The USA's worst airport: If not LaGuardia, which one?
Poor LaGuardia Airport.
Fliers have long liked the airport for its easy access to Manhattan, but not much else. In fact, the airport has become a decades-long standby on nearly everyone's list of "worst U.S. airports." But now there's talk of a multi-billion dollar project to give fliers a "new" LaGuardia.
Will that be enough to take LaGuardia out of the conversation for being the USA's worst airport? And, if so, which airports would be "front-runners" to take LaGuardia's spot on the list?
Experts say singling out a single airport for being "the worst" is virtually impossible. Different travelers value different things, meaning some are willing to overlook flaws that would be unforgivable to others.
Bob Mann, president of aviation consultant R.W. Mann & Co., says it's "hard to say" which airport is "worst." He notes "even 'great' airports have pockets within them that look like 'The Land That Time Has Forgotten'."
Henry Harteveldt, a travel-industry analyst with Atmosphere Research, says airport ratings vary by what a flier values. That could range from on-time performance to ease of access to gates to terminal amenities.
"How do you want to define your circle of hell? There are numerous airports out there that are bad in various ways," he says, but adds: "none quite match LaGuardia for its ability to create pain and suffering."
While many fliers do cite LaGuardia as one of the USA's worst, others say the airport is at least simple to use – if still cramped, dingy and delay prone.
"Funny thing, I think the 'makeover' will make LaGuardia worse and not better," says Gary Leff, author of the View from the Wing blog for frequent travelers. "They're upending the place and spending billions of dollars without increasing runway capacity or improving New York airspace. And at the end we'll have a single terminal that takes longer to traverse than the handful of minutes curb to gate that you have there today."
Consultant Mann says it's "safe to say (LaGuardia) will have the 'worst' title for years to come, with (conditions) becoming even worse yet during the lengthy demolition and re-construction period."
But when LaGuardia is new and improved, which airports are likely to fill the vacuum? We queried nine travel industry experts for an unscientific look. Here are the seven airports most frequently mentioned by our panel*:
Newark Liberty
The airport is one of the most delay-prone in the entire United States, with roughly 1 out of every 3 flights behind schedule according to federal data for 2014. Flight schedules at the airport can be unreliable in anything other than ideal weather. Gradual updates have helped update some older and crowded terminal areas, but many fliers still say the overall aesthetic of the airport is dated lacking. The airport is convenient for many New Jersey-bound fliers, but public transit into Manhattan can be cumbersome. Newark has an "AirTrain" rail link, but there is no single-seat ride to New York City.
New York JFK
Fliers' perceptions of this New York City airport likely depends on which terminal they fly from. The six passenger terminals are separate structures, and filers' experience can vary widely from one to another. Some are brand new with state-of-the art amenities. Others are old, dingy and crowded. Connections between some terminals can require exiting security, though that's mostly for connections involving non-partnered airlines.
Car transit to the airport is subject to New York City traffic, leading to potentially long and expensive taxi rides. Public transit into Manhattan can be cumbersome. JFK has an "AirTrain" rail link that offers transfers to commuter rail. Subway access is possible via the AirTrain link, but the ride into Manhattan takes longer than an hour for most.
Philadelphia
Just like the New York City airports, the Philadelphia airport is especially prone to weather and congestion delays. Even mild weather events can – and often do – lead to long delays. Other flier complaints include potentially long distances for passengers between far-flung terminals. A makeover has updated some – but not all – formerly shabby gate areas.
Los Angeles International
Like JFK, a flier's experience of LAX will vary widely from terminal to terminal. Some are new and modern while others achingly await modernization. Ground transportation at the airport can be challenging and public transit links are subpar. Still, there's hope for LAX fliers. A bevy of terminal improvement projects are or will soon be underway.
Washington Dulles
Dulles airport's soaring Eero Saarinen-designed terminal is a bright spot, but this Virginia airport has shortcomings fliers find difficult to overlook. Many of the airport's gate areas were meant to be temporary but have been pressed into longer life as expansion plans stalled.
The airport is more than 30 miles from downtown Washington. A 7-mile bus ride is needed to connect to an end-of-the-line station on Washington's "Metro" subway system. Cars and cabs are subject to Washington's notorious traffic once they leave the airport access road. There's also a taxi-cab monopoly on airport grounds. A recently opened underground airport train phased out most of Dulles' unpopular "mobile lounges," though arriving international fliers still must crowd into those to be transported to customs and immigration. Security checkpoint lines can get lengthy at peak times of the day.
Miami International
Recent upgrades have helped spruce up some terminal areas, but the airport still suffers from problems that weigh on passengers here. Terminal corridor bottlenecks and long lines are at the top of the list for many; waits in security, customs and check-in queues can grow exceedingly during peak periods. Other flier complaints include long walks within terminals and to the train and rental car areas.
Chicago O'Hare
Though O'Hare is not plagued by the chronic delays it suffered a decade ago, the airport remains synonymous with delays in the minds of many fliers. It's true wintertime operations can be challenging. And the lines of thunderstorms that move through the region during summer also can wreak havoc on flight schedules there. The airport has public transit access on Chicago's "L" line; ride times to the downtown Loop "area" take about 45 minutes and connecting rides to neighborhoods beyond the "Loop" area can be cumbersome. Those getting to or from O'Hare by car or taxi face unpredictable traffic, with gridlock seemingly possible at any hour of the day. Among other flier complaints: Connecting passengers can face long walks between gates and terminals; long security and check-in lines.
* The panel queried for this story includes: Alan Bender, Professor of Aeronautics at Florida's Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Cynthia Drescher, Contributing Digital Editor at Condé Nast Traveler; Henry Harteveldt, founder of Atmosphere Research; Holly Hegeman, founder and publisher of PlaneBusiness Banter; Mary Kirby, founder and publisher of RunwayGirl Network; Gary Leff, View from the Wing; Bob Mann, president of aviation consultant R.W. Mann & Co.; Chris McGinnis, founder of TravelSkills founder; and Brett Snyder, The Cranky Flier.