 1990, the Northwest Arkansas Council, a private, non-profit organization, was formed with Alice L. Walton as its first chairperson. Under her leadership, the Council played a pivotal role in the creation of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport Authority. This authority included representatives from the cities and counties that now make up the airport's governance. The airport's construction was completed, and it opened for commercial passenger business on November 1, 1998.

Since its opening, XNA has undergone several expansions and improvements to meet the growing demands of the region. In 2011, the original runway built in 1998 had to be reconstructed due to the discovery of alkali-silica reaction in its Portland cement concrete. In 2012, an alternative runway construction project was accelerated with stimulus funds from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA). Upon completion, all aircraft operations were shifted to the new runway, allowing for the demolition and replacement of the primary runway.

XNA has become a vital transportation hub, reflecting the area's economic expansion and increasing travel demands. The airport covers 2,680 acres of land and features two parallel 8,800-foot runways. It offers non-stop flights to over two dozen destinations, including major business centres across the country. The airport's operations are enhanced by its proximity to the headquarters of major corporations, such as Walmart in Bentonville, Tyson Foods in Springdale, and J.B. Hunt Transport Services in Lowell.

The Northwest Arkansas National Airport Authority (NWANAA) operates the airport, with a Board of Directors responsible for building, operating, and maintaining the runways, structures, roadways, staff, and finances. As Northwest Arkansas continues to grow, the airport strives to keep pace by providing increased passenger destinations and expanded customer service.

Frequently asked questions