Airports are the doorways to seeing the world, and anyone who's done a fair amount of traveling knows that not all airports are created equal. Having a smooth and enjoyable airport experience can absolutely set the mood for the start (and sometimes middle and end) of your trip. To help you map out your travel routes and layovers for 2019, we pulled picks from The Points Guy and J.D. Power to bring you the top-rated airports in the US and Canada. So take note, travelers! Whether it's for efficiency, friendliness, rock-star amenities, or supercool vibes, the following 30 North American airports have earned a reputation for excellence.
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Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport took the top spot in The Points Guy's roundup of the best airports of last year. On-site, check out the Phoenix Airport Museum — which includes an expansive art collection, exhibition program, and aviation history collection — or walk the Sky Harbor Fitness Trail for exceptional views and to squeeze in a little exercise before you fly.
Flanked by spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains, the SLC International Airport boasts an art collection, multiple spa options, and craft libations — stop by Gordon Biersch Brewery or the High West Distillery for a local beverage before you fly.
Portland's hip vibes extend to its airport as well; PDX hosts a barber shop and spirits-tasting room, in addition to an art-house theater playing Oregon shorts on a loop. Located in one of the country's best food cities, the airport harbors everything from gourmet street grub to James Beard-nominated bistros.
Bright and sunny (like the city itself), the San Diego International Airport is brimming with shopping and dining options, and it even houses a meditation room called the Spirit of Silence. Another reason SAN rocks? Its super convenient location — the airport is located only three miles outside the heart of the city. Residents commuting to the airport via bike have access to complimentary bike lockers just outside the airport.
Only six miles from downtown, Tampa International Airport is in a stellar location and rocks a medley of shopping and dining amenities. It's also experiencing some major growth; in the past few years, new nonstop international flight routes were added — like Zurich, Switzerland; Reykjavik, Iceland; and Frankfurt, Germany — and more are on the way (a nonstop to Amsterdam is slated for May).
Southern charm is sprinkled throughout the Charlotte airport, from the white rocking chairs lining the glass atrium to the authentic Southern fare.
High-end retailers, an IMAX movie theatre, and a huge observation gallery boasting floor-to-ceiling windows and vintage plane parts all have a home at DC's Dulles Airport. Want to get your heart rate up before you cram into an airplane seat? Speed-walk the Cardio Trail that winds through Concourses A and B.
Thanks to a $900 million overhaul, Philadelphia International Airport is bursting with cool and unique ways to pass the time in between flights. Take a selfie with a Liberty Bell made of 1,776 Legos, get lost in a new book in the reading room, challenge your travel companion to a game on Wii, or get your Zen on in the newly opened Quiet Room.
Before you fly, fuel up with fresh and delicious Cuban food at iconic Miami staples like Cafe Versailles and Cafe La Carreta. You can also shop local stores (stop by Havana Collection for a supercute sundress), get a massage or facial, or explore one of the airport's many art galleries.
Much smaller than Dulles, DCA is on Washington's metro stop and is just a couple of stops from the heart of the city. The airport is also lauded for its stunning views of the monuments upon landing.
Hawaii's busiest airport is home to the stunning Cultural Garden, which represents the melding of Japanese, Chinese, and Hawaiian cultures on the islands. After security, rather than wait for your flight to board in an uncomfortable airport chair, feel the sunshine on your cheeks as your roam the gardens and Zen out among the sculptured trees and koi fish ponds.
Swanky shops, live musical performances, and a huge array of dining options (including James Beard Award winners) await at the country's fifth-busiest airport. The airport is also currently in the process of expansion, adding a new terminal and building upon the existing ones to make the travel experience even more enjoyable.
MSP prides itself on its first-class food scene; travelers can enjoy dishes designed by award-winning chefs and TV personalities (including celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern from the Travel Channel). Afterward, walk off the meal on the 1.4-mile walking path in terminal 1, or go on a Snoopy statue scavenger hunt (hint: there are three total).
