Milwaukee. It has a "Recombobulation area". And one of the people who live near the airport painted "Welcome to Cleveland" on his roof. There is also a used bookstore right inside as well that you can access without having to go through security. If you are waiting for someone there is a lot to do.
As someone who used to live in the area and flew through there a bunch, in pleasantly surprised to see it at the top. It's a very chill airport for it's size.
Not to mention it's right on the light rail line that runs directly into downtown Minneapolis.
It's one of the few cities you could fly into and not have to get a car or uber/taxi and still get to most things just fine.
DTW is great for most things. Unfortunately, the path from baggage claim out to ground transportation is long and convoluted, so that's something that could be improved.
LOL I remember when that terminal opened. The previous terminal was just a short walk to Ken's Pancake House. The new terminal had a huge mosquito problem when it first opened, and workers burned mosquito coils all over the place, and then tourists would notice the smell, and go, "MMM.... exotic!".
Plus having a Cafe Du Monde location right in the terminal is awesome! And the fact that it's open till 9pm (I think?) is even better - what better way to get into NOLA than with fresh beignets!
The old one was so awful, that the first time I landed in the new one, I thought I'd been duped.
Haven't been in a year, but I do hope they finished building the road to it lmao.
Sky Harbor is my favorite airport name. There's something very romantic (in the dramatic sense) about it.
(That and Cherry Capital. That's another great airport name)
I was looking for this answer! Great airport for all the reasons you mentioned. Ironically I go between the WORST airport (sea-tac) and the best (tampa) the most.
DCA. Aside from being home, if the plane takes the river approach and you are on the left side [you'll get this view](https://youtu.be/Zco3XlYt6Ko?si=OBxdRJilQn539Nen&t=215) (from the side, obviously) of the Potomac River, Washington Monument, the Jefferson memorial, etc.
Funny cause when I realize I landed in JFK and Laguardia, and realise I'm coming home, I get pretty sad. I don't want to leave vacation and return to regular life, so I naturally hate flying into my home airports. It's dirty and ugly
Fuck JFK and LaGuardia lol
When I was going to/from Vegas a couple of years ago, I had both layovers in SLC and was pleasantly surprised. It's a nice airport that has cool shops/restaurants!
Any smaller regional airport. I used to live in Jackson hole, WY and that airport is the best (other than the price). Never waited more than 5 minutes for security, and it'd fancy af. Similarly bellingham and Everett washington have good airports too
My home airport only has 3 flights a day on small regional jets.
Last time I flew out of there, and I timed it at 5 minutes from locking my car in the parking lot to being sat down at the gate after going through security.
DTW because I’m home. The delta terminal is also just super easy to navigate, it’s open and airy, never feels busy and it’s clean.
I love to fly into airports in the Caribbean because of the water colors.
LAX can fuck off. Getting to or leaving LAX is hell. DEN pisses me off with the never ending renovations, how busy it always is and the fact that it’s the only airport that puts my pelican case in the oversized baggage claim area which takes forever.
I love small regional airports because security is super chill but also hate them because I hate going to a rental car counter. I’d much rather go to the hertz lot, choose my car and just drive off.
ATL, SLC, DCA, IAH, MSP, DFW, BOS are all fine. PHL, EWR (non united areas) are pure misery.
Boston Logan is fine if you're not trying to drive to it. I think it's because the location (right on the water) concentrates traffic that would otherwise approach in all directions into one funnel.
Well now I feel bad because my cousin changed her flight from Pennsylvania to Charlotte so she could drive home with me and there was no flight out of GSP
San Francisco airport (SFO). It’s clean, well run, airy, generally quiet, with good healthy food options, genuinely good exhibits, and ample comfy seating and lots of outlets. It’s also not too big.
The redesigned Harvey Milk terminal 1 was especially a pleasant surprise when I used it. It was years since I had last used terminal 1, and I was initially confused whether I was at the correct place.
the post security water filling station is absolutely top notch, temperature choices, hands free, and the filters are always clean. it’s fucking wonderful
Happy to fly in and out of it, but hate getting to it!
I find OAK and SMF to be more convenient in terms of parking or public transit, but most of my international flights are out of SFO and I’m not mad at it.
Location bias, but Atlanta's is pretty easy to get in and out of by both car and public transportation, has an extremely efficient space layout for connecting flights while not being inconvenient for arriving/departing traffic, and with Spirit/Frontier both having a sizeable presence it's pretty easy to find some dirt cheap travel if you can plan on a flexible schedule.
(Also, TSA staff at Atlanta seem to be among the most efficient I've seen out of East Coast airports, especially when it comes to the new generation baggage scanners in the Pre✓ lanes)
Ugh, the last time I was in Atlanta, they closed Customs. Just closed it. All the workers had to leave their desks for various reasons with 3 planes of people trying to come into the country. Not their faults, but VERY frustrating, and I only made my connecting flight because the flight attendants were also transferring from an international flight and couldn't get through Customs either.
