Best Airports in the United States and Canada 2019

Fly Into 2019 in the Top-Rated Airports in North America

Airports are the doorways to seeing the world, and anyone who's done a fair amount of travelling knows that not all airports are created equal. Having a smooth and enjoyable airport experience can absolutely set the mood for the start (and sometimes middle and end) of your trip. To help you map out your travel routes and layovers for 2019, we pulled picks from The Points Guy and J.D. Power to bring you the top-rated airports in the U.S. and Canada. So take note, travellers! Whether it's for efficiency, friendliness, rockstar amenities, or super cool vibes, the following 30 North American airports have earned a reputation of excellence.

Image Source: Unsplash / paul mocan

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Phoenix's Sky Harbor Airport took the top spot in The Points Guy's roundup of the best airports of last year. Onsite, check out the Phoenix Airport Museum – which includes an expansive art collection, exhibition program, and aviation history collection – or walk the Sky Harbor Fitness Trail for exceptional views and to squeeze in a little exercise before you fly.

Image Source: Flickr user Alan Levine

Salt Lake City International Airport

Flanked by spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains, the SLC airport boasts an art collection, multiple spa options, and craft libations – stop by Gordon Biersch Brewery or the High West Distillery for a local beverage before you fly.

Image Source: Flickr user Daniel Betts

Portland International Airport

Portland's hip vibes extend to its airport as well; PDX hosts a barber shop and spirits tasting room, in addition to an art-house theatre playing Oregon shorts on a loop. Located in one of the country's best food cities, the airport harbors everything from gourmet street grub to James Beard-nominated bistros.

Image Source: Flickr user Dileep Eduri

San Diego International Airport

Bright and sunny (like the city itself), the San Diego airport is brimming with shopping and dining options, and even houses a meditation room called the Spirit of Silence. Another reason why SAN rocks? Its super convenient location – the airport is located only three miles outside the heart of the city. Residents commuting to the airport via bike have access to complimentary bike lockers just outside the airport.

Image Source: Flickr user Jeff Robbins

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Tampa International Airport

Only six miles from downtown, the Tampa airport is in a stellar location and rocks a medley of shopping and dining amenities. It's also experiencing some major growth; in the past few years, new nonstop international flight routes were added, like Zurich, Reykjavik, and Frankfurt, and more are on the way (a nonstop to Amsterdam is slated for May).

Image Source: Flickr user LPDAL

Charlotte Douglas International Airport

Southern charm is sprinkled throughout the Charlotte airport, from the white rocking chairs lining the glass atrium to the authentic Southern fare.

Image Source: Flickr user N i c o l a

Washington Dulles International Airport

High-end retailers, an Imax movie theatre, and a huge observation gallery boasting floor to ceiling windows and vintage plane parts all have a home at D.C.'s Dulles Airport. Want to get your heart rate up before you cram into an aeroplane seat? Speed walk the Cardio Trail that winds through concourses A and B.

Image Source: Flickr user Dion Hinchcliffe

Philadelphia International Airport

Thanks to a $900 million dollar overhaul, the Philadelphia airport is bursting with cool and unique ways to pass the time in-between flights. Take a selfie with a Liberty Bell made of 1,776 legos, get lost in a new book in the reading room, challenge your travel companion to a game on Wii, or get your zen on in the newly opened Quiet Room.

Image Source: Flickr user ERIC SALARD

Miami International Airport

Before you fly, fuel up with fresh and delicious Cuban food at iconic Miami staples like Cafe Versailles and Cafe La Carreta. You can also shop local stores (stop by Havana Collection for a super cute sundress), get a massage or facial, or explore one of the airport's many art galleries.

Image Source: Flickr user Adam Moss

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Much smaller than Dulles, DCA is on Washington's metro stop and just a couple stops from the heart of the city. The airport is also lauded for its stunning view of the monuments upon landing.

Image Source: Flickr user Elvert Barnes

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (Honolulu)

Hawaii's busiest airport is home to the stunning Cultural Garden, which represents the melding of Japanese, Chinese, and Hawaiian cultures on the islands. After security, rather than wait for your flight to board in an uncomfortable airport chair, feel the sunshine on your cheeks as your roam the gardens and zen out among the sculptured trees and koi fish ponds.

Image Source: Flickr user Mary and Andrew

George Bush Intercontinental Airport

Swanky shops, live musical performances, and a huge array of dining options (including James Beard Award winners) await at the country's fifth busiest airport. The airport is also currently in the process of expansion, adding a new terminal and building upon the existing ones to make the travel experience even more enjoyable.

Image Source: Flickr user Prayitno

Minneapolis−Saint Paul International Airport

MSP prides itself on its first-class food scene; travellers can enjoy dishes designed by award-winning chefs and TV personalities (including celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern from the Travel Channel). Afterwards, walk off the meal on the 1.4 mile walking path in terminal 1, or go on a Snoopy statue scavenger hunt (hint: there are three total).

Image Source: Flickr user webhishek

Chicago Midway International Airport

Smaller and less overwhelming than O'Hare, Chicago Midway Airport still rocks all the modern amenities – top-notch restaurants, shops, spas, etc. – without the stress. There's also a yoga room in terminal C and an art exhibit tour both pre and post security.

