In America, there are more than 5,000 public airports, ranging from tiny airfields which run just two flights per day, to gargantuan airports which are among the busiest in the world. Based on the quality of their facilities, how highly they are rated by customers, accessibility and overall experience, we’ve rounded up the best airport in every state – here’s our list.
Thanks to a £150.8 million ($201.6m) revamp completed in 2014, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is slick and easy to navigate. During the four-year project, the airport, located around four miles (6.4km) from downtown Birmingham, was stripped out and expanded to twice its former size. Other improvements include a single, centralised security point, inline baggage system and the addition of extra gates, all of which make for a more efficient flying experience.
With just one terminal and six gates, Fairbanks International Airport is pretty small, which means it’s extremely easy to navigate. The transport hub, situated three miles (5km) from its namesake city, has been praised by Yelp reviewers for its cleanliness, efficiency and friendly staff, while flyers also love its trademark Alaskan decor – which includes stuffed polar bears.
Conveniently located just three miles (5km) from downtown Phoenix, this traveller favourite was ranked as the fifth-best Mega Airport in North America by J.D. Power’s annual satisfaction study. One of the largest and busiest airports in the country, it typically handles 1,200 aircraft and 125,000 passengers every day. Thanks to a modernisation project completed in 2020, Terminal 3 has been equipped with extra ticket counters, baggage processing facilities and an improved security system, making things even more streamlined.
Offering non-stop flights to 13 destinations across the US, Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport is the largest commercial airport in Arkansas. Opened as a US Army base back in 1917, it began running commercial flights in the 1930s and expanded significantly between the two World Wars. Today, the transport hub, located five miles (8km) from Little Rock, has gained positive reviews thanks to its ease of navigation and short wait times.
With its floor-to-ceiling windows and an array of artwork decorating the walls – courtesy of its very own art project – San Diego International Airport is more beautiful than most. Ranking among America’s top airports on the J.D. Power customer satisfaction survey 2021, it’s clearly a hit with travellers too, who comment on its excellent choice of shopping and dining outlets, high levels of cleanliness and friendly staff. It’s very close to downtown San Diego, making it ideal for reaching the city or accessing other transport connections.
The seventh-busiest airport in the world by seat sales, Denver International Airport is nothing short of gargantuan. Encompassing a whopping 53 square miles (137.8sq km) of land northwest of Denver, it’s so big that some conspiracy theorists believe it’s actually the headquarters of the world’s secret rulers. Bizarre trivia aside, the hub scores highly on customer satisfaction thanks to its convenience and large range of facilities, including more than 170 shops, restaurants and other services.
Dinky Bradley International Airport has been recognised as one of the best small airports in the country by several prestigious awards. Located in Windsor Locks, 12 miles (19km) north of Hartford, it has three runways across two terminals and offers non-stop flights to cities across the US, as well as Mexico, Canada and Ireland.
For several years, Delaware didn’t have a single commercial airport, since Frontier halted flights to Wilmington Airport (also known as New Castle Airport) in 2015. Thankfully for those wishing to avoid the hassle of busier transport hubs, the airline restarted flights in February 2021. It was also announced last year that the airport would be getting more federal funding. As you’d expect, it’s pretty small – one recent traveller exclaimed “this airport is one of the smallest I’ve ever been in” – but it’s also extremely easy to navigate.
Expect light and airy interiors, 35-foot-tall (11m) synthetic palm trees and Art Deco-style touches in this modern airport, located six miles (10km) from downtown Orlando. A former military hub, it's continued to grow since 1981, when the first commercial terminals opened, and surpassed Miami International Airport as the state’s busiest in 2017. Today, it runs direct flights to 98 US destinations and 48 international destinations, plus, it was among the highest-scoring Mega Airports in J.D. Power’s 2021 Airport Satisfaction Index.
It was the busiest airport in the world until very recently, with just over 110 million passengers in 2019 and 43 million in 2020 (due to COVID). Despite the crowds, many are pleasantly surprised by how easy Hartfield-Jackson is to navigate, thanks to speedy processing times and clear, multilingual signage. Although, with more than 300 restaurants, shops and services spread across seven concourses, you might want to allow a little extra time to explore anyway.
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Located three miles (5km) northwest of Honolulu, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is home to the world’s first offshore runway, which was completed in 1977. The airport is rated highly by Skytax for its food and beverage options, which include a Hawaiian cocktail bar, a pizzeria and a Chinese restaurant, plus it has 5-star rated free Wi-Fi. Recent Yelp reviewers also note how well-connected it is to public transport links and rental car options.
Small yet perfectly formed, Boise Airport runs services to 29 non-stop destinations across the US. The single-terminal airport, located three miles (5km) south of downtown Boise, has become a well-loved local hub thanks to its short waiting times, ease of navigation and friendly staff. Food and drink options include Einstein Bros Bagels, Smashburger and Cross Grain Brewhouse.
