For business travelers who spend a good amount of time in airports, comfort, efficiency, accessibility, lounges and dining options are important when choosing where and how to fly. So Corporate Traveler's just-published Business Travel Airport Guide, which highlights the best airports for business travel, is a Bible of sorts.
The company surveyed 100 travel managers across the U.S., each with an average of eight years in the industry, to pinpoint the airports that make business trips smoother. Security efficiency topped the list of priorities, with nearly half of respondents saying it is the most important amenity, but dining plays an important role for travelers who need a restful, nourishing break during their trips. After all, a good restaurant or a dependable lounge can make the difference between getting to your destination focused or frazzled.
According to the guide, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the best overall U.S. airport for business travel, but also the best for dining. The facility is huge, and it uses that size to its advantage. Options stretch from quick Southern comfort fare to polished sit-down meals where you can squeeze in a quiet half hour. For travelers making tight connections, reliable quality rather than trends are important, and ATL delivers that consistency.
At number two is Chicago O'Hare International Airport. O’Hare leans into Chicago's identity as a food city with upgraded local concepts, dependable grab-and-go and enough variety to keep a frequent flier from getting bored. It's no surprise that it also ranks high overall for business travel, since good dining and a strong lounge scene pair well with O'Hare's role as a major hub.
Los Angeles International Airport comes in at number three. LAX has spent years working to shed its reputation as a chaotic airport, and the dining overhaul is one of its biggest wins. Travelers can sit down for a real meal, grab fresh food between terminals or hide out in a lounge with reliable Wi-Fi. This balance helped LAX tie for fifth place overall, while also ranking high for efficiency.
John F. Kennedy International Airport rounds out the list with a mix of global flavors and upgraded terminal dining. For travelers heading abroad, it offers a chance to eat well before a long flight and settle in after dealing with New York traffic. It is not the easiest airport, but the food scene has become a dependable highlight.
"With a continued shift toward increased efficiency and wellness, it's more important than ever to
factor the airport experience into trip planning," said John Van den Heuvel, President, Corporate Traveler USA, in an official statement. "Choosing the right airport to connect through or fly into can significantly reduce travel friction and help ensure a seamless business trip."
Best U.S. Airports for Dining
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Los Angeles International Airport
- John F. Kennedy International Airport