Any small airport I don't have to spend much time in is heaven to me--good bookstores being a plus. I'll put in a plug for Reagan National--my only plea if to add some GOOD restaurants INSIDE the security gates.

I'm not familiar with most of those airports, but as soon as saw the title of this topic I thought "ooooh I hope they mention Charlotte."

I love that place -- its amenities are perfect and I love that line of rocking chairs in the central concourse.

Internationally, I spent a lot of time in Kuala Lumpur International last year -- it ought to be on the list, too (unless you take into consideration proximity to the host city, in which case, a different result).

I'd vote for Montgomery Alabama (MGM) where you fly in over the cows.

Frankfurt is awful!!! I can't see how it ranked on the top 5. However, I would also like to plug National. Great place to fly out of...but not so sure how well I'd weather a 6-hour layover there.

I second DC Gal that DCA would be right up there if I had something other than Ranch1 to eat (or worse, in the "old" concourse).

I like DTW, myself - mostly because of the pet store where I can by presents for parent's puppy on the way home.

Singapore's Changi airport is where I'd most like to be stuck. It is full of interesting things to see, buy, do, and eat. And, if I'm not mistaken, there are hotel rooms one can rent for half days and the like, to be able to take a short nap and warm shower. What more could a stranded traveler ask for?

National's my favorite--excellent Metro access, good set of shops and restaurants, beautiful architecture, I don't need to get on a bus or train to reach the gates, and I've got the best views in the world coming and going. Also, landing there means I'm home.

Whoever voted Heathrow in has obviously never had to transfer between two Star Alliance carrier flights with two hours to spare. That place sucks!

I can't believe Vegas was #4. Worst airport west of the Mississippi (Newark and Logan share the title for east of the river).

I lived in Austin before Austin-Bergstrom opened, but I did fly into and out of that airport this past fall. Any airport that has Amy's Ice Cream and Salt Lick bbq is good in my book. I also have a fondness for the Orange County airport in California, but it's too far from me to be accessible.

Internationally, I would vote for Schiphol. Here is the USA, I LOVE Manchester NH airport. So easy to get in and out of.

i love DCA also, but not as a place to be stuck. its points come from its ability to get me out of there! other than that it's boring and the seats are poor and in short supply.

domestically i think pittsburgh also has great shopping, and i've had pleasant layovers in philly.

internationally i agree about schipol and heathrow, and although it's probably too small to make it on the radar, the "international" airport on aitutaki (cook islands) is really just a big open air tent with some benches, but the weather is beautiful and it's like you're already on the beach ... (this probably applies to any small island airports, though i'm not sure how many tents are actually designated international airports)

I once got delayed 8 hours in Atlanta, and I can see why it would win. There are so many shops and restaurants, lots to keep you busy, though 8 hours was still a stretch.

All these people heaping love upon DCA must never fly into or out of the A terminal. What a pit! My husband actually saw a mouse run across the floor, and the bathrooms are just flat out gross.

I have enjoyed strolling through the exhibits at SFO and O'Hare, but I'm not sure that alone would make either of them my favorites.

Pittsburgh's airport is nice (confession - I live in the area, so I'm giving a shout out to my home airport), and I also love the rocking chairs at Charlotte's airport. National also makes my list because it's on the Metro and makes getting into and out of DC really easy.

I recently experienced the Orange County, CA (aka John Wayne) Airport; it is attractive, compact and easy to access.

Its all but impossible to travel east from my home State of Iowa without the unpleasant experience of passing through Chicago's O'Hare. The brachiosaurus the author spoke of likely died at O'Hare while waiting for a weather-delayed connection.

I live in Denver and DIA has to be one of the worst big airports in the world. Although the terminal and concourses are expansive, so much of the space is unused and much of the food and retail stretches from predictable to substandard. Also, Bush Houston Intercontinental ranks similarly. During one arrival, I had to walk through a parking lot simply to get from the gate to baggage. As for the best, I would submit Las Vegas (lots of entertainment options) and Buenos Aires.

