The Best and Worst Airports in the World (From Travelers Who Actually Fly a Lot)
We Fly A Lot. Here’s the Truth About Airports.
At TravelPDQ, we do our fair share of air travel. North America, South America, Europe—you name it, we’ve probably been delayed there.
We haven’t been to every airport in the world. But we’ve been to enough to know one thing:
👉 Not all airports are created equal.
Some make you feel like a seasoned traveler.
Others make you question every life decision that got you there.
Here’s our honest, no-nonsense list of the best and worst airports in the world—based on real experience.
✈️ The Best Airports (Where Travel Feels Easy)
Bergen Airport, Norway (BGO)
If airports were judged on sanity alone, this one wins.
- Tram from city center drops you practically inside the terminal (under $5 USD)
- Clean, modern, and compact
- Security is fast and painless
- No endless walking marathons
The only downside? No lounges.
The upside? You won’t need one.
👉 In Norway, they know how an airport should work.
Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
We did a double take the first time we landed here.
“Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore…”
Except… we were.
- Wide open spaces (no crowd crush)
- Excellent food options
- Quick baggage claim
- Easy rental car access
👉 Shockingly good Kansas City airport is. Almost suspiciously good.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA), New York
Yes, that LaGuardia.
The one that used to be… well… not good.
Now?
- Beautiful modern terminals
- Excellent dining options
- Great lounges (including Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge)
- Efficient rideshare pickup
Big shoutout to TSA here—professional, friendly, and efficient.
👉 The New York City comeback story nobody saw coming.
Zurich Airport (ZRH), Switzerland
This is what happens when a country known for precision builds an airport.
- Train takes you directly into the airport
- Crystal-clear signage
- Fast security and passport control
- Everything runs like clockwork
👉 Someone actually thought this through.
😬 The Worst Airports (Proceed With Caution)
Cusco Airport, Peru (CUZ)
We love Peru, especially Cusco. We love the airlines.
But this airport?
- Old and worn down
- Limited food options
- Tiny, overcrowded lounge
- Not enough seating
👉 You’ll survive Cusco Peru —but you won’t enjoy it.
Manchester Airport, England (MAN)
This one feels like a step back in time… and not in a charming way.
- Low ceilings
- Long check-in lines (often in basement-like areas)
- Limited food choices
The only positive? Convenient rail access.
👉 Functional—but barely.
Islip Airport (ISP), Long Island
This one should be great.
It’s not.
- Poor airline selection
- Bad flight schedules
- Shockingly weak food options
- Parking issues
👉 People will literally drive past this airport to avoid using it.
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
We’ll say it: this is a Mickey Mouse operation (and not in a good way).
- Massive crowds
- Long security lines
- Slow baggage claim
- Confusing layout
👉 It’s exhausting before your vacation even starts.
🤷♂️ The Love/Hate Airport
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
We can’t decide.
What we like:
- Close to the city
- Easy rental car access
- Solid lounge options
What we don’t like:
- Constant crowding
- Long security lines
- Lounges are always packed
👉 For a big airport, it’s decent—but bring patience.
🚨 The Absolute Worst Airport
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
If you’ve done a connection here, you already know.
- Terminal transfers that feel like cross-country trips
- Confusing signage
- Overcrowded buses between terminals
- Security re-checks during connections
- Slow passport control
- Endless walking
And just when you think you’re done…
👉 They pull your bag for inspection.
👉 And suddenly your connection is in jeopardy.
👉 And nobody seems concerned except you.
👉 If there’s one airport we actively avoid—it’s this one.
✈️ Final Thoughts: Choose Your Airport Wisely
Airports can make or break your trip.
- A great airport = smooth, stress-free travel
- A bad airport = delays, frustration, missed connections
Our advice?
- Prioritize airports with good layouts and transportation
- Avoid tight connections in problem airports (looking at you, Heathrow)
- Build in extra time where needed
FAQ: Best and Worst Airports
What is the best airport in the world for ease of travel?
Zurich Airport consistently ranks as one of the easiest airports due to efficiency, signage, and transportation access.
What is the worst airport for connections?
London Heathrow is widely considered one of the most difficult for connections due to terminal transfers and repeated security checks.
Which U.S. airport has improved the most?
LaGuardia Airport in New York has undergone a massive transformation and is now one of the best in the country.
Are smaller airports better than large ones?
Often, yes. Airports like Bergen show that smaller, well-designed airports can outperform major hubs.
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