Valley International Airport - HRL

No issues with this airport. Super small, but I like it. Quick walk to baggage claim and rental cars are in the same section.

So I handled my business securing rental car waiting for my bag... worked out pretty slick. Right when I got my keys... my bag was coming around carousel... Minimal wait time.

It's a small airport but nice and fast. It was easier to come through here on my travels. The bar made me a fire mixed drink. Security was easy.

Airport

Decent airport located in Harlingen, TX

Served by at least 5 airlines, this was a bit of an unexpected bonus considering it is small and the overall location.

Small main terminal where you enter to check in with your airline or drop your bags. head up through security and the place is split into two wings with four gates each.

Considering the small size, there are plenty of food and beverage options available - again surprising and unexpected.

Place was clean and there is a nice fountain in the main lobby. Restrooms were clean and good sized.

Not a bad airport if you are in this area.

Small great airport. Security is very fast. Highly recommended for south padre . Airlines that fly here are Southwest, Delta, American, Sun Country, United.

Super easy to arrive and depart from. Had no issues and would not hesitate to fly to/from here again.

This is a little small regional airport that serves a purpose. I don't mind it at all actually. It's clean, could use some more power outlets but overally it's nice.

But the food. The food offerings are just so terrible I have to eat before getting to this airport.

Every time I try and get a smoothie they're out of something. They only offer breaded meals, which I don't really eat bread, so I'm not wasting my cheat meal on airport sandwiches.

It's just shameful how this airport can't have better selections of food.

Anyway, back to the airport itself. It's fine. One terminal. United leaves from the same place. Serves it's purpose and I like it. Just please, bring in a taco truck a Chicago hot dog guy. Something. Anything else than what's there.

I come here once a year and every year something new is added. This time they've added a vending machine which is a good addition. I appreciate this airport because it's always clean. I also like how they have some thought provoking art made from plastic pollution found on South Padre beaches. It raises awareness to each individual and the importance of keeping beaches clean.

Pack your patience. The escalator going up does not work. If you are TSA pre approved it does not matter, lady checking ID's kept letting all others first. Water fountain is not working in front lt of gate 5. Asked the restaurant and they said there aren't any working.

"Two peas in a pod" airports - 2 of 2

This is the other airport where South Texas meets Mexico, although this airport is one major city up from the international border ... in Harlingen. Its code is HRL.

This airport is billed as Valley International Airport. That valley would be the Rio Grande Valley. Which seems funny to me because, for miles and miles, the area is pancake flat. A local of Hispanic extraction explained the etymology to me and it seemed plausible. He said that early German settlers put forth this description to their compatriots in the old country to entice them with the weather, the fertile soil, and abundant space. That there's some sort of a valley way further up the Rio Grande, with something that looks like the sides of a valley next to a river, might be valid. But that topography would be quite far from Harlingen!

I'm not an expert on this airport but, having used Harlingen a couple of times, it made me laugh. With quatrefoils in its exterior facade, I thought I was visiting a tacky shopping mall in Southern California. And, with a quatrefoil shaped fountain in its main lobby, I thought I was visiting one of Fr. Junipero Serra's missions in the Golden State as well.

Actually, everything here works fairly well and it feels spacious for what it's supposed to be and do. The baggage claim area has two belts. Check-in was easy and those employees were friendly. It's clean inside and the air conditioning has thankfully worked like a charm. TSA, just up the escalators from the funky fountain, went smoothly and they displayed a good attitude. But, best of all, the seating areas in front of the gates upstairs are fairly generously sized and breathe nicely.

Sure, it's a little kitsch, but Harlingen is a good airport. The extra star I've tacked on over BRO is because low cost Southwest Airlines comes into HRL. Your (vehicular) route to the island (SPI) won't be as linear as if you had used BRO, but it's not that much more of a hassle.

I never really thought of reviewing an airport, yet VIA is a very small airport in South Texas and it is fantastic. It is clean, with great signage. They have a great little cafe and solid technology. I was flying from VIA to Las Vegas and was surprised haw many people were flying from this airport. My rental car pickup and drop off was simple.