Getting ready to hop a plane for Thanksgiving? Head to the airport knowing that Tampa International is ranked the second best airport in the nation by Conde Nast Traveler.
“Tampa’s airport feels like a vision of the future from 50 years ago (because it was), but think of this more as the timelessness of TPA. The shuttles taking people from the central terminal to the satellites were unique at the time, and they still function well today. It’s an easy airport that’s very close to downtown, and that makes it a winner,” the latest rating reads.
TIA ranks behind only Indianapolis International Airport. That Midwestern airport is only six years old and boasts an easy-to-navigate TSA security checkpoint and a terminal filled with local favorites.
This isn’t the first time Tampa’s main airport has received high accolades. In 2011 it was rated No. 6 on a CNN list of most loved airports in the world. In 2010, Conde Nast Traveler ranked TIA third. It was ranked the best airport by Travel & Leisure in 2008 as well as second for on-time arrivals and departures. The popular airport also received accolades in 2000, 2002 and 2003.
Other airports that made this year’s list include Portland International Airport, Long Beach Airport, John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, Calif., Palm Beach International Airport, T.F. Green Airport in Rhode Island, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.
Travelers may want to avoid LaGuardia Airport just outside of New York City. It’s ranked the worst on the Conde Nast list. Traveling to NYC doesn’t offer a better option though – JFK airport also made the top 10 worst list. Also on the failing side are airports in LA, Newark, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Philadelphia, Washington Dulles just outside D.C., Kona in Hawaii and Memphis.
