✈️ Why I Built AirportMix!

Originally published July 21, 2025 · Updated September 2026

I used to fly a lot. For work, short breaks, family visits — and almost every time I booked a flight, I ran into the same frustration.

Contents

• The flight search problem
• The idea behind AirportMix
• How AirportMix works
• The difference is in the details
• Frequently Asked Questions

Flight search engines weren’t actually smart.

They showed flights — but I often still had to do the hard work myself. Nearby airports meant running extra searches, comparing different airlines and trying to work out whether saving money was worth the extra travel time.

What I really wanted to know was:

What’s the best balance between time, money, flexibility and convenience for this trip?

After running into the same problem over and over again, I realized something had to change. So I built my own solution. Welcome to AirportMix.

The idea behind AirportMix

Most travellers start by searching one airport at a time. Amsterdam to Bali. London to Rome. New York to Madrid.

But that assumes the obvious airport is also the right airport. Often, there are relevant alternatives nearby.

A traveller starting around Amsterdam, for example, may also have useful flight options from Eindhoven or Rotterdam. At the destination, choosing another nearby airport can open up different airlines, schedules and prices too.

The same principle applies to return journeys. Sometimes flying back through a different nearby airport can create a more interesting combination than simply repeating the outbound route in reverse.

These are the types of airport combinations AirportMix is designed to uncover automatically.

How AirportMix works

• 🔍 Compares relevant nearby departure and arrival airports in one search
• 🛫 Brings different airlines, routes and airport combinations together
• 💶 Lets you compare options by price, travel time and other flight details
• ✨ Highlights interesting alternatives through AirportMix recommendations and Smart Pick
• 🔄 Can identify Mix & Match combinations for return trips
• 🔐 Lets you review and book your selected flight through AirportMix

AirportMix is built for travellers who want to fly smarter — not simply choose the first route that appears.

New to AirportMix? Learn how it works →

Want to understand how comparing nearby airports works? Read the full airport comparison guide →

From flight search tool to booking platform

AirportMix originally started with one goal: make it easier to discover flight options from nearby airports without opening endless browser tabs and repeating the same search.

But finding an interesting route is only part of the journey. I wanted the experience to continue after the comparison as well.

Today, AirportMix brings the process together in one place: search nearby airports, compare the available options, choose your preferred flight and continue through the AirportMix booking process.

Before payment, the selected flight is rechecked for current price and availability. You can review the itinerary, passenger details and total price before completing the booking. After a successful booking, AirportMix sends your confirmation by email.

The difference is in the details

AirportMix isn’t just about saving €40 on a ticket. It’s about making better-informed travel decisions:

• Do I leave from Eindhoven if it offers a lower fare?
• Or Schiphol if the schedule is more convenient?
• Does arriving at Charleroi make more sense than Brussels?
• Would a different nearby airport create a better return option?
• Is the cheapest flight still worthwhile if it takes several hours longer?

Sometimes the most interesting route is not the obvious one.

“More airports. More possibilities. One smarter search.”

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by flight options, unsure whether another nearby airport could offer something better, or stuck manually comparing airports and airlines — AirportMix was built for exactly that problem.

Looking for inspiration before you search? Explore routes travellers can compare with AirportMix:

👉 Browse popular routes →

AirportMix is built by someone who has booked the wrong airport, overpaid for convenience, underestimated transfer times, and learned that airport choice can completely change a trip.

That original frustration is still what drives AirportMix today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was AirportMix created?

AirportMix was created to make it easier to compare nearby airports and different flight options without repeating the same search manually for each airport.

What makes AirportMix different from a traditional flight search?

AirportMix focuses on comparing relevant nearby departure and arrival airports automatically, helping travellers discover airlines, routes and airport combinations they might otherwise overlook.

Can AirportMix compare airports close by?

Yes. AirportMix compares relevant nearby airports within approximately 135 km when alternatives are available, helping travellers explore more flight options in one search.

Can I book flights through AirportMix?

Yes. Once you select a flight, AirportMix rechecks the offer and lets you review your itinerary, passenger details and total price before completing your booking and payment.

What is Mix & Match?

For some return searches, AirportMix can identify an alternative using separate outbound and return flight offers. These can involve different airports or airlines and are separate bookings. AirportMix clearly identifies this before checkout so you can decide whether the combination works for you.

✈️ Ready to see which airports AirportMix finds for your trip? Search flights with AirportMix →