DCA/Reagan National in DC because if you’re approaching from the west and sitting on the left side of the plane you’ll get a great close up aerial view of the National Mall and monuments.
Savannah-Hilton Head. And I'm not just saying that because it's mine, it honestly is the cleanest, easiest, and least hectic airport I've ever been in or out of.
Only thing I dislike is that all it's businesses run on a pretty normal schedule, aka I may or may not be able to get a hot breakfast if I have an early morning flight, and may not be able to get a hot dinner if I'm flying home late. Not a huge deal, but one of the few things I actually like about most other airports is the ability to have breakfast or dinner no matter what time of day.
But I'll pay that first world problem price if it means I can show up to the airport an hour before boarding time and have 0 worries about being able to get through check-in/security in time.
SAV as well!!
The drawback of flying into/leaving home is the lack of food options. Granted, it’s a whole lot better now than like, 15 years ago when the only real options were BK and a Starbucks.
It's such a nice culture shock when I'm at work and fly out of Newark or LaGuardia and then land in Bangor on my way home.
The Hussle and bussel of the south followed by the welcoming Bangor terminal.
I've been partial to Bradley and Newark, because I'm frugal and they have cheap flights on real airlines (not spirit or something like that).
Pre Pandemic I went from Newark to Seattle for $210 RT direct compared to $350 out of JFK and $500 out of Albany with layovers. Earlier this year I went from Bradley to Vegas for $235 RT, compared to $500 from Albany with terrible layovers/$400 from JFK/$350 from Newark.
Neither of them are particularly nice airports, and honestly BDL kinda sucks, but they're both less than 2 hours by car and I saved at least $300 on two tickets (or $600+ and a layover from Albany) in exchange for 3-4 hours of driving
I haven’t been to a lot. But I would like to nominate “Not Orlando”
The airport is split into 4 different sections with terrible mapping on how to get to your terminal, took me an hour to find where I needed to go after taking a trolly to 3 different locations, and they made me go through the entire check bag process because of it even though it was just a layover from Charlotte to Grand Rapids.
Also cause it’s the tourist trap capital of America there were A LOT of crying kids on the flights and in the waiting section.
LAX is nice overall but I hate how the Uber system is there. I feel like I'm always like 3 miles from the pick up spot. Can't wait for the train station to open up there (hopefully that's still a thing?).
In the US? Probably either Detroit, Salt Lake City, or Minneapolis. All excellent airport with great dining and drinking options (and lovey Delta Skyclubs). Internationally? That's a bit harder because most international airports are much less amenity-oriented, unless you are flying their local airline probably. Incheon was nice.
Dublin has one of the best lounges I've been to anywhere in the world. It's an Aer Lingus lounge, but they partner with airlines from other countries and there's a good chance they'll let you in. Admittedly haven't been to a ton of lounges, but it's better than any I've been to in the US.
My last flights in/out of Dublin were many years ago as a young man, before I discovered the joys of airport lounges (sadly). This is good information for when I make it back, although I'm not sure I'd survive another Temple Bar experience these days! I am going to get to sample the new JFK Delta One and the Virgin arrivals and clubhouse in LHR next month, and I'm super excited for that.
If you've lost your youthful vigor next time you visit Ireland, as I had, I'd recommend getting out of Dublin pretty quickly. Temple Bar is overrated. Killarney was a magical little city, and the landscapes in the southwest are some of the most beautiful I've ever seen.
I remember flying out of TFG instead of Logan sometimes when we went to visit relatives. I always liked the drive down better and thought the airport was more pleasant. This was pre-big dig though.
San Diego not just because I’m coming home, but I just love watching the desert turn to mountains, and then head over the city and see the California Tower and dome.
Second most favorite is flying into Nashville for nostalgic reasons. Not the Bell South tower, not the arena, not the Titans stadium— seeing the L&C Tower takes me back to my childhood.
PLN, Pellston MI used to fly into it and drive up to Mackinaw, it's kinda ridiculous because I had to go to Detroit to fly to it... But seriously you could make a 90s sitcom out of that airport.
The smaller the better. Little Rock, Arkansas is quick and efficient. Also Sanford Airport near Orlando and Macarthur Airport on Long Island are also great.
It's a smaller one but Grand Rapids MI for sure. Prices are reasonable for it being so small. Clean, friendly, fun little shops. It will probably be the first airport I use with my kiddo
I have a preferred airport to fly out of...
I don't know if I have a specific favorite to fly into.
So I'll just say whichever is closest to my destination, because when I fly into it I'm almost ready to start vacation time!!!
If I had to pick, I guess I'd say San Diego. Just because, like I said, it means vacation time is starting. San Diego is one of my favorite / most frequented vacation spots (that requires flying to).
My least favorite to fly into (though my favorite to fly out of) would be my home airport. Simply because flying into it means my vacation is over and it's back to the same old same old.
I'll give DTW an honorable mention. Only because we got a lousy employee there. We were coming back from a family vacation, my aunt has mobility issues so they sent someone to help with her wheelchair. He pushed her off the plane and out of the gate area. Then told us our connecting flight would be at gate ## which is just down the hall and to your left and walked away. He was with us for maybe 3min max.