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While O’Hare is Chicago’s larger and better-known airport, Midway is preferred by many travellers thanks to its shorter lines and less-frequent delays at security. Located a 20-minute drive from downtown, the transport hub ranked 15th on J.D. Power’s 2021 Airport Satisfaction Index. It’s currently undergoing its largest expansion in 20 years, which includes a larger and more streamlined security checkpoint area – aiming to double passenger output – as well as energy-efficient updates to the parking facilities and an expanded concessions area.
Clean, spacious and modern, Indianapolis International Airport is a hit with travellers: one recent reviewer even called it “one of the best airports in the country”. The airport, located seven miles (11km) southwest of its namesake city, provides service to 49 non-stop destinations across North America, 22 of which were added in 2021. To make life even easier before you fly, its website lists up-to-date information about security wait times and parking lot capacity, as well as flight information.
Running direct flights to more than 30 non-stop destinations including Austin, Fort Lauderdale and Salt Lake City, Des Moines International Airport receives almost three million passengers a year. The small airport, situated five miles (8km) from Iowa’s capital, is generally well-liked thanks to its friendly customer service and short wait times.
The pint-sized Garden City Regional Airport started life as a US Air Force base, before being handed to public ownership in 1948. Since then the airport, located around nine miles (14.5km) southeast of Garden City, has become a popular hub, offering daily flights to Dallas/Fort Worth. It’s the ideal airport for those travelling into Garden City and nearby towns.
Offering flights to 15 non-stop destinations across the US, Blue Grass Airport, located five miles (8km) from downtown Lexington, is a historic regional hub. After being used by the military during the Second World War, it became a commercial airport in 1946 and today it serves 1.4 million passengers annually. Just moments away from the terminal, the popular Aviation Museum of Kentucky showcases a variety of historic and modern aircraft.
Winning the title of best large airport in J.D. Power’s 2021 Airport Satisfaction Index, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport has gone up in many flyers’ estimations thanks to a recent makeover. Completed in 2019, the £972 million ($1.3bn) renovation saw a shiny new terminal added, with 35 new gates. The airport, located 11 miles (18km) west of downtown New Orleans, is also home to a wide range of local food offerings including Emeril’s, Fleurty Girl and MoPho.
Travellers can’t get enough of Bangor International Airport, which has been praised for its great customer service, short lines and ease of navigation. Situated around three miles (5km) from Bangor, the airport flies directly to eight major American cities including Orlando, New York and Philadelphia. What’s more, it’s set to get even slicker in the near future. In May 2021, it was announced that Bangor would receive £1.6 million ($2.1m) from the US Department of Transportation, which is being used to rebuild the runway along with other improvements.
Also known as BWI, this airport, located nine miles (15km) from Baltimore and 32 miles (51km) from Washington, offers more than 80 direct regional and international routes. It appeared on J.D. Power’s 2021 Airport Satisfaction Index, receiving special praise for its fast and efficient service as well as good transport links. Plus, it has a good selection of food outlets, offering everything from Latin American cuisine to sushi and classic diner fare.
Situated just three miles (5km) from the city it serves, Boston Logan International Airport is an ideal choice for those wishing to fly into Massachusetts. The large airport, which has four terminals and covers a total area of 1,700 acres, is well-equipped with a wide range of shops, restaurants and services. Recent travellers have also praised how easy it is to navigate, although ongoing construction projects have resulted in some delays.
Michigan’s busiest airport, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (or Detroit Metro) serves more than 140 non-stop destinations and welcomes more than 36 million passengers annually. Located in Romulus, roughly a 20-minute drive from downtown Detroit, the transport hub has modern, well-planned terminals and a wide range of dining and shopping options.
Ranking in third place out of Mega Airports on J.D. Power’s 2021 Airport Satisfaction Index, this bumper airport is clearly a hit with flyers. It’s within easy reach of the Twin Cities and offers 163 direct flight routes from two terminals, which includes 27 international destinations. Recent travellers speak highly of its customer service, ease of navigation and wide choice of shops and restaurants.
Those looking to fly to or from the Gulf Coast should look no further than Gulfport-Biloxi, located around four miles (6km) from the town of Gulfport. It may be compact, but what it lacks in frills it more than makes up for in efficiency, ease of access and short wait times. However, you’d be best not to arrive with an empty stomach, as many reviewers warn that the food and dining options are limited.
Named after Albert Bond Lambert, a keen pilot who helped to fund and build the airport back in the 1920s, St. Louis Lambert International Airport is one of America’s most historic airports. Since then, it’s become a busy and popular transport hub, offering more than 250 non-stop departures to more than 60 destinations daily. Travellers appreciate its easy-to-navigate layout and friendly staff, although some warn that wait times can be long here.
