The Unforgettable Nightmare of Some of the Worst Airports in the US

Traveling even a short distance can be a pain, but when you're dealing with an airport you won't want to visit again, it can turn your experience into a nightmare. In this article, we'll dive into some of the worst airports in the United States that travelers wish to avoid, providing plenty of reasons why.

Logan County's McDonald Airport: A Controversial Past

Middle of the Night, West Virginia, once had a little-known secret to its name. The outdoor restaurant, MC DONALD, located near the small town, was shut down years ago, but it managed to be unique on a map for a brief period. On a few FAA sectional aeronautical charts, the airport was marked as "Hazardous." It only served local pilots for about 30 years, aviators who were competent were able to navigate its unique features with ease. However, it was essentially a 2700 feet curved cow pasture, settled in a rugged, mountain river valley. The airport has long since closed but continues to hold a place in the history of US aviation.

Fort Lauderdale (FLL): A Small and Crowded Dream

After going through security, the experience at Fort Lauderdale's FLL airport might come as a bit of a surprise. Upon arriving, you would find a terminal that is pretty small and quite crowded. The ambiance is rather disappointing for travelers looking for a quick bite to eat. At Terminal 3, specifically in the E gates, there are just two places to grab a meal; and even then, the observant will find that one of them is a gift shop. The options are limited, and this is a place where travelers are advised to bring their own snacks.

A Downcast St. Louis: Not a Pleasant Experience

The airport in St. Louis is not exactly a shining beacon of modernity. The terminal looks completely rundown. The bathrooms are tiny and unclean, evoking a sense of neglect. This is not an airport where you'd feel comfortable dropping your baggage and calling it a day. Moreover, the terminal comes off as an aging relic instead of a modern aviation hub, with barely any renovations in the past seven decades. It stands as a testament to the city's decline, at one time serving as a hub for TWA before American Airlines took over. The city has had one of the steepest postwar population declines in the country, and unfortunately, the airport hasn't been able to avoid the consequences of this decline.

Dfw. Dallas Fort Worth: Running from Terminal to Terminal

When it comes to transferring flights, Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) might very well be the worst. The experience of finding your way from the Arrivals hub to the Departures hub can be both physically and mentally exhausting. There's a continuous running race across a 6-lane freeway, and it's the kind of airport that glues you to your seat, praying that you make it to your next flight in time. DFW is a cautionary tale of how having to deal with large volumes of passengers can lead to a cumbersome and frustrating experience.

Charlotte, Lax, and a Few Others: Not Everyone Is Perfect

Other airports that hold a place in the list of worst airports in the US include Charlotte, LAX, and a few others like Miami, Newark, and Philadelphia. Each has its own set of problems and it seems that despite some improvements in recent years, LAX remains the single worst airport according to personal experiences. The taxiing process can be very long, and the need to run from one end of the airport to the other is a frequent occurrence for travelers.

For the uninitiated, Charlotte might seem like a pleasant surprise. However, the issue arises when it takes a considerable amount of time to taxi the aircraft. In LAX, the traffic and congestion can be inescapable, even though it has improved in recent years. Miami and Newark both have their own challenges but are not as significantly worse as LAX. Philadelphia and Phoenix are also part of the list but have room for improvement.

The St. Louis Lambert International Airport: An Architecture Tragedy

Although St. Louis Lambert International Airport, also known as STL, isn't quite as bad as LAX, it still manages to be a significant letdown. The main terminal was built near the end of World War II and doesn't show much sign of significant renovation. It now looks more like an unfinished carbon copy of the TWA Terminal at JFK, all while lacking windows. The state of the airport mirrors the city's ongoing decline, and it's this reminder that makes your travels there even more disappointing.

Travelers, you have the power to influence what kind of experience you have when flying. While there are some must-avoid airports, there’s also a great way to make the best of your journey.