Last Updated on July 25, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Charleston International Airport (CHS) is the main commercial airport for Charleston and the South Carolina Lowcountry. It has a compact passenger terminal, a broad domestic network, and a small number of nonstop international routes. The airport supports business and tourism across the region, but its airline lineup changes by season, so travelers should confirm their exact date before booking.
Quick Answer
As of July 26, 2026, CHS lists Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, and United Airlines. Some routes operate seasonally or less than daily, so check the live schedule before buying a ticket.
Key Takeaways
- American, Delta, Southwest, and United provide many of the most useful hub connections from Charleston.
- Alaska, Allegiant, Avelo, Breeze, JetBlue, and Sun Country add nonstop choices that may be daily, less than daily, or seasonal.
- Current nonstop international service includes Toronto on Air Canada and Cancún on Breeze, subject to seasonal scheduling.
- British Airways no longer operates the former Charleston–London route, so Europe currently requires a connection.
- Compare the total trip cost, not just the base fare, because baggage, seat selection, and change rules vary by airline and fare type.
Airlines Currently Flying From Charleston Airport
The official CHS airline and destination directory is the best starting point for current service. The table below summarizes the passenger airlines listed there and representative nonstop routes available when this article was reviewed.
| Airline | Representative nonstop destinations | Typical service pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Air Canada | Toronto Pearson (YYZ) | Seasonal |
| Alaska Airlines | Seattle (SEA) | Daily |
| Allegiant Air | Cincinnati (CVG), Indianapolis (IND) | Less than daily or seasonal |
| American Airlines | Charlotte, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, Philadelphia, Washington Reagan; seasonal LaGuardia | Mostly daily |
| Avelo Airlines | New Haven (HVN) | Seasonal |
| Breeze Airways | Many secondary-city routes, including Hartford, Columbus, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Providence, West Palm Beach, and Cancún | Mostly less than daily or seasonal |
| Delta Air Lines | Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Minneapolis, New York JFK, New York LaGuardia | Daily |
| JetBlue | Boston, New York JFK, Fort Lauderdale | Daily or less than daily |
| Southwest Airlines | Baltimore, Chicago Midway, Dallas Love, Denver, Nashville, Houston Hobby; selected seasonal routes | Daily, less than daily, or seasonal |
| Sun Country Airlines | Minneapolis (MSP) | Seasonal |
| United Airlines | Chicago O’Hare, Denver, Houston Intercontinental, Newark, Washington Dulles | Daily |
Note: Airline and route lists can change between seasons. Always confirm the operating date on the airline’s booking site and check the CHS flight-status page close to departure.
CHS promotes more than 60 nonstop flight options, but not every destination operates every day or throughout the year.
Major Network Airlines at Charleston Airport
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines offer some of the strongest connection options from CHS. Their nonstop flights reach major hubs, making them useful even when your final destination is not served directly from Charleston.
- American Airlines: Useful for connections through Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, Philadelphia, Chicago O’Hare, and Washington Reagan. Travelers who regularly fly American or its partners may benefit from the AAdvantage program.
- Delta Air Lines: Atlanta is Delta’s most important connecting point for many Charleston travelers, with additional nonstop access to Boston, Detroit, Minneapolis, JFK, and LaGuardia. Delta’s loyalty program is SkyMiles.
- Southwest Airlines: Offers nonstop service to several major domestic markets and connecting opportunities through airports such as Baltimore, Denver, Nashville, and Chicago Midway.
- United Airlines: Connects CHS with hubs including Newark, Washington Dulles, Chicago O’Hare, Houston Intercontinental, and Denver. United’s loyalty program is MileagePlus.
Alaska Airlines also provides an important long-distance nonstop to Seattle, while JetBlue offers useful service to Boston and New York JFK. The best network airline depends on your destination, schedule, connection time, fare rules, and loyalty benefits.