Smaller and less overwhelming than O'Hare, Chicago Midway International Airport still rocks all the modern amenities — top-notch restaurants, shops, spas, etc. — without the stress. There's also a yoga room in Terminal C and an art exhibit tour both pre- and post-security.
If you're in vacation mode, the Las Vegas airport is celebrated for its craft cocktail scene (check out Crafted in Terminal 1 and The Las Vegas Chophouse & Brewery in Terminal 3) and, of course, on-site slot machines. If you want to avoid the party scene, check out the free aviation museum and the huge desert wildlife sculptures and embark on one of the airport's walking programs.
The magic of Orlando is just as alive inside the cheerful airport, with on-site Universal, Disney, and Sea World stores, an arcade, and an array of colorful Disney displays.
If you're flying through Denver, come hungry! DEN boasts some of the best airport cuisine in the country, with local haunts like Root Down and Elway's on-site and plenty of places to grab a Colorado craft beer. You can also score stellar views of the Rockies in C Gates.
Go for Tex-Mex or BBQ, shop for genuine Texas goods like local leather and cowboy hats, check out the 30+ art installations, stretch it out in the yoga studios in Gates D and E, or pamper yourself at the spa.
Detroit knows how to put on a show. Terminals A, B, and C are all connected by an 800-foot "light tunnel," which puts on a multicolor LED light show coordinated to music. Dance party, anyone? The Be Relax spa in A Gates also offers full-body massages and a steam room.
This clean and sunny airport 40 miles south of Los Angeles nabbed the top honor in J.D. Power's 2018 ranking of large airports (as opposed to mega airports like Las Vegas and Orlando) in customer satisfaction. Inside you'll find fewer crowds, delicious eats, and live musical performances from local musicians.
Music City does, of course, bring the beat to the airport with more than 700 live music performances spread out over six different locations throughout the year. And it's not just country music; travelers are treated to a variety of genres, from hip-hop and soul to classic rock and roll. Be sure to stroll the rotating art installations before you take off as well!
Bright and sparkling clean, Indianapolis International Airport is regularly voted as one of the top airports in the US in customer satisfaction. Grab a bite of authentic local cuisine at Shapiro's Delicatessen or Harry & Izzy's, and leave time for a foot massage at one of the spas.
Travelers flying out of Dallas Love Field are treated to a sprawling collection of public art, as part of the Love Field Art Program, which showcases the vibrancy of the local art scene.
Award-winning dining, luxury shops, rotating art installations, laptop bars, and tons of outlets? Check!
If you're flying through Vancouver International Airport, be sure to leave extra room in your luggage. In 2015, YVR debuted a sprawling shopping centre, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, featuring luxury lifestyle brands with slashed prices. You can also take in the surrounding sights inside the free observation deck, boasting floor-to-ceiling windows and complimentary telescopes.
Inside the Montreal airport, travelers will find food options ranging from quick and cheap to formal and fine (maple-glazed salmon, anyone?), along with a huge array of boutiques, spas, and souvenir shops.
San Francisco International Airport is brimming with exceptional amenities you typically wouldn't find right before you fly. Need to stretch before you board? Visit the Yoga Room in Terminals 2 and 3 (at no charge). Want to escape the noise? Stop by the Berman Reflection Room in the International Terminal. There are also cultural museum exhibits, video arts, and more XpresSpas than you can count.
While many airports have dedicated walking paths to help you get your heart rate up in between flights, Toronto kicks it up a notch with a full-service gym. You can also treat yourself to a mani/pedi, check out the rotating art exhibit, or hit the shops.
It might be the world's busiest airport, but ATL still ranks high in customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power. Hungry? There are more than 100 restaurants to choose from, but we recommend getting a taste of authentic Southern cuisine at one of the many Southern-style eateries. There's usually live music in the atrium and a handful of rotating and permanent art exhibits sprinkled throughout the terminals.
Buffalo took the crown last year as the best medium-size airport in North America by J.D. Power. Although on the smaller side (meaning fewer crowds, too), BUF is still bursting with exceptional dining options, including the originator of the Buffalo chicken wing, Anchor Bar.
