
Tampa International Airport, located in Hillsborough County, Florida, has received various ratings and accolades over the years. The airport has been recognised for its layout, terminal environment, dining options, and above-average cleanliness standards. Tampa International Airport, also known by its IATA code TPA, has consistently achieved high customer satisfaction ratings and has been ranked among the top airports in North America and the United States. With a history dating back to the early days of commercial airline service, the airport has undergone expansions and developments over the decades.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Tampa International Airport |
| IATA | TPA |
| ICAO | KTPA |
| FAA LID | TPA |
| Location | Six miles (9.7 km) west of Downtown Tampa, in Hillsborough County, Florida, United States |
| Owner | Publicly owned by Hillsborough County Aviation Authority (HCAA) |
| Destinations | 100 non-stop destinations across North America, South America, the Caribbean and Europe |
| Rating | 3-Star Airport |
| Ratings in 2024 | #1 Best Airport for Dining, #1 Best Large Airport in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards |
| Other Ratings | Consistently high customer-satisfaction ratings, ranked 6th among the world's most loved airports in 2011, Top 3 airports in the country by Condé Nast in 2016, Best Airport in North America for its size by Airports Council International in 2020, 8th Best Domestic Airport in the US by Travel+Leisure in 2022 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Tampa International Airport is a 3-star airport
Tampa International Airport (IATA: TPA, ICAO: KTPA, FAA LID: TPA) is a 3-star airport, according to Skytrax ratings. The airport has been recognised for its well-designed layout and appealing terminal environment, which follows a hub and spoke model. The airport's dining and shopping options, both airside and landside, have also been praised. Tampa International Airport's cleanliness standards are considered above average for the region.
However, the airport has limited public transport choices, although it does offer excellent car rental facilities. The airport is located six miles (9.7 km) west of Downtown Tampa, in Hillsborough County, Florida. It is publicly owned by the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority (HCAA) and serves 100 non-stop destinations across North America, South America, the Caribbean, and Europe.
Tampa International Airport has received numerous accolades and high customer satisfaction ratings over the years. In 2024, it was named 'Best Large Airport' and 'Best Airport for Dining' in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. Additionally, Travel+Leisure ranked TPA the eighth-best domestic airport in the US in 2024, while Airports Council International named it the best airport in North America for its size in 2020.
The airport has a rich history, with Tampa Bay being the birthplace of commercial airline service. On January 1, 1914, pioneer aviator Tony Jannus flew the inaugural flight of the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line, marking the world's first scheduled commercial airline flight using a heavier-than-air airplane.
Exploring South Africa's Airport Network: A Comprehensive Overview
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$14.99

Tampa Airport has a good layout and appealing terminal environment
Tampa International Airport, located six miles west of Downtown Tampa, Florida, has been recognised for its well-designed layout and appealing terminal environment. The airport follows a hub and spoke model, with a good range of airside and landside dining and shopping options. The airport's design and layout have been influential, with Orlando International Airport adopting the same landside/airside layout in 1981.
Tampa International Airport has consistently received high customer satisfaction ratings, including being ranked sixth among the world's most loved airports by CNN in 2011. In 2024, the airport was named America's Best Large Airport and Best Airport for Dining in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. The airport's dining options, including Airside C's Bavaro's, Cigar City Brewing, and Ulele, have been recognised as some of the nation's best in their category.
The airport's layout and design contribute to its overall appeal and functionality. The terminal buildings are well-organised, with easy access to gates, dining, and shopping options. The airport also has excellent car rental facilities, although there are limited public transport choices available.
Tampa International Airport has a rich history, dating back to the early days of commercial airline service. The airport has expanded and evolved over the years, with new terminals opening in 1952 and 1971. The logo, known as the "Spirit of Flight", represents the blue waters of Tampa Bay with a jetliner flying into the downtown Tampa sunset.
Overall, Tampa International Airport offers a positive experience for travellers with its well-designed layout, appealing terminal environment, and convenient facilities. The airport's consistent high rankings and recognition are a testament to its ongoing commitment to providing a pleasant and efficient travel experience.
Rajasthan's Domestic Airport Count: A Comprehensive Overview
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$65.99

