Frequent readers of NJBIZ, or frequent fliers, for that matter, might find little to be surprised about in a recent study by the ThePointsGuy.com that examined the best — and worst — airports in the nation.The study expanded upon findings by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, which NBIZ has previously reported on, to examine the 30 busiest U.S. airports — also including data from the Federal Aviation Administration, Google Maps, iFly.com and the airports’ official websites.
And even that couldn’t help the New Jersey- and New York-area airports, which still ranked at the very bottom.
The study considered elements such as “flight delays, cancellations, average security wait times, distance from the city center, public transit options, bars/restaurants, lounges, Wi-Fi costs and parking rates,” but said the “top importance” was how well an airport served its primary function of getting passengers from point A to point B, and here’s the big one for our region’s airports, on time.
The second tier of consideration was the airports’ accessibility by public transportation, while the third category examined amenities (restaurants and lounges, parking fees, Wi-Fi, etc.).
According to the study, the best U.S. airports are:
1. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
2. Portland (Oregon) International Airport
3. San Diego International Airport
4. Salt Lake City International Airport
5. Honolulu International Airport
The worst U.S. airports are:
26. Detroit Metropolitan Airport
27. Chicago O’Hare International Airport
28. Newark Liberty International Airport
29. John F. Kennedy International Airport
30. LaGuardia Airport
According to the study, it was a no-brainer: LaGuardia has the most flight delays and cancellations, and the most expensive parking among the 30 surveyed airports.
The study found JFK has the longest average security wait time and the longest driving time from the city center. Newark, meanwhile, has the second-most flight delays and cancellations, plus the third-longest average security wait time.
At least South Jersey residents got some good news, as Philadelphia International ranked seventh in the survey.