Portland, Oregon! I may be biased as a local, but the free wi-fi, good restaurants, shops selling funky local goods, easy public transportation, and attractive art make PDX somewhere I actually enjoy spending time. I also don't see how Vegas made the list- the shuttle and forever security lines make it one of my least favorites.

Frankfurt made the list? I was delayed there for 4 hours last summer; the chairs are impossible to relax in, let alone sleep.

Even though the "Mobile Lounges" are an abomination, the main terminal at Dulles is one of my favorite buildings in the area.

DCA is great and definitely is on my list.

For tiny ones, you can't beat Wichita or Kansas City.

Hartsfield is truly an abomination, though.

favorite: TAMPA free wifi
least favorite: BOSTON charges for wifi

In terms of airports to get in-out of, DCA has to top the list, perhaps among all major city airports.

But in terms of airports to be stuck at, it's a very different question. Tokyo Narita has to be at the top of the list. I'd probably put Charlotte and Pittsburgh up there. San Diego is located right downtown, on the water, so if you leave the terminal, you've got great views and sunny San Diego weather. Denver is pretty good, too.

Pittsburgh is like a mall with an airport attached to it, so there's stuff to look at while laid-over.

Detroit has funky artwork and is worth flying thru at least once (that and okay, I'll admit to being the dork who likes the NWA tram-thingy on their concourse for time-killing).

I enjoy PDX (Portland, Oregon), and MDW (Chicago - Midway). Both have ample shops, eateries and places to people watch. PDX and Buffalo (BUF)have children's play areas after Security. I also like BWI (Baltimore) with it's new and improved terminal but the only play area I've seen there is prior to Security. Lots more eateries and some of the fastest security around cas be found at BWI. I've also had speedy security checks at PDX, and BUF at high travel times.

Columbia South Carolina has a great airport--sunny, rocking chairs, free WiFi, rental cars right outside...fabulous!

Having just spent six hours in OHare a few weeks ago, I was surprised as how little I liked it--there was WiFi (pay), but no really nice restaurants to sit in for a while (Chilis didn't really count!).

Singapore was awesome--computers you could use for free! A spa! Shopping!

Pittsburgh's mall-like airport is fun, if you have time...

As a former Portlander, I like PDX.

Because my flight to Taipei last month was diverted, I got to see the new Hong Kong airport at 1 AM, then at lunchtime the next day. Shopping is too heavy on luxury goods, but food options are wonderful. And the architecture (by Norman Foster's firm) makes everything else look kind of obsolete. The canopy roofs, with the air vents and other necessities tucked under the main floor, gives the terminals a straigtforward openness.

Tokyo's Narita could use a bit more shopping and food (the McDonald's is so popular that I'd think a decent noodle shop would thrive), but at least there's a thriving sushi place and everything seems to be well priced. Soda pop is less than half what it is at San Francisco!

My Narita prize is a small one--a perfect little Casio World Time alarm clock to replace one that failed after well over a decade of use.

I second the nod to Manchester, NH (MHT) as a great airport. There may be only basic shopping, but security is fast with the friendliest security screeners, it is never crowded, and it is always immaculate.
As for Frankfurt being a favorite, I don't get it! The security screening there is over the top. I have had medical physicals and MRIs that were less invasive than their security! They take so long that you are left scampering to make connecting flights no matter how much time you have in between.

I don't understand how Atlanta was voted as one of the best airports--it's just too big and hard to make a connection.

I like Manchester, NH too, it's a lot easier to access than Boston Logan. DCA's not bad (easy to get in and out of), but I wouldn't want to be stuck there for hours (not enough to do, unless you leave the secure area).

Schiphol is the best, not only are the cozy chairs wonderful, but the easy access is great, I booked a 10-hour connection there before going onto London City (another favorite)..where I was off the plane and onto the train to the hotel within 45 minutes. The train station at Schiphol allowed me to include a trip to the Hauge before continuing my journey.