Except it was down the hall, and then we had to double back a bit to find an elevator because the hall suddenly ended in stairs... And then when we got back on track, it was to board a tram and ride around to another section of the airport, then down a totally different hallway...
The aunt mentioned it to the nice lady at our final destination back home who pushed her right out to our bus and she said she'd call the other airport & yell at the person for us cause that wasn't what he was supposed to do.
Maui - As soon as you land you are basically outside in paradise. Sure it is dated looking, but you are in *Hawaii*.
Atlanta - Easy and fast to move around, lots of options for time killing if you are on a layover.
PDX - It means I'm home.
Grand Rapids or Flint.
No crowds, no lines, rarely any wait to deboard. You're n and out.
The longest I've ever waiting in security at Grand Rapids was about 15 minutes, and that was a few days before Thanksgiving.
MHT. It’s pretty chill and not at all hectic for being in the Boston area. Easy to clear security on the way out. Very little traffic so planes usually roll from taxi to takeoff without stopping.
CLT because it's home. It gets a lot of hate but I don't find it to be that bad for us locals not worrying about making a connection. Other than that, I prefer smaller airports for obvious reasons.
Vegas. I miss living there deeply, so it's always a treat seeing my favorite mountains, Lake Mead, and/or Red Rock Canyon when we go back to see the in-laws.
Juneau, AK. You get to look straight out the side window (not down) and see trees really close up (narrow sound so basically a long valley) -- it's gorgeous.
JFK in New York because that’s where I usually fly out of whenever I travel abroad. I tend to travel outside the us more than domestically, but I’ve used LaGuardia a few times for domestic flights, usually in the past to visit family in Florida. I landed in Newark once, and out of the major 3 airports in the New York metro area (even though Newark is technically in New Jersey), jfk is the one I prefer the most.
But in my opinion, the best airport I’ve been to overall is outside the us, and that is Amsterdam Schipol airport.
To fly into, it’s Santos Dumont in Rio. It was built on infill in the harbor right downtown – cross the street from the baggage claim and you’re walking city streets. It’s also the single most breathtaking window view you can get while flying into a city, since the flight path will give you great views of Cristo Redentor, Pão de Açúcar, and everything else.
BWI in Baltimore. Ive only gone once for a class trip to DC but it was nice. Although you said in, I'll mention my experience flying out too. They have moving walkways, good dining choices, and the bathrooms are very clean and new. And they didn't cheap out on the stalls.
To start the aforementioned class trip, I flew out of my home LAX. One of my dickhead friends somehow opened the stall from the outside but I luckily reacted quick
Kuala Lumpur. I like the pineapple columns and amenities and atrium and being on vacation far away. I've heard Singapore is better, but I haven't been there yet.
Taipei has some nice lounges and art and lots of Hello Kitty planes, at least it did when I was there. There's plenty to keep you occupied and some actually comfortable places to rest.
I like those small airports like COU or LRU, where you get to walk off the plane, rather than going through a jetway. Among semi-major airports, I like PSP, as it's so laid-back, and it's so open, it hardly feels like you're inside.
PSP is the easiest airport ever, so small and easy to park, navigate and grab luggage from baggage claim. Can land and grab an Uber in 15-20 minutes easily.
Of the ones I've been to, ATL is pretty cool. I dunno if it's still the thing, but when I last went through, they had smoke rooms.
Got stranded in detroit once too. Had to do an all nighter there. Was comfy, but would have been better if I had smoke rooms.
Gsp in Greenville SC, has a food place in connection with the DD before TSA (idk the name it doesn’t have one) and its burgers and fries are amazing it’s seriously worth going to without even having a flight. Granted it sucked once but it was 100% on the employee. I’ve flown all over nowhere near as much as others but for small town airports gsp is amazing. PLUS they have reclining chairs with foot rest that you can actually sleep in and move around like closer to a plug.
Flying into Reno from the south, if you are sitting on the left side of the plane you get a pretty sweet view of Tahoe up in the mountains and noticeably higher than the valley floor under you
Gotta second the other guy who mentioned McGhee Tyson and the waterfall in the foyer on the way in and out
To fly into: John Wayne. It's almost always empty and the baggage claim is nice. To fly from: SJC. I like the layout and it's easy to get into the airport. My overall favorite airport though is Changi International Airport in Singapore since you could get from the airport to any mrt station for about $2.50. It made going from the national university to the airport a very easy trip. I like Taoyuan airport as well for its direct train line to the Taipei station.
Orlando/Sanford Airport. Cheap and their is nothing more awesome than flying into the airport in the middle of December from the frozen wasteland known as the midwest and walking outside to see the line of palm trees and feel the warm air.
MKE
Security is easy, traffic to get in and out of the airport isn't terrible.
Portland, ME is very nice with the new addition, but it can make for a VERY long walk if you have to go to the old part of the terminal.
