When traveling to your destination or returning home on connecting flights, layovers can present both challenges and opportunities.
Maybe its the chance to recharge you and your phone's battery with a delicious snack by the charging station or perhaps its the moment to rest up with a shower and some sleep in an on-site hotel.
Whatever length the layover, these U.S. airports are best suited to deliver a positive experience.
The team of travel experts at Upgraded Points recently analyzed 50 of the nation's busiest airports based on what they have to offer travelers amid a layover. Factors examined included the number of lounges, dining options and charging stations as well as hotel availability, average Wi-Fi download speeds and TSA wait times, among other criteria.
The Top Five US Airports for a Layover
- San Diego International Airport (SAN) — 76.8 out of 100
- Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Aiport (SJC) — 70.4 out of 100
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) — 68.8 out of 100
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) — 67.8 out of 100
- John Wayne Airport (SNA) — 66.6 out of 100
Javi’s at John Wayne Airport. (Photo Credit: HMSHost)
Upgraded Points also ranked the top five airports for short layovers, or layovers of under 12 hours.
Short layover ranking factors included the number of restaurants and shopping options per mile, the number of terminals and gates, on-time departure and arrival percentages and departure and arrival delays based on the average number of minutes.
The Top Five US Airports for Short Layovers
- Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Aiport (SJC) — 42.4 out of 50
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) — 40.7 out of 50
- San Diego International Airport (SAN) — 40.1 out of 50
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) — 39.6 out of 50
- William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) — 39.3 out of 50
Delta Sky Club, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. (photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines)
Long layover—defined as a layover of 12 or more hours—ranking factors included the number of lounges and charging stations per mile, the number of on-site hotels, average Wi-Fi download speeds, the percentage of canceled flights, the number of nearby hotels and restaurants, the number of showers and TSA wait times.
The Top Five US Airports for the Longest Layovers
- San Diego International Airport (SAN) — 36.7 out of 50
- Logan International Airport (BOS) — 36.1 out of 50
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) — 35.9 out of 50
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) — 35.0 out of 50
- Miami International Airport (MIA) — 34.7 out of 50
A big winner from the study, San Diego International Airport's impressive portfolio of amenities includes three dozen restaurants, 40-plus shopping options and a plethora of nearby hotels (24) and off-airport restaurants (57) per 10,000 daily passengers.
SAN also offers 13 charging stations per mile, an average departure delay time of 63 minutes and an average arrival delay time of 55 minutes, making it ideal for longer waits.
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