LOS ANGELES, CA — The Washington Post scoured the country to compile a list of the best airports, and several in sunny Southern California made the cut. So fasten your seatbelt as you soar through the list.
More than 450 airports with at least 1,000 passenger departures were analyzed to compile the “Best Airports in America” list. During the analysis, the Washington Post learned travelers prefer airports that are easy to get to and through above all else.
“Most U.S. airport rankings focus on the largest, but your nominations (and Yelp reviews) make it clear that you prefer smaller airports,” The Washington Post said about its ranking methodology. “We analyzed feedback from more than 2,300 readers to identify your priorities, and weighted the factors we found make a beloved airport.”
Only one Southern California airport made the top-10 list.Coming in second place nationwide, with its historical terminal, outdoor venue and musical events, is the Long Beach Airport (LBX).
“Fresh air. Sand beneath your feet. Palm trees. Yes, all at the airport: Travelers adore the courtyard that brings the beach to the airfield,” The Washington Post said about the self-described “coolest airport” in America. “There’s even a long fire pit if the nights get chilly. One reader calls it their ‘airport oasis.'”
In order from first to last, these are the airports across the country that made the top 10 list:
- Portland International Airport
- Long Beach Airport
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
- Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport
- Seattle Paine Field International Airport
- Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport
- Albuquerque International Airport
- Indianapolis International Airport
- Salt Lake City International Airport
- Detroit Metro Airport
In a social media statement Thursday, the Long Beach Airport said: “It’s official – we’re among the greatest airports in America.”
These are the other Southern California airports that made the top 50:
- John Wayne Airport (No. 12)
- Hollywood Burbank Airport (No. 14)
- Ontario International Airport (No. 15)
- Santa Barbara Airport (No. 23)
- Palm Springs Airport (No. 35)
For the full rankings by the Washington Post, click here.
