10 Best Domestic Airports: World's Best 2019
Flying domestic should be fairly painless, right? Travel + Leisure readers agree, and they’ve come to a consensus that the best domestic airports are not only easy to navigate, but a joy to linger in. From aesthetically pleasing design to tasty local restaurants, these 10 airports around the country stand out.
Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers cast their votes for their favorite hubs across the world, rating airports on access, check-in/security, restaurants/bars, shopping, and design.
Related: The World's Best Awards 2019
You can feel the ambience of the city when you’re at Pittsburgh International Airport, according to one fan of the No. 7 spot. Unlike some other airports, where it’s tough to establish a sense of place, Pittsburgh’s arched windows, open spaces, and public art create a vibrant setting. The place is also easy to navigate, making catching connections a breeze. Various modernization improvements — including a new building for ticketing, a new parking garage, and more — are expected to open by 2023.
Another reader praised Indianapolis International Airport’s beautiful design. At this No. 2 pick, bright, airy terminals let in plenty of light through windows overhead. “This should be the blueprint for all airports!” a former flight attendant wrote. “Great local restaurants to eat and grab coffee or beer. Always clean. Security line is always friendly and quick,” another fan added.
New to the list this year is Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, a small operation in New Hampshire. Though tiny, No. 9 offers one big plus that nearby Boston Logan Airport does not: virtually no congestion. “Very convenient away from heavy traffic!” a reader noted.
This year’s World's Best winners, as voted by our readers, scored high marks in all areas, including shopping, food options, layout, and more. Read on for more on the No. 1 airport, and to see how the rest stacked up.
10. Dallas Love Field
Score: 73.79
More information: dallas-lovefield.com
9. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport
Score: 73.81
More information: flymanchester.com
8. Palm Beach International Airport
Score: 74.26
More information: pbia.org
7. Pittsburgh International Airport
Score: 74.90
More information: flypittsburgh.com
6. John Wayne Airport, Santa Ana, California
Score: 75.90
More information: ocair.com
5. Tampa International Airport
Score: 76.34
More information: tampaairport.com
4. Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport
Score: 76.99
More information: savannahairport.com
3. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport
Score: 78.44
More information: mspairport.com
2. Indianapolis International Airport
Score: 78.55
More information: ind.com
1. Portland International Airport, Oregon
Score 80.84
More information: flypdx.com
Famed for its teal, geometric-pattern carpet (all hail, #pdxcarpet), Portland International Airport dazzles in more ways than just the ground beneath your feet. “This is my home airport, and I wish to write a love song to it,” one enthusiastic reader wrote. “People are friendly, there are ample local shopping and food options, there are free local short films, prices are normal, there's local art, a local distillery, live music...I could go on and on.” And other readers did. Many remarked on the friendliness of Portland’s TSA agents. But one fan summed it up best: “Can't think of anything that PDX doesn't do well.”
See all of our readers' favorite hotels, cities, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World's Best Awards for 2019.
