Everyone believed landing Southwest Airlines at the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport would guarantee low air fares; And it has, but the new airport may not have the lowest rates in the Panhandle.

Last week, Northwest Florida Regional Airport in Okaloosa County sent out a marketing e-mail, advertising the lower rates than both Bay County and Pensacola, to the area's top 10 destinations.

This is just the latest shot in a sometimes bitter battle for air passengers between the Okaloosa and Bay County facilities.

It's airport wars all over again!

All three major panhandle airports; Pensacola, Panama City Beach, and Fort Walton Beach are competing for your business.

But it's the area's smallest hub, Northwest Florida Regional, that's laying claim to the best deals to the area's top 10 destinations.
Mike Stenson, the Business Development Manager for VPS says despite low cost carriers to the east and west, deals are still competitive and even cheaper at their regional airport.

"We've been telling people for quite some time to compare fares, don't automatically assume that fares are more expensive out of our airport compared to others" Stenson says.

The data from the Florida Department of Transportation, is a snap-shot of tickets booked 21 days in advance between August 5th and August 10th.

The biggest savings are on flights to San Francisco; flying out of Panama City will cost you $572 on average, whereas at VPS fares were just $377, a difference of $195.

Prices were more competitive to the area's top destination, Washington D.C, a dollar cheaper to fly out of Ft. Walton Beach at $247.

VPS says it can save you $25 on a ticket to Vegas.

Los Angeles and NYC are $26 and $44 dollars cheaper respectively.

So why is VPS suddenly able to offer cheaper fares than Southwest can, flying out of Bay County?
Because the airlines servicing VPS are getting competitive.

But you've got to plan ahead, at least 21 days in advance.
"You can usually find the best fare if you book that far out. Also, if your schedule is fairly flexible--traveling on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday can also save you some money" Stenson adds.

Another thing to consider is baggage fees.
Southwest doesn’t have them, all the other airlines do.
Also, check special airport taxes and parking rates; and don't forget how much gas you'll use driving to and from each airport.
Those fees could eat-up ticket savings, and then some, no matter which airport has the cheaper fares.

There are a number of things you should consider when flying, like non-stop flights as opposed to connecting flights, layovers and plane changes.

Also consider the size of the aircraft, like the saying goes, time is money. Being a member of one of the airlines' frequent flier clubs could also influence your decision.

Those Top 10 Destinations are as follows, in no particular order:

Phoenix
Philadelphia
Washington D.C.
Chicago
New York City
San Francisco
Las Vegas
Boston
Denver
Los Angeles