Low-Cost and Low-Fare Airlines at Charleston Airport
Charleston has several fare-focused airlines, but their schedules and fee structures differ. Allegiant Air, Avelo Airlines, and Breeze Airways often use less-than-daily or seasonal schedules. Southwest and JetBlue may also compete well on total trip cost, even though their service models differ from ultra-low-cost carriers.
When comparing a low base fare, add the cost of everything you need:
- Carry-on and checked baggage
- Seat selection
- Priority boarding
- Change or cancellation flexibility
- Food and onboard extras
- Transportation costs at the arrival airport
Pro Tip: Compare the final checkout total for the same dates and baggage needs. A higher advertised fare can be cheaper overall when it includes a carry-on, checked bag, seat assignment, or better change terms.
Older Charleston travel articles may name Spirit Airlines or Frontier Airlines as current CHS options. Neither appears in the airport’s current nonstop airline directory at the time of this review. Because airline service can restart or end quickly, verify live bookable flights rather than relying on an older route list.
International Airlines and Nonstop International Flights
| Airline | Current nonstop international destination | Service note |
|---|---|---|
| Air Canada | Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) | Seasonal |
| Breeze Airways | Cancún International Airport (CUN) | Less than daily; verify travel dates |
CHS currently offers limited nonstop international service compared with a major gateway airport. Air Canada’s Toronto route can also provide onward connections within Canada and to other destinations. Breeze’s Cancún route gives Charleston travelers a nonstop leisure option to Mexico on selected dates.
British Airways operated a seasonal nonstop route between Charleston and London Heathrow in 2019, but that service did not return after the pandemic disruption and is not a current CHS route. Travelers heading to London, Paris, Rome, Frankfurt, or other European cities must connect through another airport.
Note: A destination may be international even when the flight is short. Passengers should still check passport, visa, entry, and return-travel requirements for Canada or Mexico before departure.
Regional Airlines and Operating Carriers at Charleston Airport
Regional airline branding can be confusing. A ticket may display American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, or United Airlines even when a regional partner operates the aircraft under a brand such as American Eagle, Delta Connection, or United Express. The operating carrier is shown during booking and on the confirmation.
The older article named Silver Airways, Piedmont Airlines, and Contour Airlines as separate options from Charleston. CHS does not currently list Silver Airways or Contour Airlines in its passenger-airline directory. Piedmont is an American Airlines regional subsidiary, so any Piedmont-operated service is generally sold as an American Eagle itinerary rather than as a separate Charleston airline choice.
Check the aircraft, operating carrier, connection time, and carry-on limits before booking a regional flight. Smaller aircraft may have less overhead-bin space, and larger carry-ons may need to be checked at the gate.
Amenities and Airline Services at Charleston Airport
Most airline services at CHS are available through the airline’s website or mobile app, including check-in, boarding passes, seat changes, baggage tracking, and flight alerts. At the airport, travelers can use free Wi-Fi, charging outlets, dining and shopping, animal-relief areas, luggage carts, and Guest Services.
The Club CHS is a shared-use premium lounge in the main concourse. It is not operated by or affiliated with a specific airline. Access may be available through eligible lounge memberships or a paid day pass, subject to current capacity and rules.
Travelers with disabilities or medical needs can review the airport’s accessibility services. TSA Cares recommends contacting the program at least 72 hours before travel when screening assistance is needed.
COVID-era cleaning claims in older airline articles are no longer a useful way to compare carriers. Travelers with specific health concerns should check the current airport, TSA, and airline policies that apply on their travel date.
How to Choose the Right Airline From Charleston
Start With the Best Route
A nonstop flight usually saves time and reduces the chance of a missed connection or delayed checked bag. When no nonstop is available, compare connecting hubs, layover length, and the number of daily backup flights.
Compare the Total Price
Do not compare base fares alone. Review baggage, seat, boarding, and change costs before paying. The U.S. Department of Transportation airline dashboard can also help travelers compare airline commitments for controllable delays, cancellations, and family seating.
