It is one of those topics every traveler has a strong opinion on: What is the best airport you’ve ever flown through, and what is the absolute worst? Having traveled over the years, I’ve seen my fair share of terminal gates, baggage claims, and airport dining. Here is my breakdown of the places that get it right—and the one that failed spectacularly.
My Hometown Favorite: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Being originally from Fort Worth, DFW was my “home airport” for many years. Because of that, it is easily the one I am most comfortable navigating.
As a kid who was completely obsessed with space, airplanes, and anything that flew, going to DFW was a dream. Back in the day—before heightened security and bad actors changed the rules for everyone—my dad used to take me straight to the airport just to ride the trams and watch the planes take off and land. It was pure entertainment for a young flight enthusiast, and those memories still give DFW a special place in my book.
The Best Major Airport: Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is remarkably well-designed and surprisingly pleasant for how busy it stays. Walking through MCO feels much more like strolling through a high-end shopping mall than trudging through an airline terminal.
Back when we lived in Florida, we figured out a hack for using MCO to our advantage. The night before the flight, we would drive our rental car to the airport and return it early. From there, we would hop on the Disney Magical Express over to one of the Disney resort hotels. We would eat dinner on the property, spend some time exploring the parks or just relaxing at the resort, and avoid all the morning-of airport stress. Once our trip was over and we flew back into Orlando, we’d simply pick up a new rental car and drive home.
The Absolute Worst: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Hands down, the worst airport experience I have ever had belongs to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac). While the actual airport facilities themselves are mediocre at best, the dining options and the surrounding commercial area were flat-out filthy.
In fact, Sea-Tac holds the record for housing the absolute worst McDonald’s I have ever set foot in—and as we all know, that is a remarkably low bar to clear.
The restaurant and the restrooms were disgusting, and a crew of teenagers was running the entire show with zero adult supervision in sight. They took our order at the counter and then proceeded to walk back to our table repeatedly asking what we had just ordered. Even though we had already paid when we placed the order, they tried to demand a second payment when the food finally arrived.
To make matters worse, they were literally throwing food into random paper containers. It took us three separate attempts just to assemble a single burger! The first container held only the bun, the second container held the lettuce and veggies, and the third container had the meat patty. We had to stack it together ourselves at the table just to make our meals. Because they handed it to us in three separate containers, they actually tried to count it as three separate meals. I honestly don’t even remember if we ever got our fries.
While we were sitting there trying to assemble our dinner, the “manager”—the only adult working in the building—finally walked out and bluntly told us we had to leave because they were closing. The Big Guy stood his ground and made it clear we were going to finish eating the food we paid for before we walked out the door. On our way out, they handed us a complimentary bag of pies as an apology, but it didn’t make up for the absolute chaos.
Honorable Mention for Best: Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV)
If we are talking strictly about small-scale efficiency, the honorable mention for best airport goes to Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) in Florida. It is a small regional airport with limited flights, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in convenience. It is easily accessible, always spotless, and the staff there is incredibly friendly from the check-in desk all the way to the gate. On one of our trips, I ended up with a minor nosebleed from bonking my nose on our luggage. I was in a hurry, and it just happened. It was not a big deal, but they responded quickly and even checked on me on the flight.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, a great airport experience comes down to simple things: clean facilities, friendly service, and a layout that doesn’t make catching a flight feel like a punishment. Whether it’s the nostalgia of watching planes at DFW, the smooth layout of Orlando, or the quick in-and-out efficiency of a regional spot like Gainesville, the good ones make travel a joy. As for that McDonald’s at Sea-Tac? I’m still waiting on those fries.
The Dee Zone 