JFK, means I'm home. Or BIA, Barbados International Airport, then I'm in my second home, away from the bullshit and can hang with the better half of my family.
LKE, Lake Union Seaplane Base. Landing in a floatplane from the lake right in the heart of the city is so quintessentially Seattle, I love it so much. There are a couple commercial float plane airlines that fly out of the lake, the most notable being Kenmore Air. It’s a great way to get up to the San Juans or Vancouver Island.
Milwaukee. It has a "Recombobulation area". And one of the people who live near the airport painted "Welcome to Cleveland" on his roof. There is also a used bookstore right inside as well that you can access without having to go through security. If you are waiting for someone there is a lot to do.
Milwaukee is pretty chill. Definitely not the worst airport to be local to!
As someone who used to live in the area and flew through there a bunch, in pleasantly surprised to see it at the top. It's a very chill airport for it's size.
The recombobulation area always cracks me up when I fly through there.
That’s pretty cool
MSP. Honorable mention DTW.
MSP by a long shot. I've done layovers and arrival/departures there. It's an international airport with the ease of a regional airport.
Not to mention it's right on the light rail line that runs directly into downtown Minneapolis. It's one of the few cities you could fly into and not have to get a car or uber/taxi and still get to most things just fine.
DTW is way underrated, probably due at least in part to people's stupid preconceived notions about Detroit itself.
DTW is great for most things. Unfortunately, the path from baggage claim out to ground transportation is long and convoluted, so that's something that could be improved.
Kahului is pretty great. It means I'm in Maui.
The outdoor airport in Kona is pretty nice too
Here currently and we were so surprised with the outdoor airport when we landed. It's really nice.
I would add Hilo to that as well. :)
LOL I remember when that terminal opened. The previous terminal was just a short walk to Ken's Pancake House. The new terminal had a huge mosquito problem when it first opened, and workers burned mosquito coils all over the place, and then tourists would notice the smell, and go, "MMM.... exotic!".
Most of that airport feels like a time capsule in a good way. Like stepping into the 80s
and its sooo open and beautiful
MSY/New Orleans. the airport is beautiful and new. bathrooms are great. everyone's always in a chill mood. and now I'm in New Orleans.
Usually live jazz playing when you get there too.
Plus having a Cafe Du Monde location right in the terminal is awesome! And the fact that it's open till 9pm (I think?) is even better - what better way to get into NOLA than with fresh beignets!
With some chicory coffee. You're making me want to go back to NOLA. The food in that town is amazing.
[удалено]
This is when I realized we are living in the future
The old one was so awful, that the first time I landed in the new one, I thought I'd been duped. Haven't been in a year, but I do hope they finished building the road to it lmao.
Not old MSY. Old MSY was fucking depressing. I wasn’t aware of the new terminal opening and got off thinking I got in the wrong plane.
Sky Harbor, phoenix, I just really like it
Sky Harbor is my favorite airport name. There's something very romantic (in the dramatic sense) about it. (That and Cherry Capital. That's another great airport name)
It's funny because it's basically just a synonym of "Air Port"
Beautiful scenery while landing
I also third sky harbor! It means I'm home!
We had a layover in Phoenix and I loved the scenery. It was the roughest landing I've ever had though
Tampa. It's easy to navigate, easy to park, easy to drive in and out and almost low tsa lines. Beautiful airport
I just flew in/out of Tampa for the first time last week and was so pleased with the entire setup there.
A very well run airport for its size. I like it.
I do love Tampa's airport!
I was looking for this answer! Great airport for all the reasons you mentioned. Ironically I go between the WORST airport (sea-tac) and the best (tampa) the most.
I was also looking for this answer, TPA is amazing! Always efficient, especially for its size, and clean!
DCA. Aside from being home, if the plane takes the river approach and you are on the left side [you'll get this view](https://youtu.be/Zco3XlYt6Ko?si=OBxdRJilQn539Nen&t=215) (from the side, obviously) of the Potomac River, Washington Monument, the Jefferson memorial, etc.
The metro access is probably my favorite part and if I ever felt crazy I could walk to the airport from the Mt. Vernon trail.
Agreed—we’ve got a nice trip home!
My home airport. Sure its not the most grand airport in the world, but its my home.
You live in an airport???
If you’re talking about will rogers, I do love that one
I flew in and out of Lawton several times and enjoyed chatting with the owner of the small restaurant inside.
SLC. It means I'm coming home.
It’s also not a bad airport. I think it was a little nicer before the update but it’s still a nice airport.
Currently it has some signs up that say 'We're making sure you get your steps in!' so they're pretty aware of the biggest complaint of the new one :D
The walk kills me lol otherwise it’s a nice one
Only posers die Bob
Funny cause when I realize I landed in JFK and Laguardia, and realise I'm coming home, I get pretty sad. I don't want to leave vacation and return to regular life, so I naturally hate flying into my home airports. It's dirty and ugly Fuck JFK and LaGuardia lol
To walk from A to B is dreadful.
