Best airports? Passenger survey gives the nod to Indianapolis, Milwaukee and other airports
What’s the best way to rank airports? That's a trick question. There are as many ways to measure airports as there are passengers, of course.
Depending on the day I might rank them according to where I can find a good vegetarian meal, where I know I’ll always be able to see great art or where the restrooms are always spotless.
You might rank airport by best cocktail bars, nicest lounges or the ability to squeeze in some plane spotting. Categories in the TPG Awards include rankings such as Best Loyalty Program and Best Airline Elite Status.
For its annual Airport Service Quality (ASQ) awards, Airports Council International (ACI) World collects passenger interviews conducted in participating airports around the world. For 2021, the awards are based on customer experience across 34 different performance indicators, such as access, check-in, security, food and beverage, and cleanliness of the airport’s overall facilities.
“After a second year of the pandemic, this year’s Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award winners are especially reflective of customer experience leadership during the most challenging time in our sector’s history,” ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira said. “We are exceedingly proud of their stellar leadership in delivering the very best customer experience.
In 2021, participating airports submitted over 370,000 surveys. When the tallying was completed, 110 awards were won by 87 individual airports around the world in categories that include Best Airports by Size (measured in passengers per year) and Region, as well as Best Hygiene Measures by Region.
Indianapolis makes the list, again
In North America, Indianapolis International Airport (IND) won an Airport Service Quality Award in its category (5 to 15 million passengers per year) for the tenth year in a row, making it the only airport in the United States to win the honor for a straight decade.
“It’s the love and relentless dedication that our staff has put into this place that has made us the top airport in North America again and again – more times than any other airport in the country,” said Indianapolis Airport Authority Executive Director Mario Rodriguez. “This is a tremendous honor, and we are incredibly proud of all the people who make this airport an example that all others can aspire to.”
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) and General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) won in this category as well.
Related: TPG readers share their favorite airport restaurants
Milwaukee gets an ASQ Award for the first time
For MKE, It’s the first time the airport has won one of these awards.
“For the first time in MKE history, it’s an honor to see Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, including our staff and our partners, receive this well-deserved recognition for providing an outstanding level of service to our passengers,” said Airport Director Brian Dranzik. “These awards are determined through direct passenger feedback, so it’s gratifying that they are having a world-class experience when they choose MKE.”
Among large airports with over 40 million passenger year, Hartsfield-Jackson International Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) received 2021 Airport Service Quality Awards.
Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) won in the 25-40 million passengers per year category. Tampa International Airport (TPA) was the sole winner in the 15-25 million passenger per year category and Maine’s Portland International Jetport (PWM) was the sole winner in the 2-5 million passengers per year category.
Related: Beloved teddy bear left at Milwaukee Airport back home where it belongs
Best hygiene is a new category thanks to COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to have a major impact on passenger traffic, and evolving health measures have created a new set of expectations that affect how passengers view the airport experience. For that reason, ACI World added new health and hygiene related questions to its survey in 2020.
For 2021, eight North American airports received awards in a new category, Best Hygiene Measures by Region.
- Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP)
- Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR)
- Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP)
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
- San Antonino International Airport (SAT)
- Tampa International Airport (TPA)
- Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
- Victoria International Airport (YYJ)
The new hygiene category complements ACI’s Airport Health Accreditation program, a tool developed during the COVID pandemic to help airports align their health measures with global standards. There are currently more than 300 airports participating in this program.
Related: The new and revamped US airports coming in 2022 and beyond
Bottom line
In response to the pandemic, ACI World has made some adaptions in the awards program. The organization reduced the number of airport participants in each category from five to three and did not make awards in several categories this year, including Most Improved, Best Airport Customer Service, and Best Airport Environment and Ambiance.
For 2021, a recognition that is separate from the Awards program was made to recognize airports that demonstrate “significant efforts in gathering passenger feedback to better understand their customers during the pandemic.” Indianapolis International Airport (IND) received that award, the Voice of the Customer Honor.
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Intro offer
Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.