And the outcomes are in, and America’s best airport is Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in Manchester, Latest Hampshire, based on a recent poll. Travel and Leisure Magazine polled its readers asking which is the perfect U.S. airport.
Surveys were collected from October 2022 to February 2023. During this time there have been major weather and system delays. FlightAware reported that greater than 10,000 flights were canceled and 13,000 delayed in the times leading as much as Christmas, which little question impacted results.
Smaller airports were the overwhelming winners. Only Salt Lake City and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airports, major hubs, made the highest 10.
“Most airports on the list are regional ones that function less-crowded alternatives to major airports which can be often too small to handle their passenger flow,” wrote Travel and Leisure editors.
Travelers scored each airport on access, check-in and security, restaurants and bars, shopping and design.
1. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport – Manchester, Latest Hampshire
This airport is an alternative choice to Boston Logan Airport and sits about 53 miles away. While the 2 suffer through the identical weather patterns within the winter, congested Boston Logan sees 22.7% of flights canceled or delayed during that season. FlightAware ranked Boston tops in canceled winter flights, with 1,792 over winter on average.
Manchester-Boston maintained an 81% on time arrival in the course of the winter of 2022/23 aside from December where on time dipped to 68% based on the Bureau of Statistics. Over December, Boston Logan had a 70% on time rating. January and February were only barely improved within the 74 to 77%.
“All the workers I encounter at MHT are knowledgeable and truly enjoy their job,” one Travel and Leisure reader commented. “Security is a breeze, and the TSA agents are extremely skilled.”
Other readers commented on the efficiency of entering into and out of the airport and cleanliness of the airport serving 1.2 million people last yr. That is down from about 2 million annually pre-pandemic, based on airport stats. Boston Logan welcomed around 42 million passengers pre-pandemic, based on the state.
2. Indianapolis International Airport – Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis serves about 7 million people a yr. Every year, the airport stumbles from their around 80% on time arrival rating during June and December. The June change of seasons sees thunderstorms and sometimes tornadoes. December’s passenger counts soar and icing on planes slows planes down.
Indianapolis’ rating was a full 4 points below the highest alternative, 81 versus 85.
3. Tampa International Airport – Tampa, Florida
Tampa’s on-time arrival was only 71% for 2022. The BOR’s airport stats show high on-time numbers for the autumn after the summer pattern of afternoon thunderstorms clears out. Christmas holidays and spring break time also showed a lower rate.
Tampa also scored in tenth place for essentially the most lost luggage at an airport in 2022, based on a Price4Limo report using data from the Department of Transportation.
The airport reports that about 22 million passengers fly through Tampa annually. The large flamingo sculpture (pictured above) is within the running for a Codaworx People’s Selection Award for art.
4. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport – Minneapolis, Minnesota
Despite the frigid weather and constant need for deicing, Minneapolis’ on-time arrival rating was almost 92%. December numbers are soft with additional holiday travelers but fall scores within the 90% range buoy the typical.
Minneapolis saw 31.2 million passengers in 2022, based on the Metropolitan Airports Commission.
5. Portland International Airport – Portland, Oregon
Rounding out the highest 5 is Portland International Airport. Officials report that about 7.2 passengers flew through the airport in 2022. The on-time arrival rating is over 79% for all of 2022, with December dropping to 65%.
The cold ocean current off town sets the airport up for frequent cloud cover. Winter 2022/23 storms were also particularly strong because of the parade of atmospheric river-fueled storms that pounded the West Coast.
The highest 10 favorite airports within the U.S. based on Travel and Leisure:
