Savannah Hilton Head International Airport

Hello to the airport the serves the southern most city of the south, well before it becomes florida. Savannah Hilton Head separates itself from other airports by having its own small town feel to it.
It’s my first time coming here, so I pay attention to some of the details that make this airport unique. I could tell that the Terminal has just been redone. It’s really nice, with its new modern/​traditional feel and design is really cool. It feels like a modern train station with the floating old school clock. Tons of natural lighting from the glass roof makes it energy efficient as well.
Anyways, just a quick reminder. This is still an airport the only thing they require you to do is show up early enough to cover all the bases. And «NO» the airport employees together with the airline employees did not wake up this morning because they knew you were flying today. None of these people think you’re that important to mess your day up today. Because the only one that can really mess your day up is yourself. Specially in an airport.
So please, if you can’t quit complaining about what goes on in there when you come through. Trust me, they would rather have you drive instead of dealing with a grown child.
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This airport is horrible, you have security and police officers more concern with parking than cars speeding through the airport terminals about to hit people. As soon as a car pulls up they running giving warnings but not warning these cars about speeding…

This small airport is easy to get to, the security lines never seem to be long, and there’s a decent selection of restaurants and shops within the gate area and beyond. I fly — often — and it’s always nice to spend time in this small, slower paced airport.

A perfect sized airport, not too big and not too small. My most recent flight out of Savannah was easy and painless. I love that they have a few restaurants you can sit, eat and relax before security if you have time, and after security if waiting for a ride. Even the security workers (who usually seem grumpy and annoyed at most airports) were delightful and helpful.

The absolute WORST time to get bags from flight! Now waiting 30 minutes since arrived at baggage claim — no signs of any action — also plane had to wait 10 min in front of empty gate!

This airport is adorable. Small enough to not be overwhelming. Not so small to not offer a variety of food and drink and shops. Usually The American flights I take in and out of here are the small ones (a row of one seats on one side of the plane and two seats on the other) with no overhead space. There are a few locations throughout the terminal where you can plug in your phone or laptop and work. And then most of the gates have one charging station for your phone. Very clean (not sure how new it is, but it feels new to me!)

I didn’t know there existed an airport that didn’t have to evoke anxiety upon entry. Savannah’s airport is tiny and beautiful and orderly. With a bright and clean layout, it’s comfortable to wait in. Security is straightforward. Lots of charging stations. If only there were a way to scale this up for larger airports!
Ps– there are rocking chairs!
Pps– there’s a special exit that, if requested, an über will pick you up at.

Small airport with limited vendors after the security gate check in.
Might want to plan on eating before getting to the airport since your options are limited.
Bathrooms are clean. Staff is nice. Wifi is free.

Clean airport with fast security lines, but what takes so long at baggage claim? Compared to other airports it’s a joke!

As long as you don’t want a good meal and have a back up plan for when Delta cancels your flight, Savannah-​Hilton Head Airport is really nice.
The check-​in areas are a breeze. It is also nice that they have a small courtyard of shops and eats with benches before you reach security, making it nice for those who are saying goodbye to friends and family.
The security line is efficient, and the terminal itself is clean with ample seating areas. The lack of decent food options is the only miss.

This is a cute little airport. Decent amenities and fairly well kept up. Being a small airport helps as everything is fairly close by. My only note would be that if you have to check bags and return cars and don’t have expedited access through security maybe give yourself a little extra time. It’s usually very sleepy and quiet but during the holiday season, say, on a weekend it can get a bit crowdy.

Great airport, super clean, super nice and just overall you got great southern hospitality from this airport, the people at Delta Airlines were very kind. It’s a small airport but a beautiful one, didn’t stay long just a quick in and out but overall the airport was great, I didn’t smell any nasty cigarette smoke and they had nice shops. Definitely will use this airport again.

Easy to get to from I 95 or 170. Has so many possibilities. Only a few airlines fly here directly. You can use United from Newark and Chicago, US Airways from Charlotte and Philadelphia, Delta from Atlanta, JFK and LGA and jetBlue from JFK. I’m guessing USAirways/​American also have flights from DFW as well. There’s a Passport Club which acts like an airline club for those who have airline club memberships. Many different shops and restaurants. TSA Pre. Rental cars onsite. Very clean and quiet.

You’d never know this was a single terminal regional airport. Well, you’d know — it’s a single terminal — but it sure doesn’t feel like it.
From the single and politely trafficked curb, you’ll pass a well staffed ticketing counter to shimmy-​shake your way in to a replica Savannah square, replete with administrative offices behind second story terraces and a first floor food court in compartmentalized business nooks. Philips Crab Shack, a gelato joint, a Pizza Hut — it’s not exactly gourmet, but offers a pinch of variety in what could easily be a barren wasteland of options. Plop down in a rocking chair and watch a little TV before your flight. You’ve got time.
TSA features Pre-​Check, and there’s a Dewars Clubhouse beyond security, as well as a cornucopia of power outlets to keep you iConnected. Ultra clean, mostly streamlined and the one concourse is flooded with natural light. A real charmer!

Tiny airports tend to be the best ones, if for no other reason than the fact that your gate? IT’S RIGHT THERE!
No shuttles, no people movers, no trains, no problem!
The Savannah Airport is even smaller than most of the ones that I’m used to, but has a lot of charm. The main lobby area has a big skylight that makes it seem open and airy, with some newstands/​shops, a salon, a full-​service restaurant (Phillip’s) and a couple fast-​casual joints (Nathan’s Hot Dog, Pizza Hut, and a froyo place).
TSA can take a little while at low-​volume times because there was only one line open, but your gate is literally right on the other side so who cares if it takes an extra 5 or 10 minutes to scan your laptop?
This is the definition of a no-​frills airport, but it is clean, well-​maintained, and what else do you really need?

