I couldn’t care less what an airport looks like.
Videos by TravelAwaits
What matters most to me is efficiency, organization, and good weather.
If I have time, I’ll explore the arts exhibits and duty-free shops, and maybe even grab a kitschy souvenir. Still, my focus is (overwhelmingly) on getting from Point A to Point B with as few delays as possible.
Despite my focus on utility, beauty does exist at airports.
From Atlanta Airport’s gorgeous Flight Paths project from Steve Waldeck to Singapore’s in-airport jungle called the Jewel, artists around the world have helped inspire travelers at even the most hectic airports.
Even in terms of architecture, you can find gems out there—from JFK’s TWA Hotel to Denver’s tipi-inspired façade.
But let’s think smaller for a second. A recent Instagram post from Shel Breese (@shelbreese) confirmed the whispers I’ve been hearing for close to a decade: the US’s most beautiful airport is Bozeman Yellowstone Airport.
As soon as you land and deboard, you’ll feel like you’re in a stately mountain cabin. One with a mountain view that you’d pay thousands for at a hotel.
[Unfortunately, security protocols make it hard to find images of Bozeman Yellowstone Airport. Below, you’ll notice mostly exterior images. Thankfully, the airport has a stellar gallery that lets you explore its look from various eras. Enjoy them here.]
Welcome to the airport that feels like a cabin
The Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport might look new, but it’s been around since the first passenger landed in 1942.
The grounds got a facelift in 2011 when Prugh & Lenon Architects took over the project. The next year in 2012, the airport set up a small customs section to allow for international flights.
Currently, Bozeman Yellowstone is undergoing another expansion that will add three new baggage carousels, more security checkpoints, and more gates.
The good news is that these changes aren’t expected to impact the cabin-like atmosphere in the airport.
Natural wood and stone features dominate the main areas and gates, along with the vaulted ceiling, which gives the facility an artisanal quality that you usually don’t see at an airport.
It’s warm, it’s Montana-themed, and it fits well with the mountain views right outside the windows. And speaking of mountain views, in the main waiting area, you’ll find massive windows that overlook the Rockies. There’s even a stone firepit where you can gear up for your next adventure.
But does the airport offer a good experience?
Visitors describe this airport as ‘beautiful’ and ‘quaint’—which I think is a great description.
But how does it actually run? Remember: this is a very small and remote airport in a region of the US where two-hour drives are considered normal.
Here are a few tips from passengers who landed in and/or departed from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport:
- Plan to rent a car straight from the airport, as Ubers aren’t readily available. If the weather looks snowy, pay more for a snow-friendly rental.
- Speaking of snow and inclement weather, ice and snow delays are common in winter; plan accordingly.
- The baggage claim can be a bit slow when multiple flights arrive; remember, ground crew is limited at small airports.
- Car rental lines can also get long during peak hours; some travelers recommend grabbing the car rental while waiting for bags at the carousel.
- On the other hand, security lines tend to be non-existent, even during peak hours.
- Some passengers don’t like that the airport doesn’t have any lounges; others insist the large windows in the main terminal are perfect for relaxing.
- Be on the lookout for dinosaur fossils; there are a few models stationed around the airport.
Destinations around Bozeman Yellowstone Airport
For anyone heading to areas around Bozeman, from Yellowstone to Big Sky to Beartrap Canyon, don’t settle for a re-route to Missoula International Airport (MSO), Billings Logan Airport (BIL), or Glacier Park Airport (FCA).
At Bozeman Yellowstone Airport, your vacation starts the second you get off the plane. As a bonus, it’s not difficult to find flights to and from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport.
Between 2020 and 2021, Bozeman Yellowstone Airport landed on the radar of travelers—and airlines followed. Since then, Allegiant Air, Alaska Airlines, Avelo Airlines, and Southwest Airlines have offered regular service. Many offer non-stop routes between select cities, as well.
