US Airport locations labor under an antiquated air traffic control system and airport locations across the country are setting records for delayed flights. Notwithstanding delays at many airport facilities, unstable financial markets, high fuel costs, currency fluctuations and other air carrier woes, a number of airport locations in the US continue to receive awards for superior service.

Major airport locations continue to see steady traffic growth despite troubles at many airport facilities. Faced with long lines, canceled and delayed flights, and overworked airline staff, air travelers can still find airport locations that offer great, customer-pleasing amenities.

1. Amenities abound where airline hubs and busy airport facilities coincide.

2. Service doesn't suffer for business fliers at larger airport locations.

3. United States airport locations at both ends of the country offer fliers regional quality

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Enjoy top drawer indulgences even at a busy airport location

Airports Council International (ACI) recently recognized Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW) with their Service Quality Award as one of the top airports in North America. Competing against international airports, DFW ranked number 2 in the world for airport locations serving more than 40 million passengers annually.

I recommend: Fly American Airlines in and through their DFW hub. Business travelers with quick connections can refuel at one of 15 Starbucks locations conveniently located throughout the terminal complex. Get some work done, catch up on the latest sports and score some great food and beverages at strategically located Texas Stadium Skybox Bars.

Kick off a great business trip at one of the best major airport locations in the US

San Diego International Airport (SAN), also known as Lindbergh Field, serves over 15 million passengers a year. The highest-ranking ACI award winner out west, SAN is truly one of the jewels of the Pacific Coast, with huge terminal windows letting in the plentiful California sunshine.

I recommend: Schedule your arrival in San Diego around one of the cool Terminal Jazz programs held every month at this unique US airport location. Depart from Lindbergh Field on your next business trip and fly non-stop to 55 destinations around the US, Canada and Mexico.

Travel through award-winning US airport locations whether flying north or south

At opposite points on the compass, Detroit, MI and Austin, TX don't have a lot in common. They do, however, share recognition by ACI as two of the best United States airport locations.

I recommend: Jet into Northwest Airlines' Midwest hub at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW). Experience one of the finest airport facilities in the US at the new state-of-the-art Edward H. McNamara terminal serving Northwest and a host of international flight partners. Catch the swift and silent overhead Express Tram to bypass terminal congestion and make that tight connection. Fly into Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and you'll be welcomed with world-famous Texas hospitality and world-class service. Music in the Air greets ticketed passengers each weekday afternoon, in the heart of the terminal building on the concourse level.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Always reconfirm your flight reservations if you're breaking journey for more than 24 hours. This is especially crucial as cancellations and delays increase.

Making the most of airport locations begins with smart planning and a good eye for unique possibilities. Rather than getting sucked into the rat race of traveling through major hubs all the time, regular airport commuters should consider the benefits of alternative traveling through smaller regional and local airports.

Commuters need not succumb to the madness and unfriendliness of the larger airport locations in the US and across the globe. Choosing the right airports for departure, arrival and layovers can turn a miserable process into a rather enjoyable experience. When choosing airport locations, consider these pointers:

1. Local and regional airport facilities provide much more passenger-friendly accommodations than the travel hubs.

2. Maps of airport locations make finding nearby airports easier.

3. Comfortable travel, both domestic and international, begins with the proper preparations.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Research local airport locations to find accommodations nearest to you

Frequent business fliers are already familiar with all the domestic and perhaps international hubs for air travel; however, flying through local and regional US airport locations offers benefits such as shorter security lines, smaller terminals and better customer attention. Many large metropolitan areas with major hubs also contain smaller regional airports. In the Chicago area, for example, Gary/Chicago International, Chicago Executive and Lansing Municipal are smaller alternatives to the usual bustle of O'Hare or Midway.

I recommend: Find regional or international airports nearest you with AirNav, or search airport locations by airport code at AirportCodes.us.

View maps of locations of airports for a hands-on approach

The visual element of maps can make finding the airport location of your choice easier. Rather than relying only on a search engine of nearby airports, take a look at a map to see possibilities that may have slipped the computer's notice. Sometimes, you can find an airport just outside of a city or in another urban area that turns out to be much more accessible and convenient than you may have thought.