Offering direct flights to 17 major cities across the US, Glacier Park International Airport, located eight miles (13km) from Kalispell, describes itself as the “gateway to northwestern Montana”. It’s about to get bigger too, with a £74.8 million ($100m) revamp project set to triple the airport’s size, add two new gates and modernise the existing security and baggage facilities, among other improvements.
Despite being on the smaller side, Eppley Airfield runs around 88 departures per day to 34 non-stop destinations across the US. The airfield, situated four miles (6km) from downtown Omaha, receives good reviews for its quick processing times and friendly staff, although some mention that dining options and other facilities are a little thin on the ground.
Those visiting Sin City won’t want to miss this unique airport, which is one of just two in the country to have slot machines in its terminals. On top of this, it has a great selection of food and drink outlets, serving everything from fast food to cocktails, burritos and bagels. The enormous airport, located five miles (8km) south of downtown Las Vegas, was ranked sixth-best in the Mega Airports category by J.D. Power’s 2021 Airport Satisfaction Index.
An ideal choice for those wishing to fly to New Hampshire and avoid busy Boston Logan Airport, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is situated three miles (5km) from Manchester’s downtown. The small airfield is popular with flyers, with one recent reviewer describing it as “far nicer and calmer than Boston Logan Airport”, while another said it had the “friendliest airport staff ever”.
It may be tiny, but that’s part of the charm of Trenton-Mercer Airport. In fact this airfield, situated four miles (6km) northwest of Trenton, is so small that baggage claim is just a trailer. On top of that, when stepping off the plane you must use a ramp that’s exposed to the elements, rather than a covered jet bridge, and there’s just one food outlet and no shopping areas. Yet passengers love it: one recent reviewer summed it up as “old-school, pleasant, and very user-friendly”.
The largest commercial airport in New Mexico, welcoming five million flyers annually, Albuquerque International Sunport is an excellent choice for those travelling to the Land of Enchantment. It provides non-stop services to more than 20 destinations in the US. What’s more, with a £63.6 million ($85m) revamp in the pipeline, it’s set to gain a new food court, modernised TSA checkpoints and more efficient LED lighting, among other improvements.
Three major airports serve New York City: LaGuardia, Newark and John F. Kennedy (JFK). While the latter is the busiest – JFK flew passengers to 74 countries in January 2020 on more than 34,000 flights – it’s also favoured by travellers, ranking second in the Mega Airports category of J.D. Power’s 2021 Airport Satisfaction Index. Plus, with an enormous range of shopping and dining outlets, you’re unlikely to ever get bored here.
Serving 40 non-stop destinations across North America, this North Carolina transport hub handles around 9.5 million passengers a year. It’s about to expand its offering too, with direct flights to Iceland being offered from May 2022. Thanks to a straightforward and functional layout, a good level of cleanliness and smooth check-in processes, it’s a solid bet for anyone wishing to travel to the Old North State.
With a decidedly small-town feel about it, North Dakota’s Fargo Hector International Airport has just five gates, meaning walking distances and TSA lines are mercifully short. Located around three miles (5km) northwest of downtown Fargo, it offers flights to nine cities across the US, including Atlanta, Las Vegas and Minneapolis/Saint Paul. However, as is the case with many smaller airports, dining, shopping and other amenities are limited.
Just a 15-minute drive from Columbus, the compact and convenient John Glenn Columbus International Airport is a safe bet for those flying in and out of Ohio. Pre-pandemic, it offered 160 peak daily departures to 47 direct destinations, but a few routes have been put on hold since then. Travellers are won over by its cleanliness, efficiency and straightforward layout, although some stress that food outlets have restricted opening hours.
Will Rogers World Airport currently offers non-stop service to more than 25 US cities, while it handled 4.4 million passengers in 2019 (although numbers are currently lower than this due to COVID-19). It was named after legendary Oklahoma-born cowboy and entertainer Will Rogers, a keen aviation fan who tragically died in a plane crash in Alaska in 1935. A clean, comfortable and user-friendly regional hub, its interiors are given a splash of colour thanks to a local arts project.
The largest airport in the Beaver State, Portland International Airport scores highly on national customer satisfaction surveys, including J.D. Power’s 2021 Airport Satisfaction Index. Serving 73 non-stop destinations, with a new route to London Heathrow coming in June, it’s a great option for travelling to US and international cities. It’s also strikingly beautiful: interiors are light and airy thanks to large windows, while a selection of rotating art exhibitions at the terminal showcases local artists.
Philadelphia International celebrated its 80-year birthday in 2020 – yet despite being an octogenarian, it’s still going strong. Situated seven miles (11km) from downtown Philly, it offers almost 500 daily departures to more than 140 destinations worldwide, while passenger numbers exceed 32 million annually. Recent travellers speak highly of its well-laid-out terminals and wide range of shopping and dining options.