Image Source: Flickr user DigitalRalph

McCarran International Airport (Las Vegas)

If you're in holiday mode, the Las Vegas airport is celebrated for its craft cocktail scene (check out Crafted in terminal 1 and The Las Vegas Chophouse & Brewery in terminal 3) and, of course, on-site slot machines. If you want to avoid the party scene, check out the free aviation museum, the huge desert wildlife sculptures, and embark on one of the airport's walking programs.

Image Source: Flickr user Tomás Del Coro

Orlando International Airport

The magic of Orlando is just as alive inside the cheerful airport, with on-site Universal, Disney, and Sea World stores, an arcade, and an array of colourful Disney displays.

Image Source: Flickr user Christian Lambert

Denver International Airport

If you're flying through Denver, come hungry! DEN boasts some of the best airport cuisine in the country, with local haunts like Root Down and Elway's on site and plenty of places to grab a Colourado craft beer. You can also score stellar views of the Rockies in C gates.

Image Source: Flickr user Mark Cameron

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

Go for TexMex or BBQ, shop for genuine Texas goods like local leather and cowboy hats, check out the 30+ art installations, stretch it out in the yoga studios in Gates D and E, or pamper yourself at the spa.

Image Source: Flickr user Joe Bielawa

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport

Detroit knows how to put on a show. Terminals A, B, and C are all connected by a 800-foot "light tunnel," which puts on a multi-colour LED light show coordinated to music. Dance party, anyone? The Be Relax spa in A gates also offers full-body massages and a steam room.

Image Source: Flickr user Josh Hallett

John Wayne Airport (Orange County)

This clean and sunny airport 40 miles south of Los Angeles nabbed the top honour in J.D. Power's 2018 ranking of large airports (as opposed to mega airports like Las Vegas and Orlando) in customer satisfaction. Inside you'll find fewer crowds, delicious eats, and live musical performances from local musicians.

Image Source: Flickr user Grant Wickes

Nashville International Airport

Music City does, of course, bring the beat to the airport with more than 700 live music performances spread out over six different locations throughout the year. And it's not just country music; travellers are treated to a variety of genres, from hip hop and soul to classic rock and roll. Be sure to stroll the rotating art installations before you take off, as well!

Image Source: Flickr user Shannon McGee

Indianapolis International Airport

Bright and sparkling clean, the Indianapolis airport is regularly voted as one of the top airports in the U.S. in customer satisfaction. Grab a bite of authentic local cuisine at Shapiro's Delicatessen or Harry & Izzy's, and leave time for a foot massage at one of the spas.

Image Source: Flickr user aiko vanhulsen

Dallas Love Field Airport

Travellers flying out of Dallas Love Field are treated a sprawling collection of public art, as a part of the Love Field Art Program that showcases the vibrancy of the local art scene.

Image Source: Flickr user Eric Lumsden

Sacramento International Airport

Award-winning dining, luxury shops, rotating art installations, laptop bars, and tons of outlets? Check!

Image Source: Flickr user Bev Sykes

Vancouver International Airport

If you're flying through the Vancouver airport, be sure to leave extra room in your luggage. In 2015, YVR debuted the sprawling shopping centre, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, featuring luxury lifestyle brands with slashed prices. You can also take in the surrounding sights inside the free observation deck, boasting floor to ceiling windows and complimentary telescopes.

Image Source: Flickr user Ed Bierman

Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport

Inside the Montreal airport, travellers will find food options ranging from quick and cheap to formal and fine (maple glazed salmon, anyone?), along with a huge array of boutiques, spas, and souvenir shops.

Image Source: Flickr user abdallahh

San Francisco International Airport

The San Francisco airport is brimming with exceptional amenities you typically wouldn't find right before you fly. Need to stretch before you board? Visit the Yoga Room in terminal 2 and 3 (at no charge). Want to escape the noise? Stop by the Berman Reflection Room on the international terminal. There's also cultural museum exhibits, video arts, and more XpresSpas than you can count.

Image Source: Flickr user Gregory Varnum

Toronto Pearson International Airport

While many airports have dedicated walking paths to help you get your heart rate up in-between flights, Toronto kicks it up a notch with a full-service gym. You can also treat yourself to a mani/pedi, check out the rotating art exhibit, or hit the shops.

Image Source: Flickr user Twang_Dunga

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

It might be the world's busiest airport, but ATL still ranks high in customer satisfaction according to J.D. Power. Hungry? There are more than 100 restaurants to choose from, but we recommend getting a taste of authentic Southern cuisine at one of the many Southern style eateries. There's usually live music in the atrium and a handful of rotating and permanent art exhibits sprinkled throughout the terminals.

Image Source: Flickr user Mike Liu

Buffalo Niagara International Airport

Buffalo took the crown last year as the best medium-sized airport in North America by J.D. Power. Although on the smaller side (meaning fewer crowds, too) BUF is still bursting with exceptional dining options, including the originator of the Buffalo chicken wing, Anchor Bar.

Image Source: Flickr user Michael Gray