American Airports: Hassle Or Smooth Sailing?

With over 19,700 airports in the United States, it is hard to say whether American airports are the most hassel. 5,170 of these airports are open to the public, and 503 serve commercial flights. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the US, handling 45.4 million passengers on 337,023 flights per year. The top five busiest airports in the US are Atlanta International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Denver International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport, and Los Angeles International Airport.

Long security lines and immigration waits

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has also faced challenges in keeping up with the growing number of passengers. Staff shortages and budget cuts have resulted in longer lines as they struggle to efficiently screen travellers. Additionally, security measures and protocols can be time-consuming, especially when additional screening or behaviour detection is required.

Another factor is the location and design of the airport. Some airports, like Washington Dulles International Airport, are located far from the cities they serve, making access difficult. Others, like Los Angeles International Airport, have confusing layouts that make it hard for passengers to navigate, especially when trying to reach connecting flights.

Immigration and customs wait times can also vary significantly by airport, time of day, and season. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Miami International Airport (MIA) are known for particularly long wait times, while Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) offers quicker processing. Peak travel times, such as Wednesday through Saturday, tend to result in longer waits.

To avoid lengthy delays, passengers can consider enrolling in expedited security programs like TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, which offer faster processing through designated lanes. Additionally, choosing flights during off-peak seasons and travelling on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Sundays can help reduce wait times.

Poor airport design and confusing layouts

New York City's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is another American airport with a confusing layout. Travellers often have to deal with the run-around of getting between terminals after clearing security. The airport has also been criticised for its poor ground transportation, with no direct subway connection from NYC, which means travellers are often stuck in traffic on their way to the airport.

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is a large and bustling airport that has been criticised for its confusing signage. Finding one's way between terminals and locating amenities can be challenging for travellers.

Other airports with confusing layouts include:

• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), which has outdated facilities, cleanliness issues, and high prices for essential goods and services.
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), which is about to undergo significant parking changes that are likely to cause confusion.
• San Jose International Airport (SJC), which has long security lines and is difficult to reach due to heavy traffic and congestion.
• Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL), which has been criticised for its long baggage claim times.

Delays and cancellations

For instance, in 2024, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) had the highest delay percentage (37.18%), while Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) had the highest cancellation rate (2.74%). Florida and Texas airports also featured prominently on the list of airports with the highest percentage of delays.

Some airports are notorious for their high cancellation rates. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is one of the worst offenders, ranking among the airports with the most cancellations for the first half of 2024. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is another airport with a high cancellation rate, partly due to its location, which is prone to frequent weather disturbances.

LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York City saw the largest increase in cancelled flights from 2021 to 2022, with a staggering 497.89% jump. Orlando International Airport also struggles with timely arrivals and departures, with only 68.3% of flights arriving or departing on time.

Several factors contribute to delays and cancellations at American airports. Weather conditions, system outages, and flight disruptions are common causes. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the airline industry, and some airports are still recovering from the effects.

Poor ground transportation and traffic congestion

Firstly, inadequate infrastructure and poor urban planning play a significant role in the congestion experienced by American airports. Many airports are located in densely populated metropolitan areas, such as Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), which makes it challenging to accommodate the high volume of travellers and results in congested roads and highways leading to the airports. This is further exacerbated by the lack of direct public transportation options, such as efficient train or subway connections, forcing travellers to rely on private vehicles or shuttle services, adding to the congestion.

Secondly, the road networks surrounding American airports often struggle to handle the volume of traffic during peak hours. The concentration of travellers arriving for flights or commuting to work during specific time frames overloads the ground transportation systems. This is a common issue in major cities, where a significant portion of the population travels during the same time periods, leading to congested roads and highways. The situation is further worsened by the increasing number of households owning vehicles and the shift towards private transportation, reducing the usage of public transit, walking, or bicycles.

Additionally, population growth and rising incomes contribute to the congestion problem. As metropolitan areas expand and experience economic growth, more households can afford to purchase vehicles, leading to an increase in the number of cars on the road. This trend is evident in suburban areas, where residents often rely on private vehicles for their daily commutes, further straining the road networks, especially during peak travel times.

Furthermore, incidents and accidents are another factor contributing to poor ground transportation and congestion. High volumes of traffic during peak hours increase the likelihood of accidents, which then cause additional delays and disruptions to the flow of traffic. This issue is not unique to American airports but is a worldwide problem, affecting cities with high population densities and a significant number of vehicles on the road.

To address these issues, several strategies can be considered. Improving public transportation options, such as providing efficient and frequent train or bus services to and from the airport, can reduce the reliance on private vehicles. Additionally, implementing congestion pricing or toll roads during peak hours can help manage demand and encourage travellers to consider alternative routes or modes of transportation.

In summary, poor ground transportation and traffic congestion at American airports are caused by a combination of factors, including inadequate infrastructure, limited public transportation options, population growth, rising incomes, and high volumes of traffic during peak hours. Addressing these issues requires a multi-faceted approach, including improving public transportation, implementing congestion pricing, and enhancing road infrastructure to accommodate the growing demand for travel.

Lack of amenities and limited dining options

American airports have a poor reputation for their lack of amenities and limited dining options. This is a significant issue, as it can cause frustration and inconvenience for travellers, especially those with long layovers.

Many airports in the US offer a limited range of dining options, which can be a problem for those with specific dietary requirements or those looking for a more substantial meal. For example, Miami International Airport (MIA) has been criticised for its limited dining options, with many stores and restaurants closing by 9 pm, leaving travellers with few choices for late flights. Similarly, Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) has been rated poorly for its dining options, with high prices and a lack of cleanliness in some areas.

In addition to limited dining options, some American airports also lack other amenities that would enhance the traveller's experience. For instance, Denver International Airport (DIA) has been criticised for its lack of shuttle drivers, resulting in the closure of two parking lots and causing further inconvenience to travellers. Another example is the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), which has been described as having "closed or overcrowded restaurants and shops", indicating a lack of capacity to handle the high volume of travellers.

The issue of limited dining options and a lack of other amenities can be attributed to various factors, including staffing shortages, poor management, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the travel industry. These issues contribute to a less enjoyable travel experience and can deter people from choosing certain airports for their layovers or future travels.

To improve the situation, airports can invest in refurbishments and upgrades to enhance the dining options and other amenities available to travellers. This can include introducing a wider variety of restaurants, improving cleanliness, and ensuring that essential goods and services are reasonably priced. Additionally, efficient management of security checks and baggage claim processes can help reduce congestion and improve the overall traveller experience.

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