When heading to the airport, most travelers are prepared to—at best—grin and bear it as they make their way to the gate. Flying is all about the destination; the process of getting to the airport, getting through security and enduring delays or layovers is never anything to write home about. However, a survey conducted by Airports Council International (ACI) reveals that the U.S. is home to a few airports that are, dare we say, enjoyable.
The ACI released its annual list of the best airports in the world for the customer experience. More than 400 airports were rated by nearly 595,000 respondents. The ACI’s Airport Service Quality (ASQ) program surveys travelers on their day of travel and covers over 30 performance indicators to provide insights into the passenger experience. Categories include Best Airports by Size and Region, Most Dedicated Staff, Easiest Airport Journey, Most Enjoyable Airport and Cleanest Airport.
Two U.S. airports—Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport in South Carolina and Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Michigan—won awards in all five categories, making them the top airports in North America for customer experience. This win indicates an overall top-notch customer experience, but travelers surveyed ranked these two as the best of the best for an enjoyable airport experience. The airports are recognized for their restaurants, shops, entertainment and other efforts to make the traveler experience more enjoyable.
Do we think you’ll want to make a point to hang out at these airports? Probably not, but it’s good to know that you’ll likely have a pleasant time if you’re passing through.
Find the full report on the ACI website.