The Best and Worst Airports of 2022
 

From Oakland to Sactown
The Bay Area and back down
Cali is where they put they mack down!

So Houston has the most convenient and least convenient airports? I’m actually not surprised. I’ll inconvenience myself to fly out of Hobby rather than IAH.

So it's pretty much just using flight delays? Then the NYC and DC airports will always be on the bottom, bc they're the only airports with federal flight restrictions, which forces delays.

The article makes it sound like they're considering dumb stuff like "yoga rooms". Which wouldn't make sense, as LGA is probably the most amenitized airport in the U.S., given its a few months old, and stuffed with Manhattan-centric traveler amenities.

Airport ratings are dumb. The experiences are vastly different depending on terminal, time of year, airline, etc.

IMO, LAX and IAH have no business being near the top of any convenience list. Any airport that lacks a direct transit connection to the CBD while also being far away from it (let's arbitrarily say >7 miles) is not convenient. Every airport below IAH, with the exception of MCO, is more convenient than LAX and IAH. Additionally, LAX in particular is lacking in terms of dining options, especially in the TBIT.

Also, in what world is Dulles (IAD) considered a midsized airport?

I've been to MSP and it's got nothing on DTW.

Atlanta airport at number 2 is a surprise. Never been because I've avoided it, but I've never heard any good things about ATL.

Toronto (Pearson) is just fucking horrible, despite the outrageous fees charged.

Pre pandemic, all the best airports were in Asia (e.g., Incheon, in Seoul).

Detroit is a great airport, super easy to connect through.

ATL can have atrocious security lines, but it is a breeze for making connecting flights. The terminal design is super efficient, although super crowded too. I'd take a layover and connection in ATL over CLT or IAD any day.

DTW would also be knocked down from the top on this criteria. However, it is one of the most pleasant airports to wait for a flight IMO. I agree about LAX being an odd choice, though. It has to be one of the most uncomfortable airports to wait for a flight.

I don't know about most amenitized... I think JFK still has it beat. BUT they worked an absolute miracle in transforming that airport. I flew from LGA last week for the first time in a couple of years. The changes were shocking.

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Where to Eat at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Summer 2022

That's a great counterpoint! DTW is one of my favorite American airports. I haven't flown into it since 2007 (this will change next October), when I was 12 and the airline flying us there was Northwest; however, I still remember how nice that airport was. I loved the Northwest monorail, which is likely Delta's now!


I flew into LAX in November 2021 and July 2022 (LAX-PHL and SMF-LAX-PHL, respectively). I flew into and out of the TBIT my first time there and Terminal 4 during my connection. On both occasions, the large Han Dynasty restaurant was closed, and the only option available was the food court. Umami Burger and the pizza place within the food court were also closed on both occasions. Although my fiancée and I found food in Terminal 4 (a sit-down pizza place), it was underwhelming compared to the options available at PHL.

Maybe I'd have a better food experience at LAX if I fly in via a different airline next time?

I knew SFO would be #1 among the big airports. It's fairly easy to navigate and has really top shelf amenities like 2 Hermes boutiques. LOL.

Fort Lauderdale is a circle of hell, I absolutely hate that airport.

Laguardia is disgusting.

Laguardia is not disgusting

ATL was clearly designed to be an airport primarily where the vast majority of people using it are just changing planes. It is fine in that regard. But it's a pretty terrible experience for people whose trips start/end in Atlanta. The security lines are always atrocious because everyone is funneled into one checkpoint.

Yes it is, and so is JFK.

No it isn't

JFK's T4 is one of the best terminals in the country. The other terminals at JFK suck. LGA is not disgusting anymore, but it was before they rebuilt the terminals.

I always liked La Guardia because being there meant I was in New York! I suppose if I lived there I might feel differently. Also LGA is close in. JFK is too far away and EWR is just weird to me.

LGA, at least the physical plant, is probably the nicest airport in the U.S.

I mean, it's a few months old. Any brand new airport is gonna be pretty nice.