America's Best and Worst Airports
June 09, 2012; 8:11 AM
TravelandLeisure.com
The major American airport that delivers the most seamless experience isn't on any coast. It wins over fliers with shopping and dining options, the ease of check-in and security, and the friendliness typical of its city hub.
So breathe a sigh of relief if you've booked a flight through Minneapolis (MSP); Travel + Leisure readers have crowned it America's best airport.
In our first-ever airport survey, we asked readers to rate America's 22 major airports in seven categories: flight delays; design; amenities; food and drink; check-in and security; service; and transportation and location. The best-scoring airports have tackled these issues head-on, refurbishing terminals and adding amenities that make the worst airports look evermore outdated by comparison.
Case in point: T+L readers affirmed that if you're looking to avoid the worst flying experiences in the United States, bypass airports in Philadelphia and Los Angeles, which are hobbled by outdated infrastructure, overcrowding, chronic delays and demoralized staff.
You'd also be wise to time your flight as early in the day as possible and seek out alternate airports or regional airports when possible. Baltimore (BWI), for instance, ranked much higher than Washington Dulles airport, with T+L readers considering it the best airport for on-time departures. Another highly rated airport, Charlotte (CLT), got high marks for everything from Wi-Fi access to its convenient location.
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T+L readers penalized certain airports for locations that appear chosen without the advice of urban planners. Availability of public transportation could help offset a bad location; San Francisco, for instance, was acknowledged for the transit options. And if it was easy to grab a taxi, or the terminals had large and easy-to-read flight boards, that airport got points as well.
When it came time to complain, readers went beyond the issues of check-in process and baggage handling to single out the lack of play facilities for children at many airports as well as lackluster spa facilities. Travel can be stressful enough, and based on reader responses, there's a demand for more drop-in airport spas where you can get a quick neck, back, or foot massage while waiting out that flight delay.
We've collected and collated the data, and here, based on overall scores, are America's best and worst airports.
Worst:
No. 1 New York (LGA)
Courtesy of The Port Authority of NY & NJ
Dilapidated La Guardia hasn't aged well. The airport has the dubious honor of ranking the worst for the check-in and security process, the worst for baggage handling, the worst when it comes to providing Wi-Fi, the worst at staff communication, and the worst design and cleanliness. If there was a ray of hope, its location, which ranked 16th, was considered superior to six other airports.
No. 2 Los Angeles (LAX)
2007 Los Angeles World Airports
LAX ranked at the bottom of most categories-that includes location (20th), check-in and security process (21st), impression of safety standards (22nd), baggage handling (20th), staff communication (21st), and terminal cleanliness (21st). Clearly, this worn-out airport is ready for a major Hollywood makeover.
No. 3 Philadelphia (PHL)
Howard Harrison / Alamy
Philadelphia's airport is singled out for a lousy design and lack of cleanliness (20th), surly staff (20th), and long check-in and security lines (20th). The only thing worse is waiting for your bags, ranked 21st in efficiency (make that inefficiency). That its location came in at 13th is not much consolation.
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