From that-two hour security queue, to the night you tried to snooze on the grubby carpet in departures, we all have an airport tale. In their annual survey, website Sleeping in Airports asked travellers to rate airports based on their experience, taking into account comfort, services and facilities, food options, security, customer service, cleanliness, ease of transit and ‘sleepability’. Starting with the highest rated, we bring you their top 10 best, and the worst five in North America. The results might surprise you... 

Friendliness, cleanliness and good restaurants see Vancouver International Airport hitting the number one spot when it comes to reviewer ratings. The native artwork, abundance of natural light and two aquariums also make it popular with travellers.

This Oregon airport offers a farmers market, live piano music and food options that won’t hurt your waistline or wallet. In fact, the restaurants here are obliged to charge no more than they do at their regular, non airport outlets. Travellers were full of praise for the plentiful padded seats, free wi-fi and thoughtful staff.

Tampa airport wins top marks for it’s easily navigable layout, friendly staff and large, clean bathrooms. Reviewers also rated the good selection of food options, “solid” wi-fi and decent number of power points.

Winter snow showers are known for causing flight delays at St. Paul International, but travellers praise the airport for supplying sleeping mats and even blankets. The shopping mall and healthy dining options also earn good write-ups, as do the moving walkways and smooth parking.

Travellers raved about the creature comforts at Detroit Metro airport, from the huge wall TVs broadcasting the news to the popular water feature in the centre of McNamara Terminal Concourse. The 24/7 restaurants, comfortable seating and children’s play area also got a mention.

The “amazingly helpful” staff Dallas-Fort Worth are said to go above and beyond to help travellers when overnight flights are cancelled. Complimentary cots and blankets are provided, whilst travellers said the wi-fi is strong and the charging stations plentiful. There’s also a yoga space with free mats.

From the sushi bar to the locally brewed beers, Anchorage airport is a hit with travellers. The high standard of cleanliness, multiple rows of seats, reasonably priced food and massage tables (there are six massage therapists) also earned it good reviews.

This small airport in Indiana may only have one terminal, but it’s said to be a slick, clean operation, with the added bonus of free wi-fi. There’s also a 24-hour Starbucks and, according to travellers, plenty of couches.

Travellers in California rate the comfy, long benches, and standard of cleanliness at San Francisco International Airport. There’s also a selection of local food and showers in the international terminal, as well as a kids’ area, meditation room and on site aviation museum.

Given that one reviewer dubbed Phoenix the “premium airport experience”, it’s perhaps no wonder it nudged its way in at number 10. The helpful volunteers wearing purple jackets get a special mention, as do the abundant dining outlets and easily accessible Sky Train, which transports passengers between terminals and beyond.

Thankfully only five airports have the dubious honour of featuring in the “worst in North America” list. At number five is Fort Lauderdale, which one reviewer somewhat harshly claims has “all of the welcoming atmosphere of a prison camp.” Complaints include lengthy queues for food, crowding and noise, whilst another reviewer urged travellers: “stop at Subway and bring a sandwich with you.”

Newark bags the number four spot, and is dubbed the “worst airport ever”, by one disgruntled reviewer. Free wi-fi is said to be capped at 30 minutes, whilst the airport is described as not “traveller-friendly.” One disappointed lounge user also complains of worn seating and a “dark and dreary atmosphere.”

Miami may only dip down to 20°C in winter, but several reviewers make mention of the chilly airport temperature. Other complaints include crowding and limited charging stations, while many of the chairs are said to have armrests, making it tricky to catch up on shuteye. One disgruntled traveller says: “The couches and seats seem to be made to avoid airport sleepers.”

It’s the fourth busiest airport in the world, with over 80 million travellers passing through in 2016, but LAX scores just 2.6 out of 5 on Sleeping in Airports. Criticisms include terrible bathrooms, “filthy” carpets and limited seating, whilst another reviewer claimed “all the food I’ve had in my numerous passings through has been bad.”

An $8 billion redesign is currently underway for LaGuardia and it seems it hasn’t come a moment too soon. Reviewers complain that the current airport is uncomfortable and bemoan the lack of seating, but Governor Andrew M. Cuomo promises the plan will replace “an outdated and poorly designed complex with the world-class airport New York has always deserved.” For now though, it is crowned the worst airport in North America.