PDX best airport in the country

Nor is LAX.....

MSP ranked number 4. It is a good airport and why I drive 2 1/2 hours to get there instead of flying out of Duluth. One thing I especially like is that there are a lot of local restaurants at the airport, and not just chains.

Here's a gifted link to the article for any who wants to see all the rankings. https://wapo.st/40ukB4z

You might have to register (just use a burner email) but you won't have to pay.

I’m not surprised that TPA Tampa International made the list at #11!

We're #1! (my home airport!) It is very nice. they are still finishing up some details (there's always construction at every airport) Baggage claim hasn't changed much at all. That's right...I said it....I check my bags sometimes.....

LA made it on the list....Long Beach!
And Seattle did too! Paine Field

Yogi Berra famously said, "No one goes there any more, it's too crowded."

The problem with WaPo's list is it features basically airports that are easy to use because no one wants to go to there.

What good is Portland to me. Last week I went from Denver to Bellevue, Wash. I flew into SeaTac, and it was a half hour trip on I-405 to Bellevue. It would have been an almost 3 hour trip from PDX. I could have flown one stop via their highly ranked SLC or SFO, but then it wouldn't have been non-stop. So how good an airport is, is pretty academic when you have to get somewhere else.

And speaking of DIA, it's a great airport, well laid out for the amount of traffic it handles, but it's one of the busiest airports in the world, so naturally it's a little more difficult to navigate.

Colorado Springs is a great airport, only six gates. You can park right in front and easily walk to your gate. But most United flights to eastern cities have a change at DIA. You might as well start at DIA.

Nor is LAX.....

I hate LAX.

Who thought using an unmarked bus system, where there's no announcement of which stop is next and the international terminal is not so named, to get from terminal to terminal was a good idea?

I'm never flying out of, or in to, that airport again.

PDX is fantastic, 'tho.

-- Mike Beebe

Since PDX is my Home airport, that's kinda nice to know!! Thanks for the heads up!

Laughing at DCA being #3. Whoever said that didn’t fly Southwest there, that part of the airport feels very 1940s, toilets are a joke (wife won’t pee there). And saying it has a scenic approach?? SEA, New York LGA, and Chicago Midway have a scenic approach, DCA is mostly water and the National Harbor Center + beltway, not that scenic.

Other recent rankings

https://airlinepolicies.com/best-airports-in-the-us/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2024/09/18/ranked-the-best-airports-in-the-us-and-canada-according-to-jd-power/

SAN Diego has one of the most scenic approaches of any U.S. Airport with planes literally flying adjacent to the downtown. That’s why I question how these lists are even compiled. As for WaPo picking PDX for best airport—you have to wonder what their methodology was to come to that conclusion. Is it because PDX isn’t really a hub for anywhere else, and therefore isn’t highly trafficked? If that’s the criteria, maybe the airport in Medford, Oregon is even better!

If one is wondering what their methodology was to come to their conclusions, no wonder necessary. The methodology is pretty well spelled out in the article. The reasons why it was chosen are also pretty well spelled out in the article. Suppositions about traffic and hubs are not relevant to the intent of the ranking.

I've been to a handful of the top 10 and based on the criteria in the article, the ones that I have visited, were a cut above.

I agree, Mr. E. The article was clear about the criteria they used to make the list. I like that smaller airports get some recognition. Maybe Duluth airport will step up its game a bit.

The Portland (PDX) site for those who want a look:

https://www.travelportland.com/plan/portland-international-airport-pdx/

I flew out of PDX in March and was very impressed.

Huh, my two airports are on the list - IAD is #17, and RIC is #37. I like them and whether they're on the list or not, isn't important. "Shopping" or "cool things" as criteria do nothing for me personally.

PDX has always been my preferred airport, but SEA is closer. I detest SEA except the lounges. PAE is great, but I wish the flights operated out of there were where I need to go. It’s 15 minutes from our home and would be so much more convenient.

I fly to PDX at least once a year to visit family. The new renovation is absolutely stunning! It really captures the feel of the natural beauty of the area.

FWIW: This what I value in an airport.

1. Clean, colorful, spacious and uncrowded toilets with artwork on the walls and partitions between the urinals. No shrieking wet hands blow dryers a plus. (MSP wins on this account, best airport toilets in US, no fresh flowers though).

2. Solid ground access, by freeway, minor issues w/traffic backups when accessing, and rail transit connection. Incidentally DCA has the rail connection but is poor on road access, often congested and I am related to people who have had to abandon their rides and walk between unmoving cars to get to terminal.

3. Speedy baggage handling, quick delivery at carousel, MSP does this well.

4. Rental cars walking distance and no shuttle. MSP has this, also DCA, Grand Rapids, Dayton, Orange County, Charleston, others. Dislike PHX, LAX, LGA, ABQ, LAS, Sacramento, Midway, others with mandatory shuttle. It adds so much time on both ends.

Mardee, thanks for the gifted article. It was a fun read.

Carol, you're welcome. Yes, I enjoyed it, too!

Rental cars walking distance and no shuttle...

Toby, I agree with everything you said. I'm not sure if you've ever flown out of Cincinnati (CVG) but their rental cars used to be 10-15 minutes away by shuttle. It seemed to take forever to get there, and I hated it. However, about 5+ years ago, they had a major renovation and now it's just a quick walk past security to get there. It is so much nicer now.

PDX...been there...last time earlier this month. It's OK.

I vote for Easterwood. Hands down winner.