Is your preferred New York airport one of the best airports in US? According to the Washington Post, it might be—but just barely.
In a recent nationwide analysis, the Washington Post evaluated over 450 U.S. airports to identify the top 50 based on public feedback, travel data and airport experience. While major travel hubs in the Northeast often get attention for their size and traffic, only two airports in New York made the cut—barely making it onto the list.
Here’s how local airports stacked up, and what the rankings tell us about the flying experience in and around New York City.
The Top 10 Best Airports in US
The top-ranked best airports in US intended to be smaller, more efficient and easier to navigate – according to both public votes and detailed metrics. Here’s the top 10 list released by the Washington Post:
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Portland International Airport (PDX)
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Long Beach Airport (LGB)
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Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
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Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
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Seattle Paine Field (PAE)
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Rhode Island T.F. Green (PVD)
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Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)
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Indianapolis International (IND)
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Salt Lake City International (SLC)
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Detroit Metro Airport (DTW)
Noticeably absent? Any major New York-area airport in the top ranks.
Which New York Airports Made the List?
Two airports in the greater New York region managed to sneak into the top 50:
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Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) – Ranked #46
A quieter alternative to NYC’s main airports, MacArthur saw over 1.2 million passengers in 2023. Its smaller size likely contributed to a smoother passenger experience, helping it earn a spot on the list of best airports in US. -
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) – Ranked #49
Despite its massive 33.5 million passengers in 2024, LaGuardia landed toward the bottom of the list. Still, this is a notable improvement, likely due to recent renovations, including new terminals and upgraded amenities.
JFK Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport were not featured in the top 50 best airports in US list at all.
How Were These Rankings Decided?
The Washington Post developed a multi-layered methodology:
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Passenger Feedback: Over 2,300 readers submitted nominations, which were adjusted to account for geographic bias.
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Yelp Reviews: The volume and quality of food and shopping options were scored using Yelp’s data.
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Public Transit Accessibility: TravelTime data was used to determine how quickly an airport could be reached via transit.
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Traffic and Parking: Mapbox helped assess road traffic and available public parking.
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Efficiency: TSA complaint data, gate availability vs. passenger volume, and terminal crowding were all factored in.
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Intangibles: Clean restrooms, modern terminals, and other “quirky” features were considered bonuses.
How Do New York Airports Compare?
New York City’s main airports—JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark—are some of the busiest in the nation, but they’re rarely recognized for user experience. While LaGuardia’s inclusion at #49 signals modest progress, it also highlights the ongoing challenges of flying in and out of the city.
By contrast, airports that topped the list tend to be smaller, more manageable, and better integrated with public transportation. Travelers ranked them highly for things like short TSA lines, on-time flights, walkable terminals, and surprisingly good food.
What This Means for New York Flyers
For New Yorkers, this ranking is a reminder of the trade-offs that come with best airports in US. Convenience and flight availability often outweigh comfort and speed. But with recent upgrades at LaGuardia and planned improvements at JFK, there’s hope that NYC’s airports could rise higher in future rankings.
And if you’re seeking a calmer experience? Long Island MacArthur might be worth the extra drive—especially for domestic travel.
New York is home to some of the busiest airports in the world—but not necessarily the most beloved. While LaGuardia and MacArthur barely cracked the top 50, their inclusion shows there’s progress, even if slow.
With travelers increasingly valuing ease and comfort over sheer size, it’s clear that smaller airports are setting the new standard as the best airports in US. Will New York airports continue to evolve and climb the list? That remains to be seen.
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