The good —
Small airport, no problem getting to any of the gates, clean. TSA is reasonable too — I brought back some bulk coarse Himalayan salt from the salt table and never seen something tested so many times — literally three different tests on two separate bags. It might be my hallucination but at other airports I would imagine them just asking me to throw it out than go through that process.
The bad —
The WiFi is terrible. I have been here when it works and I have been here delayed for six hours into a cancelled flight when I cannot connect at all. Yes, there is a sign saying they are aware and going to upgrade but right now it is not helping.
Also, and this is the bigger issue, whether it is just the EWR/​SAV run or this case in general I have never had no many cancellations, delays, etc, be it for weather (okay, I can understand that) or for who knows what (which drives you crazy when, especially United, does really tell you what is going on with any kind of advance warning)
Cab service is readily available but kind of hit and miss on quality. On a recent run back to downtown the driver must have been imagining his van was a DeLorean with a flux capacitor installed and was hoping to get me there before we left.

Nice for a smallish airport. The tarmac is large since it’s an international airport so you may find your plane taxi-​ying around for longer than you would think, but you’ll almost never have to wait to take off like you will in NYC airports.
The terminal itself is quite managable. The entrance to security is beyond a Savannah-​like town square with a few shops and restaurants. Beyond security there are more small shops, a few fast food places, and a Starbucks.
They do have pre-​check, but it’s hardly every open. They will give you a card that allows you to keep most of your clothing on. There is a small airport club (see my other review) Free wifi too!
A relaxing experience that matches the vibe of the city it supports.

SAV:
For a small airport, Savannah/​Hilton Head International Airport is pretty nice. This airport has improved dramatically since the 80s and 90s, when it was known as just Savannah International Airport. Presumably because well over one-​third of its passengers are bound for Hilton Head, «Hilton Head» was added to the airport’s official name.
Airlines that fly into/​out of Savannah include American, Delta, JetBlue, United, and US Airways. There are currently 13 non-​stop destinations: Dallas/​Fort Worth, Atlanta, Detroit, New York (LaGuardia and JFK), Boston, Chicago-O’Hare, Houston, Newark, DC (Dulles and Reagan), Charlotte, and Philadelphia. There’s only one terminal and it has 15 gates. The first level of the airport is for arrivals/​baggage claim and the second level is for departures/​check-​in.
The airport is clean, comfortable, and, in my experience, relatively quiet. The main waiting area/​shops and restaurant section of the airport is known as «Savannah Square.» It’s the highlight of the facility. It’s located on level 2 just outside the security checkpoint. The spacious Square has natural lighting thanks to a 100% window ceiling, a large hanging clock in the center, traditional looking arrival and departure boards, plants, benches, and rocking chairs. The whole look and feel of the place appears to have been designed to somewhat resemble a European train station.
Restaurants and retailers at the Square include The Paradies Shops (airport concessions), a PGA Tour Shop (only natural given the amount of golf in the surrounding area), Phillip’s Seafood, Nathan’s Famous hot dogs, Pino Gelato, Pizza Hut, a cigar shop, salon, and a Starbucks. Outside of the Square, towards the exit and near the check-​in counters, is an Airport Art Gallery. The gallery has its own room filled with walls of interesting art, put on by the Savannah Art Association.
A parking deck was added in 2007. There’s an economy deck and a long term/​hourly deck. I’ve used the latter and the parking rates are reasonable (e.g. $ 1 per hour). Here’s a photo I took of the rates at the long term/​hourly deck:
What I like most about the four-​story deck is at the entrance and at multiple points on every level, there are digital signs that let you know how many spaces are available and where. How convenient. Like the airport itself, the parking deck is quite clean. Even the cigarette disposals are low profile and aesthetically pleasing.
If you get a chance to walk around outside, be sure to check out the small courtyard which is connected directly in front of the entrances to both levels 1 and 2. There’s a fountain, statue, and benches. It’s a nice little spot to relax and get some fresh air.
Overall, Savannah and Hilton Head have a good airport.

This is a very clean, very well appointed airport with friendly staff to be found all around. This, of course, does not include the TSA nazi’s. They are as bad hear as anywhere.
That said, the rest of the airport rocks. The parking is easy. The rental car area is very accessible and you are in and out in no time. Even the Nathan’s hot dog place came complete with very courteous service and a mighty fine hot dog.
Five Stars for this airport!

Let me tell you what is awesome about this airport, and how lucky I was to have this as my home airport for four years … It’s compact. There’s 12 gates and a parking garage attached to the terminal.
SAV is clean, bright, pretty and easy to maneuver. There are a couple places to eat and a Starbucks before security, and a lovely «lobby» with rocking chairs for folks to wait for any arriving visitors (or returning soldiers). Security is efficient — I’ve been through this one dozens of times. Sometimes it will be very busy. .. Savannah is a tourist area and as its name discloses it is also the entry point for Hilton Head. Monday mornings can be loaded with older groups of golfers going home and probability only go through an airport twice a year. There are a few places to eat after security, and a flip flop store, as well as a Starbucks.
Baggage claim downstairs is relatively quick. As I said, there’s only 12 gates so not a long wait for the luggage to make it’s way to you.
This is a lovely little airport that serves as a great entry point for the Hostess City.