Domestically, most of the airports suck, particularly Dulles and Dalles. I don't like spending much time in any of them

While Charlotte is perhaps my all-time favorite, Charleston SC is great, especially with the new renovations, WiFi, rocking chairs and fantastic views.

I add my vote for Manchester (MHT) as a great small airport. I also like Dulles when I able to hang out in one of the airlines' lounges such as the Red Carpet CLub.

Tokyo is the best - napping areas, private shower rooms and extremely efficient check-ins and connections.

JFK is much better than it used to be. And you can get there by train now.

Newark is not fun. Long lines for check in, security and taxis.

Nassau in the Bahamas is also pretty run down, with only one or two very crowded and overpriced souvenir shops and not one but three security checkpoints.

Will second the motions for PDX and Pittsburgh, and will second the questions being thrown up over Frankfurt and Heathrow. I also can't say I was impressed by Hartsdale, the one time I had to fly through there. Everything's too big and too far away, especially if you're schlepping bags.

I LOVE the tent-as-international-airport image from the Cook Islands visitor. I've seen plenty of barn-as-international-airports (Sarajevo, Amman, Larnaca) but never tents.

Saying my home port of JFK is better than it used to be is like saying Attica is better than it used to be. That said, the Airtrain monorail system really is a great improvement over those miserable buses. And the JetBlue terminal is nice, with free wifi and decent restaurants inside security, but seating is at a premium (even when they're not in total meltdown mode).

EWR and LGA suck, and EWR enjoys the extra added bonus suckage of being expensive to get to from New York City proper.

I'd vote for PDX (Portland, Oregon) as well. Great ambiance, short lines, free WiFi and not too crowded.

I don't see Charles de Gaulle airport as being traveler-friendly. Most of the restaurants are close half the time and generally you can't find anywhere to sit (other than the floor) while waiting for your next flight.

For favorites I'd vote for AUS (Austin, TX) since it is does a great job of capturing the "essence" of Austin with local eateries instead the standard airport franchises, local shops and (best of all) live music.

Least Favorite: A tie beween Logan and Dulles.

I agree about Heathrow, but I am no fan of De Gaulle or Frankfurt, the latter just reaks of cigarette smoke.

I would add Dubai to the list. Great facilities, shopping and a hotel inside the airport.

Charles de Gaulle is fourth? That's ridiculous. It's the most unfriendly and poorly organized airport I've ever had the displeasure of using. Everything is closed, even short lines take absolutely forever (the employees are more interested in talking with their friends than helping anyone), there is no place to sit, and the terminal shuttle system was apparently designed by Marquis de Sade.

It's small, but I love the Knoxville airport. Rocking chairs, floor to ceiling windows and a decent food/shopping options for such a tiny airport. I have spent many hours there, flying between DCA and Tennessee, and the facilities there just cannot be beat.

Cincinnati, if you can believe it, has the best commuter-flight terminal I've ever seen. Walks are all short, lots of signage, plenty of seats, and excellent food choices. Check out the Pub in one corner for nice touch of England -- real Guinness and fish-n-chips! If you have to make a connection on Delta, you're much better off going through Cinci than Atlanta!

I vote for Reagan too. It's convenience alone -- right on the red line -- gets rave reviews for me!

I second the vote for connecting through Cincinnati--it's straightforward and easy to navigate. I've connected several times through that airport in about half an hour (some flights only schedule in a half hour of connect time, and it's definitely doable). Whenever I fly Delta I try to connect through Cincinnati instead of Atlanta.

The Knoxville airport isn't too bad. I like Pittsburgh's Airmall too (and comes with free WiFi).

Worst airports: Dulles, LaGuardia

How could anybody vote for National (DCA)? It's the "fast food" of airports.

It's been a while since i've been thorugh, but Tampa and Orlando used to be the best for people and car/taxi movement. I was told that Disney participated in the design because they are the experts at moving people.

TSA has messed-up a lot of formerly user-friendly airports.

Is Reeneyroo just a Bob Barr pseudonym?

National is nowhere near the Red Line.

