The Essential Air Service program, a state-funded scheme to subsidize aviation in more remote and less developed areas, already brought me to a couple of interesting places in the United States already. In February 2025, it gave me two absolutely cheap tickets for flights between Parkersburg (PKB) and Beckley (BKW), two airports in West Virginia. My first review based on that experience is Parkersburg Airport (PKB). It is typically also named Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport or MOV.
Parkersburg Airport (PKB) – Location & Transport
The airport is located some 12 miles Northeast of Pakersburg in West Virginia, quite in the middle of the city and Marietta North of the Ohio River in Ohio. There is no public transport to the airport. You more or less can only drive there, either by an own car, a rental car or a ride service like Uber. The airport does have a parking lot. There are facilities to pay parking fees. However, these were not in use during my visit, so that parking was free. The closest facilities like a gas station or a grocery store are located in the nearby village of Williamstown (WV).

Parkersburg Airport (PKB) – Connections
As said, Parkersburg Airport (PKB) is connection with Essential Air Service flights. At the time of writing, Contour Airlines is connecting to Charlotte (CLT) with a stop in Beckley (BKW). My flight was served by one of their Embraer 140 planes, which was very comfortable, regarding the flight distance. It is equivalent to my Embraer 135 experience with Contour I already shared. On weekdays, there are two daily connections in each direction.The airline has interline agreements with United, Alaska Airlines and American Airlines, so that you can transfer in Charlotte (CLT) to these airlines. Funnily, there is even a map of the walking routes in Charlotte (CLT) at Parkersburg Airport (PKB).
Arriving at Parkersburg Airport (PKB)
Arriving at Parkersburg (PKB) was rather easy. There is a ramp to exit the plane, which is also suitable for handicapped people. Next to the check-in counter, there is your luggage belt. You always arrive landside, i.e. you have to pass security again if you want to connect.
Departing from Parkersburg Airport (PKB)
The check-in desk is at one wing of the terminal building. Check-in opens two hours in advance, you typically need to ring a bell to call the agent. The check-in was very effective. As in many regional airports, the airside area is opened rather briefly before the flight. This leads to the opportunity to explore the airport, which is actually quite nice and has some minor showcases with pictures and historic information. The waiting area is nice and very fit for purpose. However, there are no work desks or similar facilities and the supply of power outlets is limited.
A special characteristic of the airport is that you get back your checked luggage. Before security screening opens at Parkersburg Airport (PKB), TSA is collecting your checked luggage and screens it through the same facilities. The airport has modern scanners which do not require to take electric devices out of your hand luggage, if you are a TSApre traveler. The airside waiting area is rather small, but absolutely fine regarding the capacity of the Contour flights. There is no airside toilet. You walk to the plane. Interestingly, boarding was done at Gate 2, before you walk through Gate 1 to the plane.
Parkersburg Airport (PKB) – Services
Parkersburg Airport (PKB) offers free WiFi. The staff was very friendly. I had an early Friday morning flight (7:40 scheduled departure). At that time, the restaurant and cafe was not open. You also can rent and return a car at the airport.
Parkersburg Airport (PKB) – My View
The Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport is a nice place. I really enjoyed being there. A bit on the downside is its remote location, leading to limited transport option. The services are nice, though.
Flyctory.com about US Aviation
Here are all Airports & Airlines postings related to the USA:

Flight Irregularities – and how Airlines handled them (September 2025)

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Food I Had Onboard XXV (July 2025)

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Food I Had Onboard XXIV (June 2025)

Food I Had Onboard XXIII (April 2025 – May 2025)

The Most Airports by Country I Have Flown To

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Food I Had Onboard XX (November 2024 – early January 2025)

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Food I Had Onboard XVII (mid-May to mid-July 2024)

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Food I Had Onboard XV (March 2024 – early April 2024)

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Food I Had Onboard XIII (End November 2023 – early January 2024)

Food I Had Onboard XII (Late October 2023 – Mid-November 2023)

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Food I Had Onboard VII (mid-February 2023 til March 2023)

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Food I Had Onboard IV (May 2022 til August 2022)

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American Airlines Flagship Lounge New York JFK (now: Greenwich Lounge)

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Flyctory.com and Iceland
Here are all my postings related to Iceland:

Flyctory.com Songs Of The Week (week of 19th September 2025)

Flyctory.com Songs Of The Week (week of 30th May 2025)

Fosshotel Reykholt

The Most Airports by Country I Have Flown To

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Flyctory.com Songs Of The Week (week of 17th January 2025)

Food I Had Onboard XX (November 2024 – early January 2025)

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Dadi Freyr – I Made An Album

Home is where the heart is – My Twelve Favorite Cities of the World

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Traveling on Iceland’s Ring Road (Day 7 – 5th May 2023) – Reykholt to Reykjavik

Traveling on Iceland’s Ring Road (Day 6 – 4th May 2023) – Akureyri to Reykholt

Traveling on Iceland’s Ring Road (Day 5 – 3rd May 2023) – Husavik to Akureyri

Traveling on Iceland’s Ring Road (Day 4 – 2nd May 2023) – Egilsstadir to Husavik

Traveling on Iceland’s Ring Road (Day 3 – 1st May 2023) – Hrafnavellir to Egilsstadir

Traveling on Iceland’s Ring Road (Day 2 – 30th April 2023) – Hella to Hrafnavellir

Traveling on Iceland’s Ring Road (Day 1 – 29th April 2023) – Germany to Hella

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Flyctory.com Songs Of The Week (week of 21 April 2023)

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Reykjavik Maritime Museum

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Viking World (Nardvik, Iceland)

Sagnheimar Natural History Museum Vestmannaeyjar

The Settlement Exhibition Reykjavik

Whales of Iceland (Reykjavik)

Vadlaheidargong Toll Tunnel and Alternatives

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Food I Had Onboard (Oct 2021 til Nov 2021)

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Car Rental Review – Procar Keflavik Airport (KEF) – Dacia Duster 4WD

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The Hits of the Trips – My Summer 2021 in Music

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