Check Schedule Frequency
A route that operates once or twice a week may be convenient when everything runs on time, but it can provide fewer recovery options after a cancellation. Daily routes and hub flights usually offer more alternatives.
Review Baggage and Seat Rules
Basic-economy and low-fare tickets may limit seat selection, changes, upgrades, or carry-on baggage. Read the rules for the exact fare class instead of relying on a general description of the airline.
Consider Loyalty and Credit-Card Benefits
Frequent-flyer status or an airline credit card may provide free bags, priority boarding, lounge access, or better earning. These benefits are valuable only when they match the airline and fare you are actually booking.
Look at the Operating Airport
Some destinations have more than one airport. Compare ground transportation, parking, public transit, and the distance to your final destination. A cheap ticket to a farther airport can cost more after transportation is added.
Making the Most of Your Travel Experience at Charleston Airport
Use the CHS terminal map before your trip, check in online, and monitor the flight in the airline app. TSA generally advises travelers to arrive about two hours before a domestic departure, with extra time for holidays, early-morning crowds, checked baggage, parking, or special assistance.
Travelers age 18 or older should carry a TSA-accepted ID. Since May 7, 2025, a noncompliant state driver’s license or identification card is not accepted by itself at the checkpoint. Review the current TSA identification list before leaving home.
Warning: Do not rely on an old airline list for a time-sensitive trip. Confirm that the route is bookable on your dates, then recheck the flight status before traveling to the airport.
For a long flight or layover, comfort items can make the trip easier. This guide to Merino wool travel socks explains why odor-resistant socks may be useful in a travel bag.
Frequently Asked Questions
What airlines fly out of Charleston, South Carolina?
CHS currently lists Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, and United Airlines. Some service is seasonal or less than daily.
Which major hubs can I reach nonstop from CHS?
Major nonstop hub options include Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston Intercontinental, Miami, Minneapolis, Newark, New York JFK, Philadelphia, and Washington-area airports. Availability depends on the airline and travel date.
Can I fly internationally from Charleston without a connection?
Yes. The current CHS directory lists seasonal Air Canada service to Toronto and less-than-daily Breeze service to Cancún. Always verify that the route operates on your dates.
Are there direct flights from Charleston to Europe?
No current nonstop Europe route is listed by CHS. British Airways operated Charleston–London Heathrow service in 2019, but that route is no longer active. European trips require a connection.
Do Spirit or Frontier currently fly from Charleston?
Neither airline appears in the current CHS nonstop airline directory reviewed on July 26, 2026. Older airport pages, airline landing pages, or travel articles may still mention them, so use live booking results and the CHS flight-status page to confirm any renewed service.
Which low-cost airlines operate at Charleston Airport?
Allegiant, Avelo, and Breeze are the clearest low-cost or low-fare options currently listed by CHS. Southwest and JetBlue may also be price-competitive depending on baggage needs, route, and fare rules.
How early should I arrive at Charleston Airport?
A practical target is about two hours before a domestic flight. Allow more time during holidays, busy morning periods, construction, severe weather, or when checking bags, parking, or requesting assistance.
Does Charleston Airport have an airline lounge?
CHS has The Club CHS, a shared-use lounge in the main concourse. It is not affiliated with one airline. Access rules, memberships, day-pass pricing, and capacity can change, so check the airport lounge page before travel.
Sources
- Charleston International Airport: Airlines & Flights — current airline roster, nonstop destinations, and service frequency.
- Charleston International Airport: Flight Status — live arrivals and departures.
- Charleston International Airport: Terminal Map — terminal layout and passenger facilities.
- Charleston International Airport: Amenities & Lounge — airport services and The Club CHS.
- Transportation Security Administration: Acceptable Identification — current checkpoint identification rules.
- U.S. Department of Transportation: Airline Customer Service Dashboard — airline commitments for disruptions and family seating.