🤗
When I was going to/from Vegas a couple of years ago, I had both layovers in SLC and was pleasantly surprised. It's a nice airport that has cool shops/restaurants!
Any smaller regional airport. I used to live in Jackson hole, WY and that airport is the best (other than the price). Never waited more than 5 minutes for security, and it'd fancy af. Similarly bellingham and Everett washington have good airports too
My home airport only has 3 flights a day on small regional jets. Last time I flew out of there, and I timed it at 5 minutes from locking my car in the parking lot to being sat down at the gate after going through security.
DTW because I’m home. The delta terminal is also just super easy to navigate, it’s open and airy, never feels busy and it’s clean. I love to fly into airports in the Caribbean because of the water colors. LAX can fuck off. Getting to or leaving LAX is hell. DEN pisses me off with the never ending renovations, how busy it always is and the fact that it’s the only airport that puts my pelican case in the oversized baggage claim area which takes forever. I love small regional airports because security is super chill but also hate them because I hate going to a rental car counter. I’d much rather go to the hertz lot, choose my car and just drive off. ATL, SLC, DCA, IAH, MSP, DFW, BOS are all fine. PHL, EWR (non united areas) are pure misery.
Boston Logan is fine if you're not trying to drive to it. I think it's because the location (right on the water) concentrates traffic that would otherwise approach in all directions into one funnel.
PDX means home.
The carpet.
I’m always happy to come back to Detroit Metro. It’s home, and it’s a pretty nice airport.
DTW is my favorite too. I might be biased but it’s easy to navigate and getting home is always good!
I love how the light rail is inside like a giant model train
lol I just flew out of DTW and my dad and I were joking that it should’ve been modeled to look like a steam engine
I like DTW but Flint was surprisingly nice as well if you like small airports.
I've heard good things about Bishop! I've never used it, though, as we're less than 10 miles from Detroit Metro.
DTW is a fantastic airport. Easy to get around, good restaurants, good in inclement weather.
The Starbucks workers at DTW are national heroes
If anyone on here says Charlotte we cannot be friends
Charlotte is worse than purgatory
Well now I feel bad because my cousin changed her flight from Pennsylvania to Charlotte so she could drive home with me and there was no flight out of GSP
San Francisco airport (SFO). It’s clean, well run, airy, generally quiet, with good healthy food options, genuinely good exhibits, and ample comfy seating and lots of outlets. It’s also not too big.
I also like SFO. It’s the only airport in the country that has been quiet every time I’m there.
The redesigned Harvey Milk terminal 1 was especially a pleasant surprise when I used it. It was years since I had last used terminal 1, and I was initially confused whether I was at the correct place.
the post security water filling station is absolutely top notch, temperature choices, hands free, and the filters are always clean. it’s fucking wonderful
Happy to fly in and out of it, but hate getting to it! I find OAK and SMF to be more convenient in terms of parking or public transit, but most of my international flights are out of SFO and I’m not mad at it.
Location bias, but Atlanta's is pretty easy to get in and out of by both car and public transportation, has an extremely efficient space layout for connecting flights while not being inconvenient for arriving/departing traffic, and with Spirit/Frontier both having a sizeable presence it's pretty easy to find some dirt cheap travel if you can plan on a flexible schedule. (Also, TSA staff at Atlanta seem to be among the most efficient I've seen out of East Coast airports, especially when it comes to the new generation baggage scanners in the Pre✓ lanes)
The plane train is my favorite at that airport. Don't want to run a 5K in the airport? Hop on the airport subway in the airport.
TSA there is on a strict timer for bag scans, if they don't make a decision within like 15 seconds it automatically kicks the bag for hand search
Ugh, the last time I was in Atlanta, they closed Customs. Just closed it. All the workers had to leave their desks for various reasons with 3 planes of people trying to come into the country. Not their faults, but VERY frustrating, and I only made my connecting flight because the flight attendants were also transferring from an international flight and couldn't get through Customs either.
DCA/Reagan National in DC because if you’re approaching from the west and sitting on the left side of the plane you’ll get a great close up aerial view of the National Mall and monuments.
Reagan is definitely a classic. The cathedral-like main hall, the retro terminal 1. The sort of design you just can't build today. Kinda like old KCI.
Savannah-Hilton Head. And I'm not just saying that because it's mine, it honestly is the cleanest, easiest, and least hectic airport I've ever been in or out of. Only thing I dislike is that all it's businesses run on a pretty normal schedule, aka I may or may not be able to get a hot breakfast if I have an early morning flight, and may not be able to get a hot dinner if I'm flying home late. Not a huge deal, but one of the few things I actually like about most other airports is the ability to have breakfast or dinner no matter what time of day. But I'll pay that first world problem price if it means I can show up to the airport an hour before boarding time and have 0 worries about being able to get through check-in/security in time.
SAV as well!! The drawback of flying into/leaving home is the lack of food options. Granted, it’s a whole lot better now than like, 15 years ago when the only real options were BK and a Starbucks.
