Northwest Arkansas National Airport has received another bit of national recognition, earning a nomination for USA Today’s 2026 10Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best Small Airport.

XNA is one of 20 airports nationwide selected by a panel of USA Today travel experts and editors for the competition. The winner will be determined by public voting, with people allowed to cast one vote per day through Oct. 5. Winners are scheduled to be announced Oct. 14.

USA Today lists all 20 nominated airports, or voters can go directly to XNA’s page to cast a vote.

USA Today does not publish live voting results, but voters can see their chosen airport’s current ranking after casting a vote. As of Thursday afternoon, XNA ranked No. 2.

The Readers’ Choice nomination comes as XNA continues to experience rapid growth. The airport handled about 1.26 million departing passengers in 2025, and passenger traffic has continued to climb in 2026.

USA Today highlighted some of the features that distinguish XNA, including its range of nonstop destinations.

The recognition arrives at a time when the airport is undergoing a major expansion to keep pace with Northwest Arkansas’ growth. XNA is preparing to begin construction on a new concourse that will add five net new gates, while additional terminal and parking improvements are also in the works.

XNA has grown from a regional facility into Arkansas’ busiest passenger airport, and the USA Today nomination adds another national recognition as the airport continues to expand.