Tampa Airport has a good range of airside and landside dining
Tampa International Airport is a 3-star airport that offers a good range of airside and landside dining options. The airport follows a hub and spoke model, with a variety of dining and shopping options available both airside and landside.
Airside dining options at Tampa Airport include a range of restaurants, cafes, and fast-food outlets. Passengers can choose from a variety of cuisines, including American, Asian, Italian, and Mexican. There are also a number of bars and lounges airside, offering a selection of drinks and snacks. Some of the popular airside dining options at Tampa Airport include the Tampa Bay Brewing Company, Columbia Restaurant, Chick-fil-A, and Starbucks.
Landside dining options at Tampa Airport are also diverse and convenient for those who are either arriving or seeing off passengers. The landside options include a food court with a variety of quick-service restaurants, such as Burger King, Sbarro, and Quiznos. There are also several full-service restaurants landside, offering a more relaxed dining experience. Some of the popular landside dining options include the Gaspar's Grotto Restaurant, the First Class Restaurant, and the Tampa Airport Marriott's Riverbend Café.
In addition to the dining options, Tampa Airport also features a good range of shopping choices, with options available both airside and landside. Passengers can find a variety of shops, including duty-free stores, souvenir shops, newsstands, and specialty retailers. The airport also houses several popular retail brands, offering a range of products, from fashion and accessories to electronics and gifts.
Overall, Tampa International Airport provides a good range of dining and shopping options for travellers, contributing to a positive experience for those passing through the airport. The variety of cuisines, dining atmospheres, and shopping choices cater to different preferences and needs, making the airport a convenient and enjoyable place to spend time before or after a flight.
Positano Airport: Does it Exist?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$695 $977.99

Tampa Airport's cleanliness standards are above average
Tampa International Airport has been recognised for its high standards of cleanliness, which are considered above average for the region. The airport has received numerous accolades, including being named America's Best Large Airport and Best Airport for Dining in the 2024 USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. This is a significant achievement, as it was up against major hubs such as Nashville International Airport, Salt Lake City International Airport, and John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.
Tampa International Airport's cleanliness standards have contributed to its positive reputation and high customer satisfaction ratings. The airport has consistently received high ratings from JD Power and Associates, and in 2011, CNN ranked it sixth among the world's most loved airports. Additionally, in 2016, Condé Nast named it one of the top three airports in the country.
The airport's cleanliness standards are evident in various areas. The layout and terminal environment are well-rated, with a good range of airside and landside dining and shopping options. The dining establishments at the airport have also received recognition, with local concepts such as Airside C's Bavaro's, Cigar City Brewing, and Ulele ranked among the nation's 10 Best in the Airport Grab-and-Go Food or Airport Sit-Down Restaurant categories.
Tampa International Airport's commitment to cleanliness and hygiene contributes to a positive travel experience for its customers. The maintenance of high standards in this regard ensures that passengers feel comfortable and confident while utilising the airport's facilities. The airport's efforts in this area have been acknowledged by industry experts and travellers alike, solidifying its reputation as a well-maintained and passenger-friendly airport.
Smoking Rules at PUJ Airport: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also

Tampa Airport has limited public transport options
Tampa International Airport has been rated 3 stars by Skytrax, with limited public transport options available. The airport does, however, offer excellent car rental facilities. The following public transport options are available, although they may be limited in terms of frequency and accessibility:
The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) and Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) bus services are available at Tampa Airport. The bus stop is located at the Rental Car Center, which can be reached via the SkyConnect train from the Main Terminal. The PSTA 300X route offers 8 trips per day, Monday through Friday, providing a direct connection to the airport. Pasco County Public Transportation (PCPT) and Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) are also available.
Ride-sharing services such as Uber, Lyft, and Wridz can pick up and drop off passengers at the Red Baggage Claim, Blue Express Curbside, and the SkyCenter One office building's remote curbside. A $5 service fee is added to the cost of the fare for these services. Taxis are also available at the curbside outside the Baggage Claim Level at the Ground Transportation Areas, with a maximum flat rate of $35 to downtown Tampa or the cruise port.
The airport provides a convenient connection between the Main Terminal, Economy Parking, and the Rental Car Center. Off-airport rental car companies offer courtesy vehicles for transportation to and from their facilities, with pick-up and drop-off locations at the remote curb adjacent to the Rental Car Center.
Naples Airport: Does It Exist and How to Get There?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Tampa International Airport (TPA) has been rated as a 3-star airport by Skytrax.
Skytrax rates airports based on layout, terminal environment, dining and shopping options, and cleanliness standards.
Tampa International Airport has received numerous awards and recognitions, including being named America's Best Large Airport and Best Airport for Dining in the 2024 USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. It has also consistently received high customer satisfaction ratings and has been ranked among the top airports in various publications.
