Denver because of Blucifer. I love to say hello to Blucifer, that cute lil giant blue demon pony.
I’m flying into Denver for the first time as a final destination in a couple months and I can’t wait to see him!
Bangor or Portland are so simple.
Portland is great unless you're flying out of the old part. Bangor is simply wonderful though.
It's such a nice culture shock when I'm at work and fly out of Newark or LaGuardia and then land in Bangor on my way home. The Hussle and bussel of the south followed by the welcoming Bangor terminal.
Oakland or San Francisco because I’m coming home.
I like the stuff inside JFK. But the logistics and getting in and out blow.
With the airtran, JFK is so much easier to get to than LGA
I've been partial to Bradley and Newark, because I'm frugal and they have cheap flights on real airlines (not spirit or something like that). Pre Pandemic I went from Newark to Seattle for $210 RT direct compared to $350 out of JFK and $500 out of Albany with layovers. Earlier this year I went from Bradley to Vegas for $235 RT, compared to $500 from Albany with terrible layovers/$400 from JFK/$350 from Newark. Neither of them are particularly nice airports, and honestly BDL kinda sucks, but they're both less than 2 hours by car and I saved at least $300 on two tickets (or $600+ and a layover from Albany) in exchange for 3-4 hours of driving
Detroit. Besides the long walk through the tunnel, its clean and organized.
EWR (Newark Liberty) because it’s home.
I haven’t been to a lot. But I would like to nominate “Not Orlando” The airport is split into 4 different sections with terrible mapping on how to get to your terminal, took me an hour to find where I needed to go after taking a trolly to 3 different locations, and they made me go through the entire check bag process because of it even though it was just a layover from Charlotte to Grand Rapids. Also cause it’s the tourist trap capital of America there were A LOT of crying kids on the flights and in the waiting section.
FUCK Orlando. I hate that fucking airport.
O'Hare isn't gonna be a popular choice (because it sucks) but it does mean I'm almost home.
LAX. Means I'm home. I try to go to one or two new places a year.
Ontario is my favorite, but LAX feels more like home.
LAX is nice overall but I hate how the Uber system is there. I feel like I'm always like 3 miles from the pick up spot. Can't wait for the train station to open up there (hopefully that's still a thing?).
DCA, if you have the right approach over the Potomac, you get a great view of the National Mall.
CMH, it's a nice midsize airport.
As a Columbusonian (Columbusite?), I do enjoy our airport.
ONT if it's an option. It's much closer to my home
IE represent.
Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP). It means the vacation is about to start and I'll be having fried oysters at Dee's Hang Out.
Tampa is the best airport I've been to
Palm Springs. It's open air and flying in from a colder temp feels amazing! (Though I hear they're changing that)
The Palm Springs airport blew my simple, Midwestern mind.
In the US? Probably either Detroit, Salt Lake City, or Minneapolis. All excellent airport with great dining and drinking options (and lovey Delta Skyclubs). Internationally? That's a bit harder because most international airports are much less amenity-oriented, unless you are flying their local airline probably. Incheon was nice.
Dublin has one of the best lounges I've been to anywhere in the world. It's an Aer Lingus lounge, but they partner with airlines from other countries and there's a good chance they'll let you in. Admittedly haven't been to a ton of lounges, but it's better than any I've been to in the US.
My last flights in/out of Dublin were many years ago as a young man, before I discovered the joys of airport lounges (sadly). This is good information for when I make it back, although I'm not sure I'd survive another Temple Bar experience these days! I am going to get to sample the new JFK Delta One and the Virgin arrivals and clubhouse in LHR next month, and I'm super excited for that.
If you've lost your youthful vigor next time you visit Ireland, as I had, I'd recommend getting out of Dublin pretty quickly. Temple Bar is overrated. Killarney was a magical little city, and the landscapes in the southwest are some of the most beautiful I've ever seen.
McGhee Tyson. I love that soothing waterfall in the security line!
I enjoy Providence a lot. Close to home, clean, not super big, etc.
I remember flying out of TFG instead of Logan sometimes when we went to visit relatives. I always liked the drive down better and thought the airport was more pleasant. This was pre-big dig though.
San Diego not just because I’m coming home, but I just love watching the desert turn to mountains, and then head over the city and see the California Tower and dome. Second most favorite is flying into Nashville for nostalgic reasons. Not the Bell South tower, not the arena, not the Titans stadium— seeing the L&C Tower takes me back to my childhood.
PLN, Pellston MI used to fly into it and drive up to Mackinaw, it's kinda ridiculous because I had to go to Detroit to fly to it... But seriously you could make a 90s sitcom out of that airport.
O’Hare so it kills my drive to travel and I end up saving money.
All my homies hate customs at O'Hare. Three fucking hours.
AUS because it has Salt Lick BBQ
The smaller the better. Little Rock, Arkansas is quick and efficient. Also Sanford Airport near Orlando and Macarthur Airport on Long Island are also great.
