The 15 Most Surprisingly Cool Airports in the United States
Airports usually mean security checks, crowded gates, and long waits. But scattered around the United States are places that turn the dreaded layover into a moment worth remembering. Some bring art into terminals, others offer local food or outdoor views you wouldn’t expect at an airport. Here are 15 airports that prove flying doesn’t have to feel routine.
Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
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A quick glance around Minneapolis–St. Paul International shows why it gets high marks from travelers. Shops and restaurants are plentiful, including a Prince-themed pop-up store selling records and memorabilia. Food lovers find lobster rolls at Smack Shack and Juicy Lucys at Blue Door Pub. Beyond that, the Voices of MSP program lets real employees record announcements, which turns simple boarding calls into a uniquely personal touch.
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)
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Not many airports let you breathe desert air while walking between gates, but Palm Springs does. Terminals connect with open-air walkways surrounded by palm trees. The baggage claim has a playful golf-course theme, a nod to the city’s resort identity. Mountains frame the horizon, so even the wait outside feels like part of the destination.
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
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At Detroit’s main airport, movement is part of the design. The McNamara Terminal stretches so far that a cherry-red tram runs overhead to cut the walk down. In the middle of the concourse sits a 39-foot fountain, where arcs of water cross and shift like flight paths on a map. A tunnel of shifting lights connects concourses, turning a simple walk into an unexpected show.
Long Beach Airport (LGB)
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The Art Deco terminal has roots in the 1940s but has been carefully updated. Its partly outdoor design gives it a breezy vibe, and passengers often step onto the tarmac to board flights. Views of the harbor and shipping port add to the scene. Smaller than LAX yet closer to the coast, LGB feels effortlessly cool.
Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
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In Indianapolis, the terminal doubles as a place to stretch out. Walking routes are marked throughout the building, from a quick quarter-mile lap in the Ticketing Hall to longer circuits that span more than a mile around both concourses. It was also the first entire airport campus in the U.S. to earn LEED certification. Travelers who’d rather rest than pace can stop for local coffee or a pint of Sun King beer.
Portland International Airport (PDX)
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The patterned carpet may be the most photographed feature at Portland International, but the airport offers much more to pass the time. A small cinema runs short films around the clock, free of charge. Local flavor is everywhere: Stumptown coffee, House Spirits tastings, and one of Nike’s strongest retail outlets. Bike lanes run straight to the terminal, Wi-Fi doesn’t cost a cent, and the overall vibe feels unmistakably Portland.
Dallas Love Field (DAL)
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Dallas Love Field carries a history that’s hard to miss. It was built in 1917 as a training base for Army pilots, and it later became the launchpad for Southwest Airlines. Today it handles more than 16 million passengers annually. Its biggest advantage over DFW is location—just seven miles from downtown.
John Wayne Airport (SNA)
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The AirPAWS program at John Wayne Airport in Orange County brings trained therapy dogs through the terminals to meet passengers. The idea is simple: calm nerves, add a smile, and remind people that travel doesn’t have to feel tense. Add in the airport’s smaller size and proximity to Disneyland and beach towns, and SNA becomes more than just another stop in California.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
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Few airports have turned reputations around like New York’s LaGuardia. It used to be mocked for congestion and outdated facilities, but now it’s home to spacious new terminals. Terminal B tripled security space with automated bin systems, while Terminal C features floor-to-ceiling windows and restaurants from local favorites like Bubby’s. Billions went into the redesign, and travelers noticed.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
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“America’s Friendliest Airport” is a big claim, but Sky Harbor backs it up. Travelers have more than 100 restaurants and shops to choose from, so a layover rarely feels empty. The airport is also looking ahead with plans for a new terminal built without tax dollars. A light rail link runs directly to downtown Phoenix, giving Sky Harbor the rare combination of size, convenience, and genuine approachability.
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV)
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Savannah/Hilton Head International terminal design borrows from a Southern town square, complete with benches, decorative brickwork, and even a clock tower. It’s small, so lines and crowds rarely overwhelm travelers. Shops sell cigars and golf gear, while the PGA Tour Grill adds a regional flavor. The relaxed layout and scale give this airport a reputation for being one of the easiest to navigate.
Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
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At Buffalo Niagara, about 100 nonstop flights head out daily to 31 destinations. The airport has leaned into a cashless system, with parking, concessions, and vending running on cards or mobile pay. What keeps it from feeling too sterile are the details: rocking chairs placed throughout the terminal give the space a quieter, more local character.
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
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Tampa International has poured resources into keeping the travel experience modern. The SkyConnect train, designed in Japan, runs between terminals and rental facilities in minutes. Sustainability shows up in its electric charging stations and alternative-fuel fleet. The standout detail, though, is inside: a 21-foot flamingo sculpture stretching into the ceiling, a playful landmark that makes the airport instantly recognizable.
Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD)
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T.F. Green International near Providence is small but mighty. It serves as a convenient alternative to Boston Logan, with easy access to much of New England. Known for short lines and straightforward design, it avoids the chaos of bigger hubs. The future looks busier, as Breeze Airways is setting up operations here with dozens of weekly flights expected in the coming years. For now, PVD remains a low-stress option.
Jackson Hole Airport (JAC)
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Jackson Hole is the only commercial airport located inside a U.S. national park. With the Grand Tetons rising in the background, the scenery is hard to match. The timber-and-stone terminal was built to blend into its surroundings rather than stand apart. It may be Wyoming’s busiest airport, but its small scale keeps the arrival feeling personal and striking.