The Manchester, NH airport is a favorite, for I can get through it with minimal hassles. I also like the Albuquerque Sunport (ABQ) for its unique Southwestern architecture.

If I were to pick a domestic airport to be stuck in, it would be Portland International (PDX). A branch of Powell's book store is located in the airport's Oregon Market, and shopping is tax-free.

For airports outside the U.S., Copenhagen's Kastrup (CPH) is a real jewel-stunning architecture and lots of amenities and shops.

it's nice to see those folks who like our airport; so do we locals, we just hate having the highest fares around. Here's a vote for Dublin as one of the best airports: easier to navigate than Shannon and better shopping.

I would have to agree with the author on Philly's airport. I was also pleasantly surprised with how the time passed.

I would also plug DCA just because the security line always seems to progress faster than the other area airports, and you cannot beat a Starbucks at check in.

Worst airports: I hate Denver. I am always stuck in the terminal with the randon/generic eateries. I expect more from Denver.

Dulles also makes my list. For one, the security lines are a nightmare, and that terminal bus thing is rather scary. I am glad they are upgrading soon.

There is no way Newark and Logan are tied for worst airport east of the Mississippi (as someone claimed above). Newark is far superior to Logan. And Logan is not nearly as bad as Laguardia, which is the worst airport in America. That's especially true if you count the Marine Air Terminal. Getting stuck there is like getting stuck on the side of a mountain with no food. Contrast that with getting stuck in Logan's USAir or Delta terminals, which aren't bad at all.

Charles DeGaulle!!! I just came through there and it was one of the most unpleasant experiences both ways. Hard to follow directions. Grumpy security. No place anywhere to sit and put your shoes on after having to remove them. uncomfortable seating if you can find it, and loooong lines to get food.
I love National, although there could be better eating areas. Hard to find sit-down eating.

National does need more eating choices, especially for breakfast food (the Delta pier has virtually nothing, the US Airways pier has more choice). It also could use some WiFi (of all airports, I'm surprised it doesn't have anything).

Logan's Delta terminal is really nice (built a few years ago). The US Airways terminal is pretty good too.

People who voted for Atlanta as one of the best airports should have their heads examined. I lived in Atlanta from 1/2001 through 8/2005 and flew out of Hartsfield-Jackson for business or pleasure all over the US about 30 times in that period. Atlanta was one of the worst airports I had to go through. The places to eat were mediocre at best and so were most of the stores. Lines from the airline counters or from the security checkpoints often snaked into the central Atrium. If you took Atlanta's subway system, MARTA, to the airport, you had to know where your airline's counter was before you got there, because there was and is no signage telling subway riders which airlines are on the north side and which on the south. The one exception is the international concourse, which is nice. But National, Philly and Minneapolis-St. Paul are far better large city airports and West Palm Beach and Savannah better small city airports.

DCA, not even close! At dinner last night, my friends and I were discussing how glorious life would be if all airports were like that, before our morning flights to DCA, Las Vegas, LGA, Dayton, Ohio, and BWI.

DCA has frequent flights to useful places, is within minutes of a major city and NoVa business district, and almost entirely experienced flyers. I will gladly overlook the less than ideal food options and the occasional brush with the Terminal A, for that combination.

As for nothing to do when you are stuck, there, how about a 90-minute trip into the city for lunch, a quick exhibit, or to an ACTUAL mall, two train stops away?.

And have you ever been stuck there? As far as I remember, I haven't been stuck there since chaos with the USAirways shuttle in the summer of 1996, I think. O'Hare has made me very skilled at figuring out how not to be stuck in any airport, ever. (Maybe I should write a book. . .)

I would say the food at SFO makes it a premium holding spot, unless you arrive at 4:45 a.m. connecting from the west. The food is not so important then.

My bottom of the barrel: Richmond. Just having to walk by the smoking rooms with smoke so thick that the smell has wafted from the room. And that none of the food places open in time for passengers on the first morning flights to grab something.

