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Let’s be honest: Sometimes we’re excited for our layover. Some airports have amazing art (our favorite is the giant, two-story 56-foot red rabbit at Sacramento International Airport), there might be a particular cocktail or snack place we have a fondness for (like the Shipyard Brewport at Portland International Jetport in Maine), and sometimes we might even extend the stay with an overnight before continuing on to our real destination. The folks at ParkSleepFly have released a study showing how airports compare based on layover offerings like dining, shopping, hotel availability and hygiene (how clean the seats, bathrooms and public areas are) and now we're ready to assess the findings.
In first place is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, which scored high for cleanliness and having 33 hotels within two miles. The airport gets extra points for views of Mt. Rainier! There are 36.1 million passengers who pass through this airport each year.
Coming in second is George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, which scored high on dining, shopping and hygiene – but there’s only one hotel within two miles. 31.8 million people fly through this Houston airport annually.
In third place is Denver International Airport, an architecturally interesting structure. It received good points for dining, shopping and customer satisfaction, but also has only one hotel nearby. This is a busy airport serving 58.8 million visitors per year, so it’s on its game. The only airport with more visitorship in the top ten was #9, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, with 75.5 million. (Atlanta is actually the busiest airport in the world.)
Coming in fourth was Miami International Airport for its shopping and dining – and a whopping 75 hotels nearby. The visitorship here is 37.3 million.
And fifth is Los Angeles International Airport, which scored decently across all categories and has 50 hotels within two miles. 48 million people pass through the airport annually.
The remaining airports in the top 10:
6. John F. Kennedy International Airport
7. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
8. Charlotte Douglas International Airport
9. Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
10. O'Hare International Airport
For the full study, click here.
Have you ever shown up at the airport without a ticket or even a destination in mind? Half of Americans have.