Many flyers snub the nearby Boston Logan in favour of this dinky airport, situated in Warwick, just a 10-minute drive from downtown Providence. It serves 25 non-stop destinations, largely across the eastern US, with passengers enjoying its low-key atmosphere. One reviewer said it was the “most stressless airport I have been through”, while another thinks “Green is so much easier and better than Logan”.
Named the best small airport in the country by readers of USA Today, Myrtle Beach has become a traveller favourite thanks to its low-cost flights and ease of travel. Located three miles (5km) southwest of its namesake city, it offers direct flights to more than 50 cities and served a record-breaking 3.2 million passengers in 2021 despite the ongoing pandemic. It’s widely praised for its clean, attractive interiors and easy-to-navigate layout, while TSA lines are said to be short.
The largest airport in the Mount Rushmore State, Sioux Falls served more than half a million passengers in 2019. While that figure dropped substantially in 2020 due to the pandemic, numbers look set to rebound quickly. The regional airfield has become popular thanks to its minimal waiting times, friendly and helpful staff and hassle-free car rental options, although some flyers note that dining options are a little thin on the ground.
As you'd expect for an airport serving the Music City, Nashville International's passengers give it good reviews for its live music and great food and bars. The airfield, located eight miles (13km) east of downtown Nashville, ranked in sixth place on J.D. Power’s 2021 Airport Satisfaction Index, while Yelp users appreciate its spacious and modern new terminals. It’s also currently undergoing an £897 million ($1.2bn) expansion project, set for completion in 2024, which will give it the capacity to handle more than five million extra passengers annually.
The city's main airport until Dallas/Fort Worth came along in 1974, Dallas Love Field is the home of Southwest Airlines. It was ranked fourth in the large airports category of J.D. Power’s 2021 Airport Satisfaction Index, with regular travellers preferring its smaller, less hectic environment as well as its friendly and welcoming staff. What’s more, at just seven miles (11km) from downtown Dallas, its location is extremely convenient too.
In September 2020, Salt Lake City International Airport opened the first part of its £3.1 billion ($4.1bn) renovation project: a concourse which includes extensive parking space, high-tech security gates and modern waiting areas. Located five miles (8km) northwest of downtown Salt Lake City, the airport is a hit with travellers thanks to its modern interiors, fast Wi-Fi and high levels of cleanliness, however, some begrudge the long walking distances between gates.
Offering flights to 16 American cities, Burlington International Airport is a small yet easy-to-navigate hub which is ideally located for reaching popular ski resorts. While some reviewers note that it’s a little old and could do with an update, its short lines and ultra-quick processing times make it the perfect hub for hassle-free travel.
Don't let the name fool you – Washington Dulles, as it's typically called, isn't all that close to Washington DC. Around 27 miles (43km) from downtown, it takes a while to get to the city, yet the transport hub is popular with travellers, appearing in 12th place on the J.D. Power’s 2021 Airport Satisfaction Index. Offering direct flights to more than 100 domestic and 58 international destinations, it’s an ideal choice for those wishing to fly in and out of Virginia.
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Since reopening for commercial flights in summer 2020, Paine Field has quickly become one of America’s favourite small airports. The compact, two-gate terminal offers just 24 flights a day – in comparison to the 1,010 daily flights handled by nearby Seattle-Tacoma Airport – to cities including Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Boise, Palm Springs, Phoenix and Tucson. Inside, it’s stylishly kitted out with lounge-style seating and floor-to-ceiling windows, while there’s electrical power and high-speed Wi-Fi at every seat.
This pocket-sized airport currently offers direct flights to seven cities across the US including Charlotte, Washington DC, Chicago and Orlando. Located just minutes away from downtown Charleston, it’s a convenient option for anyone visiting the area. Travellers speak highly of its minimal lines, short wait times and attentive staff, although as you’d expect with any small airport, facilities are basic – there’s just one food outlet and it’s located before security.
Conveniently located just minutes from Wisconsin’s capital, Dane County Regional Airport flies to 18 non-stop destinations across the US and is favoured by frequent flyers and business travellers. While the easy-to-navigate layout and quick processing times are a big draw, some reviewers note that it’s a little dated, with a lack of electronic charging points inside the terminal.
Enjoying a picturesque location at the foot of the Teton mountains, Jackson Hole Airport is a great option for those travelling to Wyoming. The small airfield offers direct flights to 12 destinations across the country, including Dallas/Fort Worth, Atlanta and Seattle. While facilities are fairly basic, with just two shops and one restaurant, the terminal is decorated with a whole host of artworks which nod to the Equality State’s history and traditions.
Now check out North America's best airports, as rated by travellers