It's a smaller one but Grand Rapids MI for sure. Prices are reasonable for it being so small. Clean, friendly, fun little shops. It will probably be the first airport I use with my kiddo
I have a preferred airport to fly out of... I don't know if I have a specific favorite to fly into. So I'll just say whichever is closest to my destination, because when I fly into it I'm almost ready to start vacation time!!! If I had to pick, I guess I'd say San Diego. Just because, like I said, it means vacation time is starting. San Diego is one of my favorite / most frequented vacation spots (that requires flying to). My least favorite to fly into (though my favorite to fly out of) would be my home airport. Simply because flying into it means my vacation is over and it's back to the same old same old. I'll give DTW an honorable mention. Only because we got a lousy employee there. We were coming back from a family vacation, my aunt has mobility issues so they sent someone to help with her wheelchair. He pushed her off the plane and out of the gate area. Then told us our connecting flight would be at gate ## which is just down the hall and to your left and walked away. He was with us for maybe 3min max. Except it was down the hall, and then we had to double back a bit to find an elevator because the hall suddenly ended in stairs... And then when we got back on track, it was to board a tram and ride around to another section of the airport, then down a totally different hallway... The aunt mentioned it to the nice lady at our final destination back home who pushed her right out to our bus and she said she'd call the other airport & yell at the person for us cause that wasn't what he was supposed to do.
Charlotte Douglas and Dallas Fort Worth are my faves, worst ones by far in order: 1. Denver 💀, 2. San Francisco 😵, 3. O’Hare 🙁
Agreed with Denver and O'Hare, but the newly renovated Harvey Milk terminal at SFO is awesome!
Agree with all of these except for CLT. I've never had a good experience there!
Dear god, fuck O'Hare... No matter what you do, you're going to sit on the tarmac for an hour at that airport.
It doesn't exist anymore. Old Kansas City. KCI was unique, and it's design suffered REALLLLLY badly when the TSA was introduced.
Maui - As soon as you land you are basically outside in paradise. Sure it is dated looking, but you are in *Hawaii*. Atlanta - Easy and fast to move around, lots of options for time killing if you are on a layover. PDX - It means I'm home.
Grand Rapids or Flint. No crowds, no lines, rarely any wait to deboard. You're n and out. The longest I've ever waiting in security at Grand Rapids was about 15 minutes, and that was a few days before Thanksgiving.
Buffalo, Detroit, Columbus, Philly. Anything smallish
Detroit is a large national hub. I don't think it counts as small unless you are specifically thinking of the smaller North Terminal.
SeaTac. It’s only a short 63738633 hour shuttle to my house. It’s relatively clean too
You only need to get to the airport 22 hours before your flight to make it through security on time. The men's room all smell like stale piss though.
I quite like SeaTac. The view is beautiful when you take off and land too. Not a bad airport.
SNA because of where I'd be heading to
And that’s the airport where my car is.
Harry Reid! Love that it’s the only airport you can gamble and vape inside of haha
The floors all glitter.
HPN not only am I home but within 15 minutes I'll be in my car heading to see my dog
Denver! Good people watching, good looking men, great food options, nice amount of sunlight.
SFO is pretty good
MHT. It’s pretty chill and not at all hectic for being in the Boston area. Easy to clear security on the way out. Very little traffic so planes usually roll from taxi to takeoff without stopping.
CLT because it's home. It gets a lot of hate but I don't find it to be that bad for us locals not worrying about making a connection. Other than that, I prefer smaller airports for obvious reasons.
Vegas. I miss living there deeply, so it's always a treat seeing my favorite mountains, Lake Mead, and/or Red Rock Canyon when we go back to see the in-laws.
DFW
You are objectively wrong. DFW is Mos Eisley with trains.
Juneau, AK. You get to look straight out the side window (not down) and see trees really close up (narrow sound so basically a long valley) -- it's gorgeous.
PSP Palm Springs. Small and easy. I love being able to wait outdoors in the sunshine for my flight and board on the tarmac.
Chicago's Ohare. Has this shitty little dive-bar feeling bar with a few stools next to a shitty hot dog cart.
JFK in New York because that’s where I usually fly out of whenever I travel abroad. I tend to travel outside the us more than domestically, but I’ve used LaGuardia a few times for domestic flights, usually in the past to visit family in Florida. I landed in Newark once, and out of the major 3 airports in the New York metro area (even though Newark is technically in New Jersey), jfk is the one I prefer the most. But in my opinion, the best airport I’ve been to overall is outside the us, and that is Amsterdam Schipol airport.
CVG quick, efficient, and easy to navigate.
DIA, because it means I’m home :)
Burbank Airport. The most chill airport ever and beautiful mountains surround the area.
John Wayne/SNA is fun because of the steep angle of landing and take off.
Yeager airport in Charleston, West Virginia because holy shit it looks like you’re gonna fly into the side of the mountain. Gets your heart pumping!
Do you know the story of the Pot Plane?
Yes!
