Airport Locations Advice and Ratings

Minimize frustrations when traveling through airport facilities
By Casey Holley 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.

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.
Try:  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.
Try:  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.
Try:  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.