Airports Serving Benton County, Washington
Benton County, Washington sits at the heart of the Tri-Cities metropolitan region—a fast-growing area of over 320,000 residents anchored by Kennewick, Richland, and West Richland. The county's residents and businesses are served by one of the most productive regional airports in the Pacific Northwest, along with a network of general aviation facilities that support everything from agricultural operations to medical transport.
Tri-Cities Airport (PSC), the primary commercial gateway for the region, is located at 3601 N 20th Avenue in Pasco, Franklin County, just 6 miles from downtown Kennewick and approximately 10 miles from Richland. Despite sitting across the county line, PSC functions as Benton County's de facto commercial airport—the facility every Kennewick, Richland, and West Richland traveler relies on for connections to major U.S. cities. In 2025, the airport set an all-time passenger record with 975,372 travelers, its third consecutive record-setting year, a figure that reflects the Tri-Cities region's steady economic and population growth.
Five major carriers—Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines—operate out of PSC, providing 16 nonstop routes to destinations across the country. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the dominant connecting hub, with Alaska Airlines running more than 51 departures weekly from Pasco to SeaTac, giving Benton County travelers quick access to Alaska's global network. Delta serves Salt Lake City (SLC) and Minneapolis-Saint Paul (MSP), the latter route covering 1,249 miles in approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes. United connects to Denver (DEN), while American links the Tri-Cities to Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) and Los Angeles International (LAX). Allegiant rounds out the carrier mix with leisure-focused routes, including a new Orange County (SNA) service that launched February 12, 2026.
The terminal itself underwent a transformative $42 million renovation completed in January 2017, adding expanded gate areas, a modernized security checkpoint, and a redesigned baggage handling system. The result is a facility that punches well above its size class—comfortable, efficient, and capable of handling the surging passenger volumes the Tri-Cities market continues to generate. The airport covers 2,235 acres and operates three runways, with terminal hours opening two hours before the first scheduled departure each day.
Within Benton County itself, general aviation infrastructure is substantial. The Port of Benton operates Richland Airport, located 2 miles northwest of downtown Richland, which hosts approximately 173 based aircraft across two paved runways. The facility supports a fixed base operator with fuel and amenities, a local flying club, Civil Air Patrol operations, firefighting aircraft, and medical transport flights. The Port of Kennewick operates Vista Field, which serves similar general aviation purposes including law enforcement and firefighting support. Prosser Airport, also operated by the Port of Benton, extends aviation access to the county's agricultural heartland near Prosser, the county seat.
For Benton County's 218,190 residents—a population growing faster than the Washington state average—this combination of commercial and general aviation infrastructure is a meaningful economic asset. The county's median household income of $87,316 reflects a prosperous, educated workforce tied closely to energy, agriculture, technology, and federal research sectors anchored by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland. Reliable air access to Seattle, Denver, Phoenix, and beyond keeps Benton County connected to markets and opportunities far beyond the Columbia River Basin.
Whether you're a Kennewick business traveler connecting to a Delta hub in Salt Lake City, a Richland researcher flying to a conference in Minneapolis, or a West Richland family heading to a weekend in Las Vegas on Allegiant, Tri-Cities Airport delivers the frequency and carrier diversity to meet Benton County's travel demands—and the region's record-breaking passenger numbers confirm that demand is only growing.
International Airports
An international airport is a vital component of any major metropolitan area. It connects domestic and international travelers, providing them with a means to connect to the rest of the world.
An international airport is a large airport that is equipped to handle both domestic and international flights. It also has a significant economic impact on the local community.
These major Washington Airports generate thousands of jobs and contribute billions of dollars to the local economy through tourism and other related industries.
A large international airport also offers a variety of amenities for travelers. These can include shopping centers, dining options, lounges, and other services such as currency exchange and luggage storage.
Private Airports
Private airports, also known as general aviation airports, are airports that are not open to commercial airlines and are used primarily by private aircraft.
One of the main benefits of a private airport is the exclusivity and privacy it offers.
These airports are often used by high-profile individuals, such as celebrities and business executives, who value their privacy and want to avoid the crowds and security lines of commercial airports.
Private airports also offer more flexibility and convenience for aircraft owners. They can also be used for training pilots and hosting aviation events.
There are 0 Private Airport in Benton County, Washington.
Regional Airports
Regional airports are smaller airports that serve a rural geographic region, such as a smaller city or county with a population of less than 100,000.
Small airports mostly offer flights within the same country, but some may offer flights to nearby countries.
One of the main advantages of regional airports is their convenience. They also tend to have shorter security lines and fewer crowds, making the overall travel experience more enjoyable.
There are 0 Regional Airport in Benton County, Washington.
Municipal Airports
Municipal airports which are also called "public airports" are owned and run by local governments like cities and counties.
Most of the time, they are smaller airports that serve a certain area and have mostly domestic flights, but some may also have flights to nearby countries.
One of the main advantages of municipal airports is their accessibility. They are often located in or near major cities, making them a convenient option for travelers.
Municipal airports provide a vital link for businesses in the region, allowing them to easily connect to other parts of the country.
There are 0 Municipal Airport in Benton County, Washington.
Local Airports
There are 6 Local Airport in Benton County, Washington.