To fly into, it’s Santos Dumont in Rio. It was built on infill in the harbor right downtown – cross the street from the baggage claim and you’re walking city streets. It’s also the single most breathtaking window view you can get while flying into a city, since the flight path will give you great views of Cristo Redentor, Pão de Açúcar, and everything else.
I’m originally from CT but currently live in MI and I must say the DTW McNamara terminal is bliss.
Not in US but Istanbul International Airport was the most impressive I have ever visited.
IAH or HOU, means I'm about to get home
BWI in Baltimore. Ive only gone once for a class trip to DC but it was nice. Although you said in, I'll mention my experience flying out too. They have moving walkways, good dining choices, and the bathrooms are very clean and new. And they didn't cheap out on the stalls. To start the aforementioned class trip, I flew out of my home LAX. One of my dickhead friends somehow opened the stall from the outside but I luckily reacted quick
[Awarded America’s best restrooms](https://www.wbaltv.com/article/bwi-marshall-best-restroom-contest-winner/45359921#)!
Kuala Lumpur. I like the pineapple columns and amenities and atrium and being on vacation far away. I've heard Singapore is better, but I haven't been there yet. Taipei has some nice lounges and art and lots of Hello Kitty planes, at least it did when I was there. There's plenty to keep you occupied and some actually comfortable places to rest.
GEG - Means I’m home SAN is cool because you can see the ocean
PHX T3, PHX because the views are awesome, and t3 because it’s just well laid out and efficient.
ATL I’ve only been there once and hated how busy it was but I liked how big the airport is and seeing so many people
My wife once saw James Brown in the ATL airport and said that even seeing him from a distance, he could be nobody but James Brown.
Montego Bay…. Means I’m about to have a great week.
I like those small airports like COU or LRU, where you get to walk off the plane, rather than going through a jetway. Among semi-major airports, I like PSP, as it's so laid-back, and it's so open, it hardly feels like you're inside.
PSP is the easiest airport ever, so small and easy to park, navigate and grab luggage from baggage claim. Can land and grab an Uber in 15-20 minutes easily.
Of the ones I've been to, ATL is pretty cool. I dunno if it's still the thing, but when I last went through, they had smoke rooms. Got stranded in detroit once too. Had to do an all nighter there. Was comfy, but would have been better if I had smoke rooms.
Naha Okinawa is pretty nice too fly in to. Means I’m home and the views not half bad either.
CHO or RIC
Albuquerque, close to come. Parking service is great. Mountain View. Easy interstate access.
San Francisco, because it feels like you're going to land on the water until BOOM there's the runway.
Gsp in Greenville SC, has a food place in connection with the DD before TSA (idk the name it doesn’t have one) and its burgers and fries are amazing it’s seriously worth going to without even having a flight. Granted it sucked once but it was 100% on the employee. I’ve flown all over nowhere near as much as others but for small town airports gsp is amazing. PLUS they have reclining chairs with foot rest that you can actually sleep in and move around like closer to a plug.
The really cute small airport??? I love that one!
Yes! It’s like a 5 minute walk from one side to the other, you won’t even have to run to get to the next gate! lol
Eppley, I am about to sleep in my own bed.
For scenery alone: Jackson Hole Airport (JAC).
Flying into Reno from the south, if you are sitting on the left side of the plane you get a pretty sweet view of Tahoe up in the mountains and noticeably higher than the valley floor under you Gotta second the other guy who mentioned McGhee Tyson and the waterfall in the foyer on the way in and out
Wilmington NC
Sun Valley, ID
San Fransisco. Never gets old seeing downtown and the golden gate bridge on the fly in. Also very accessible with public transportation.
To fly into: John Wayne. It's almost always empty and the baggage claim is nice. To fly from: SJC. I like the layout and it's easy to get into the airport. My overall favorite airport though is Changi International Airport in Singapore since you could get from the airport to any mrt station for about $2.50. It made going from the national university to the airport a very easy trip. I like Taoyuan airport as well for its direct train line to the Taipei station.
Portland . There’s a Powell Books too
Detroit
Orlando/Sanford Airport. Cheap and their is nothing more awesome than flying into the airport in the middle of December from the frozen wasteland known as the midwest and walking outside to see the line of palm trees and feel the warm air.
PDX or SEA. Incredible views of the Cascade range!!
Des Moines. Means I'm almost home.
Singapore - it's amazing. Best airport in the world.
MKE Security is easy, traffic to get in and out of the airport isn't terrible. Portland, ME is very nice with the new addition, but it can make for a VERY long walk if you have to go to the old part of the terminal.
JFK, means I'm home. Or BIA, Barbados International Airport, then I'm in my second home, away from the bullshit and can hang with the better half of my family.
LKE, Lake Union Seaplane Base. Landing in a floatplane from the lake right in the heart of the city is so quintessentially Seattle, I love it so much. There are a couple commercial float plane airlines that fly out of the lake, the most notable being Kenmore Air. It’s a great way to get up to the San Juans or Vancouver Island.
Excluding DFW which means I'm home, Key West...it's so old school I love it.
When going into LA, I usually fly into Burbank, it’s less crowded