I recommend: For a more interactive approach to searching United States airport locations, see a map of airport locations in the US by state from MapXL. See world airports through World Travel Guide; click on the country to get a list.

Travel comfortably and wisely by choosing the best airport locations

When traveling through unfamiliar territory, deciding your final destination is just half the battle. This is particularly true for world airport locations - if you're traveling internationally, be wary of your flight connections. A long layover somewhere is inevitable, so take precautions on where you get stuck for an extended stay. Frankfurt International and Singapore are wiser choices, while reviewers recommend travelers avoid the ill-maintained facilities in Bombay and Cairo at all costs. To ease domestic travel pains, choosing the best regional and major airport locations in the US is important, as well.

I recommend: Check out customer reviews and insider tips on the best airports for layovers at The Independent Traveler. Also, The Guide to Sleeping in Airports has similar reviews, with a more streetwise approach. U.S. News & World Report compiled a list of domestic airports with high rankings in service and dependability.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Use an airport locations map to double-check your destination. Relying only on airport codes can be confusing - passengers headed to cities with the same names sometimes mix up their destinations. Some passengers can tell their horror stories about thinking they were headed to West Lafayette, IN (LAF) but ended up Lafayette, LA (LFT).

Planning any trip that involves flying in or out of any airport, including international airports, can turn into a nightmare. However, learning about airport locations, advice and ratings for airports on your itinerary can help lessen the possibility of a bad experience.

Being able to find airport locations near your destination is necessary. However, your search doesn't end there. You also have to consider airports where you have layovers, as well as the customer satisfaction rating of each airport. Consider the following suggestions to help you:

1. Find the best airport location near your destination when traveling in the United States.

2. Check out the location of international airports.

3. Know what to expect at airports on your itinerary.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate US airport locations that suit your needs

Finding the US airport locations nearest to your destination is the first step of planning your domestic business trip. However, in some areas, such as near Chicago, there are multiple airport facilities. While low fares in and out of one location may be what draw you to that location, knowing exactly how far it is to your final destination is vital. This is especially true if you will rely on public transportation or cabs to get you to your destination. Another consideration, especially with the strict guidelines for what is allowed on flights, is airport dining. For example, Dallas-Fort Worth area airports generally have high ratings for dining.

I recommend: The Federal Aviation Administration website offers a real time map of major airport locations in the US. There are maps to show the flight delay times and the security checkpoint times. Both of these items are useful when you are trying to determine when you need to leave for the airport. The Fun Times Guide to Food offers guides concerning the airports in the United States and the types of food, along with customer ratings, that each airport has.

Know world airport locations

When travelling internationally, finding airport facilities near your destination is sometimes a challenge. Many locations don't have airports; they only have airstrips. These are nothing more than a landing strip with a basic hangar meant for small private planes. Larger jets may have difficulty landing there, and many don't service commercial flights at all. Knowing the closest airport that services the type of flight you need for your trip, as well as the security protocol in the region, will save you a considerable amount of time and money.

I recommend: FlightStats offers maps of world airport locations, including the airport codes. This website offers a download that enables you to get updates and access real time information on your cell phone. ThereArePlaces offers tips for making it through international airports, including those in Europe. With increased security at airports around the world, these tips can save you time and minimize stress during your travels.

Check the ratings of airport facilities

Various companies rate airport facilities. Checking these ratings before you plan your flight can let you know exactly what to expect at each airport. Almost as important as the overall rating is finding out what services are at each facility. For example, an airport may have high ratings, but it may not have any business services available. This makes it a good choice for a family, but it wouldn't be a good place for a businessperson to have a lengthy layover.

I recommend: J.D. Power and Associates offers ratings for all airport locations in the US. These ratings range from one, which is the worst, to five, which is the best. Airports Council International offers a listing of traveler services at each airport. This information can help you to choose flights that enable you to do business, especially during a layover.