2 Florida Airports Named America’s Favorite Domestic Airports

Step into the whirlwind of U.S. airports, where the excitement never stops. From coast to coast, these hubs are like mini-cities buzzing with life. Whether you're navigating the terminals of big shots like New York and LA or soaking up the local vibes in smaller cities, every airport has its unique style.

Travel + Leisure revealed the best travel destinations and organizations globally in their 2023 World's Best Awards reader survey. This 28th edition of the awards highlights the top players in the travel industry, including the best domestic airports. This year, Travel + Leisure readers voted for their favorite domestic airports. They primarily focused on convenience, like short security lines, abundant parking, and easy-to-navigate terminals.

Each year, as part of the World's Best Awards survey, the travel site's readers participate by sharing their travel experiences. They voice their opinions on the finest hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Over 685,000 votes were cast, covering more than 8,500 distinct properties, including hotels, cities, and cruise lines, among others. These airports were evaluated on various criteria, such as access, check-in/ security, restaurants/ bars, shopping, and design.

Most airports on the list are regional ones. They tend to provide a less crowded and more relaxed experience compared to their larger counterparts. While regional airports serve as convenient alternatives. Especially when the major international airports become too congested to manage the passenger flow efficiently. However, it's worth noting that some major international airports are also included in the list. The site says that it ensures a diverse range of options to cater to various travel preferences.

This year's top 10 list includes two Florida airports. Ranking at number 3, is Tampa International Airport, which was highlighted for its exceptional services and amenities. Not far behind, at number 8, is Palm Beach International Airport, winning the hearts of the travel site’s readers.

If you’re curious to see who else made the cut, check out the full list here.

Ouch. That one stings a little. A brand-new index study reveals Punta Gorda Airport is the worst Florida-based airport. 

The experts at FloridaRentals.com have revealed the best and worst airports across Florida. They indexed all 19 Florida-based airports, ranking each destination against 14 factors to receive a score out of 100. Here's how they got the score.

Rankings are based on several factors such as: number of scheduled outbound direct flight destinations, average minutes delay per flight, average minutes delay due to weather, average minutes delay due to security, average minutes delay due to aircraft arriving late, average cost of hotels within 5 miles (for 1 night), and percentage of all operations cancelled. 

I think this study may show more about Allegiant Air than Punta Gorda. Allegiant makes up the bulk of commercial flights in PG.  Skytrax, an online airline review site gives Allegiant a score of 3 out of 10. But, Allegiant is known as an ultra-low cost carrier, so the old adage of "you get what you pay for" comes to mind.

The Punta Gorda Airport has been making some definite improvements. There's now a 40-seat bar with runway views between Gates 2 and 3. There's also a food and beverage counter near gate 1. They also have food trucks in the short term parking lot. Sure, there's always the chance your flight gets delayed, but food trucks and drinking always makes the extra time go by easier. Our guy Pete is flying out of Punta Gorda next month, so we may revisit this.

Also, many of these airports are discussing or are in the middle of big improvements. So they know how busy they are, and they are expanding. A LOT of people are coming to Florida, so airport expansions are happening.

Southwest Florida International in Fort Myers fared much better in the study, ranking in the middle of the pack of Florida airports. So let's see how they stack up.

Ranking in second place is Miami International Airport, scoring 71.52 out of 100. There are 183 scheduled outbound flights from MIA, and 460 hotels within a five-mile radius. A night's stay near MIA costs an average of $180.69 for one night. Miami International Airport also has plans to improve, after recently announcing plans to open a private luxury terminal service for commercial flights in 2025. 

In third place is Tampa International Airport, scoring 69.97 out of 100. With 93 scheduled outbound flights and an average 4 minute and 3 second air carrier delay. There are 274 hotels within a 5-mile radius of TPA, with Booking.com locations averaging 5.89 stars. 

DAB scored a 68.34. Avelo Airlines now flies to Daytona Beach. 

FLL scores a 66.21. The delays back in April were not their fault. You can't fly planes when the runway was flooded. 

MCO scores a 64.24 on this list. They have 3 new parking lots under construction to help alleviate some of the parking issues. 

SRQ scores 63.40 with this list. They had record growth in June and are expanding. They just broke ground on a new terminal back in March. 

Our very own RSW scores 62.28. Also growing. The expanded terminal is expected to be operational in 2025.

JAX scores a 62.16. A new concourse and expanded parking coming in 2025.

GNV scored a 61.70. Silver Airways is the latest addition to this airport. 

This island airport scored a 61.62. The new concourse A should be ready in 2025. 

PNS scored a 59.62. TSA equipment upgrades have been causing delays. That should be done soo, if not already.

TLH scored a 58.26. Tallahassee International Airport  set a record for gun interceptions in 2022, with 15 firearms — 13 of them loaded – being discovered by the TSA. That will slow the line down at security.

PBH scored a 57.75 and we head down towards the bottom of the list. Good news if you're delayed, there's lots to do. An eight-hole putting green and a full spa. 

A 54.89 for this airport. But you get free entertainment.

A 51.27 score. It's a great way to get to the Panama City Beaches. Traffic there is booming and they're planning an expansion to parking, the terminal, and a new holding room for bags. 

This is where the scores really dip. The PIE has a 39.23. Remember that story last week of the extreme turbulence? They were flying to this airport. 

SFB scored a 35.37. This is the one that I thought would be at the bottom. It frequently shows up on the 'worst airports' list. There's a plan to build a connector from State Highway 417 to the Orlando Sanford International Airport. I guess so you can get there quicker for the experience.

Placing bottom of the list is Punta Gorda Airport, scoring 33.84 out of 100. PGD has an average 21 minute 13 second flight delay, and an average 46 minute 24 second delay due to the aircraft arriving late. 28.49% of PGD’s operations are delayed.