What’s Your Favorite U.S. Airport?
We each have a soft spot for one or two particular airports. Maybe you have an eye for design-forward terminals? Or you’re all about the food court? A green ethos? Or maybe you just prefer an airport that’s (relatively) free of drama?
The travel junkies over at TravelBank, an app that helps business travelers predict and manage travel costs, just published a fun survey on this topic. They took a look at how U.S. airports stacked up on Instagram. While it’s by no means an exact science, analyzing the airports that have the most followers on Instagram, where beautiful, inspiring photography and aspirational captions are prized, is a pretty good barometer of popularity. Enjoy the results, and while you’re at it, pay a visit to @BudgetTravel on Instagram for an extra dose of travel inspiration.
AN AIRPORT WITH HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR
Los Angeles International Airport (@flylaxairport) tops the list, most likely because of its proximity to film and TV celebs, its eye-popping LAX sign, and a pretty nice assortment of restaurant and entertainment options that have always made this airport one of my favorites. (I have lots of family and friends in Southern California, so I’ve been a bit of a fixture here over the years.) The airport is also in the midst of a$1.6 billion renovation, so even better things are on the way.
THE WINDY CITY BOASTS GREAT ART
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (@flyohare) takes the no. 2 spot. If you’ve ever flown to or through O’Hare (and who hasn’t?), you probably associate it with hustle-bustle and, sometimes, frantic gotta-make-that-connecting-flight sprints. But we love O’Hare for its impressive public art collection and restaurants that overlook the airplane runways (definitely an Instagrammable view).
BEST AIRPORT FOR FOODIES
San Francisco International Airport (@flysfo) is relatively small compared with LAX and O’Hare, but serving Bay Area and Silicon Valley travelers, the easy availability of See’s candies and Boudin sourdough bread, not to mention a $2.6 billion expansion, propels this manageable and welcoming airport to no. 3.
THIS AIRPORT HAS A PET HOTEL
Dallas/Fort Worth (@dfwairport) comes in at no. 4, possibly because of its great photo-worthy observation area and on-site pet hotel.
SWANKY STYLE RULES AT THIS AIRPORT
Miami International Airport (@iflymia) is no. 5, with spectacular art exhibits, and, of course, a dose of Miami’s stunning style.
MY FAVORITE AIRPORTS
Missing from the list are two of my personal favorites: Glacier International Airport, in Kalispell, Montana, is probably my favorite place in the world to step off a plane, with a friendly, welcoming vibe, depictions of Montana wildlife on the walls, and a short drive to its namesake national park. My favorite airport to step on a plane? LaGuardia International Airport in my hometown of New York City. Sure, it’s just about everybody’s least favorite airport for its confusing traffic patterns, crowded and poorly signed interiors, overworked staff, and mediocre food offerings (I could go on), but LaGuardia is a sentimental favorite for me because I can get there easily on public transportation and the views of Manhattan’s skyscrapers from the air are better than those from any other NYC-area airport.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE AIRPORT?
Talk to us: What’s your favorite U.S. airport? Why do you love it?