Best And Worst US Airports Named, Three Of The Worst In New York

The study examined the 30 busiest US airports and used data from the Federal Aviation Administration, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, J.D. Power, Google Maps, iFly.com and the airports’ official websites

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the best US airport and New York’s LaGuardia Airport is the worst, according to a new study.

The study examined the 30 busiest US airports and used data from the Federal Aviation Administration, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, J.D. Power, Google Maps, iFly.com and the airports’ official websites. Categories included flight delays, cancellations, average security wait times, distance from the city center, public transit options, bars/restaurants, lounges, WiFi costs and parking rates.

The study placed top importance on how well each airport serves its primary purpose – getting you where you’re going on time. Next, how easy it is to reach the airport by car or public transportation? The third category is amenities like restaurants and lounges, as well as fees for parking and WiFi.

Best U.S. Airports

1. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
2. Portland (Oregon) International Airport
3. San Diego International Airport
4. Salt Lake City International Airport
5. Honolulu International Airport

Sky Harbor is a consistently strong performer: It has the shortest driving time from the city center, the 2nd-shortest public transit time, the 3rd-cheapest parking, the 3rd-most bars/restaurants per capita and the 5th-fewest flight cancellations. Its only below-average ranking is for lounges per capita (19th).

Worst U.S. Airports

26. Detroit Metropolitan Airport
27. Chicago O’Hare International Airport
28. Newark Liberty International Airport
29. John F. Kennedy International Airport
30. LaGuardia Airport

LaGuardia has the most flight delays and cancellations and the most expensive parking among the 30 surveyed airports. JFK has the longest average security wait time and the longest driving time from the city center. Newark has the 2nd-most flight delays and cancellations, plus the 3rd-longest average security wait time.