Best U.S. Airports for Travelers: Phoenix Sky Harbor Ranks Second

Based on flyer experience, Tampa International Airport (TPA) is the best airport in the US. The study scored the Florida airport an overall index score of 71/100 for its enjoyability for travelers. 

According to the findings, the airport has the highest Google review ratings—both overall (4.6 out of 5) and for the highest percentage of 5-star reviews of any US airport (74.11% of all reviews). Not only that, but reviews on FlightRadar24 agree, with the airport ranking top on the website, achieving a review score of 88/100.

Second is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), with an impressive overall index score of 63.9/100 in the passenger enjoyability index. 

While the Arizona airport scores highly on the index across all factors, its best-scoring factor is the lack of ‘lost luggage’ related searches, for which it scored an impressive 97.4/100. This is based on an average monthly search volume of only 4.46 searches per 100,000 passengers – 94% lower than the average across all airports analyzed. 

The third-best airport in the US for traveler experience is the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP). According to the findings, the Minnesota airport achieved an overall index score of 62.4/100. 

According to people who have traveled to or from MSP airport, the study found that a large majority had an excellent experience – with 63.5% of all Google reviews for the airport achieving a 5-star rating. Along with its overall Google rating of 4.3 out of 5, this equated to an index score of 68.5/100 – second in the US behind only TPA for this factor.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) ranks fourth on the list, with a commendable index score of 60.7/100 overall. 

Of the factors considered, the California airport achieved highly across the board. However, SFO was found to have achieved an especially impressive FlightRadar24 score of 84/100 on the website.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) rounds out the top five best airports in the US for flyer experience. 

The study found that the Georgia airport achieved an overall index score of 57.6/100 for flyer experience – with more than half (57.24%) of Google reviews for the airport achieving a 5-star rating, among the factors contributing to the airport’s overall score.

Orlando International Airport (MCO) follows in sixth. The study identified that the Florida airport achieved an overall index score of 57.3/100. Its stand-out factor is the amenities on offer to travelers, for which it ranks fourth among the airports analyzed. 

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) ranks seventh in the US, but it takes the top spot in Texas compared to two other Texas airports analyzed in the study. According to the findings, AUS achieved an index score of 57/100 for providing an enjoyable flying experience for travelers. 

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) ranks eighth, with an overall index score of 56.1/100, while Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) ranks ninth, with a score of 55.1/100 in the index study.

Finally, completing the top 10 best US airports for travelers is Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), achieving an overall index score of 53.6/100, according to the findings. 

Valentijn Bakker, editor of Nieuwe Casino, commented on the findings:  

“Navigating and spending time in airports can often cause stress for many people traveling. However, the study provides useful insight into those airports that have the potential to offer not just a stress-free experience but an enjoyable one as well – helping to turn the often tiring waiting periods into an opportunity to unwind and begin your vacation before you touch down in your destination.”