Charleston is served by Charleston International Airport (CHS), the busiest airport in South Carolina and a rapidly growing gateway for tourism. It receives a solid network of domestic arrivals from major hubs and popular cities, with increasing service from both network and low-cost carriers. For travelers headed to the historic Lowcountry, CHS is the most convenient option, but fares can be higher during peak tourist seasons (spring and fall).
The most important arrival routes into Charleston come from key airline hubs. Top origin cities include Atlanta (ATL) on Delta, Charlotte (CLT) on American, New York (LGA, EWR, JFK) on multiple carriers, Chicago (ORD) on United and American, and Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) on American. Charleston also receives direct arrivals from popular leisure cities like Orlando (MCO), Washington D.C. (DCA, IAD), Boston (BOS), and seasonal services from other destinations like Denver and Las Vegas.
Charleston International is served by all major U.S. carriers. Delta Air Lines and American Airlines have significant operations due to their nearby hubs in Atlanta and Charlotte, making those routes particularly competitive. Southwest Airlines and JetBlue provide important competition on many routes from New York, Washington D.C., Boston, and Chicago, often offering free checked bags (Southwest) or lower change fees. United Airlines and low-cost carriers Frontier and Allegiant also operate flights, with Frontier often offering the lowest base fares from Denver and Orlando.
To secure cheap flights to Charleston, book domestic arrivals 3–6 weeks in advance. For leisure destinations (e.g., from Orlando, Denver, or Las Vegas), book Southwest, JetBlue, Frontier, or Allegiant flights 2–3 months ahead for the best deals. Use flight comparison tools and set price alerts. Flying into Charleston on weekdays (Tuesday–Thursday) is typically cheaper than weekends. For destinations not served directly (or for international travelers coming from outside the US), connecting through Atlanta (ATL) or Charlotte (CLT) is common and usually affordable — Delta and American have very frequent service from these hubs. Charleston's growing popularity means fares can be high during peak tourist seasons (March–May and September–November), so early booking is strongly advised. JetBlue and Southwest often provide the best value for non-stop travel from the Northeast.