Detroit Metro. Good food (excellent sushi), decent shopping, and a full spa! And no matter how stressed I am, I enjoy going through the tunnel with the lights and music. Plus, it's big enough to support fun things (like the spa), but small enough that you can get across the entire thing in twenty minutes (if you run. I promise.)

Phoenix has that great sandwich place and Atlanta has Chick-Fil-A. Those about the only redeeming qualities I find in US airports - aside from prices being the same as if you shop downtown. Seoul has a very navigable airport but the shopping is expensive and not at all a bargain. Hands-down best shopping is Heathrow - I don't buy anything in London - just arrive early at the airport (earlier enough to get through the painful security) and stock up on paperbacks (which you can't find in the US).

I agree that there's no way I want to be stuck at CDG. The WORST airport I ever had the displeasure of transferring through. Missed my connection due to their pathetic bus service between terminals, long security lines, and terrible signage. I swore right then and there that I would never travel through CDG again. Frankfurt has actually gotten somewhat better. It used to be really awful, but now it is rather average.

Who voted on this? And how many airports had any of them actually been through? I suppose if you use ATL or FRA a lot and know your way around you might rate it highly or more highly than an airport you only went thru once.

Tampa has actually gotten pretty nice since they fixed it up a couple of years ago.

I love Long Beach's sweet little airport as a convenient and easy alternative to LAX, although I wouldn't want to be delayed there for too long. Likewise Ft. Lauderdale my choice when I need to go to Miami - MIA has yummy Cuban food and coffee, but it's a sea of pushy, obnoxious traveling humanity who have no conception of how to line up for anything.

Internationally I'd pick the tin-roof airport in Liberia, Costa Rica (sounds like the Aitutaki airport described by ffx in an earlier post!) During a delayed departure the staff there made two planeloads of people wish they could stay forever!

Definitely Charlotte. Love the rocking chairs and there is nice easy pace to the airport. I almost look forward to being stuck there. Philadelphia--the only reason it gets any votes is because USAir almost gurantees you will be stuck there. Perhaps more people have more experience being stuck in Philly than any other airport. If you don't want to be stuck in an airport, never fly USAir through Philly. NEVER!!

Worst US airports to be stuck in, in my experience, are Knoxville and LAX international. Our evening flight from Knoxville was delayed last year, but they went ahead and closed the security gate at 7pm anyway. Meaning that if you had to leave the gate for any reason, you could not get back in and would miss your flight. The textbook example of a small airport not suited to handle long delays.

LAX (Bradley International) is a mind-numinbgly boring place to wait for an international flight out into the Pacific. There's a couple of cheesy duty free places, a bar or two, and not much else besides stinky departure lounges unchanged in 20 years.

Orlando (MCO) is the nicest that I've been to. Great shopping, nice food courts & restaurants, and beautiful scenery.

If I have to be stuck, I guess I'd say the MPLS-ST. Paul airport. It's huge, lots of natural light coming in, tons of places to eat, shop, etc. And, if you're going to be stuck for a really long time, you can always take a shuttle across the highway to the Mall of America, where you can shop, ride a roller coaster, and walk through the acquarium. Cool. I'd prefer not to be stuck, though.

I'm scheduled for a 5-hour layover in Mexico City on my way to South America. Could you suggest some things to do in the airport during this time? It will be dinnertime.
I think this would be a good series like the NYTimes "36 hours in ...."
Thanks.

I liked the old Hong Kong airport. If you were in a window seat, you could look up at people in their apartments as you landed. Small airports (e.g., Burbank) can be nice but they also do not have to handle a lot of traffic. I thought the new Johannesburg airport had great shopping opportunities. Sao Paulo (Guarulhos) airport the pits.

I'll take DTW--especially flying Northwest. Having been stuck in Midway for 21 hours, it's not the worst place to be stuck, but I would prefer O'Hare.

Being stuck in Indianapolis would be terrible; it's too small and there is nothing there. Both National and Dulles have problems, but if I had to pick one, I'd say National just because its layout design is less problematic for whoever is stuck there.