Airports in North America

Situated within the city limits of both Newark and Elizabeth in New Jersey, USA, Newark Liberty International is approximately 15 miles (24 km) south-west of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Having handled just over 33 million passengers in 2010, it is the United States’ tenth-busiest aerial hub.

Newark Liberty International comprises three passenger terminals: Terminal C consists of two ticketing levels, while Terminals A and B have four levels. Ticket counters are on the top floor, gates and shops are on the third floor, an international arrivals lounge (Terminal B) and baggage carousels are on the second floor, and short term parking areas make up the ground floor. Each terminal features three concourses.

With clean amenities and a decent array of dining and shopping venues, quick check-in and security facilities and numerous transport options to and from the airport, Newark Liberty International is, in spite of its relatively small size, an efficient airport worthy of being the country’s fifth-busiest international air gateway.  

Will Rogers World Airport (OKC) is located six miles (8km) from downtown Oklahoma City. The airport is named for a popular comedian and cowboy from Oklahoma. In fact, travelers going to Oklahoma should be sure to pack their Stetson, or just have fun seeing how many cowboys you can spot while at the airport.

The airport has a limited selection of shops and restaurants and only one terminal with concourses branching off it. It serves nearly 3.5 million people each year. While this makes it Oklahoma’s busiest airport, it is not a high-traffic airport by North American standards.

Flights to Will Rogers World Airport can be booked on many popular US airlines. There are a number of cities across the US with flight connections to Oklahoma City; some of the busiest non-stop flights to Will Rogers World Airport come from Dallas, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Newark, Detroit and Salt Lake City.

Will Rogers World Airport offers a more personal feel to flying. Yes, there are still security checks and sometimes the queues can get long, but most of the time passengers will have an easy airport experience. Perhaps, naming airports after comedians makes them less stressful places or maybe it’s just the laid-back feel of Oklahoma.

At just 2.3 miles (3.7km) east of downtown Ontario, Ontario International Airport (ONT) is a small but well-equipped alternative to Los Angeles Airport and John Wayne Airport for passengers flying to California.

The number of flights to Ontario International Airport has been declining steadily in recent years (there were 4.8 million passengers in 2010, but the terminals are built to handle twice that) - some say due to the lack of direct flights to major destinations, in comparison with other airports nearby. However, those who use the airport agree that it is a convenient alternative, well connected to nearby air fields and towns, easy to get in and out of, clean and with good basic facilities.

A major gateway to the Sunshine State, Orlando International Airport (MCO) is Florida’s second-busiest airport (Miami International is busiest) and the 29^th busiest in the world. It's not to be confused with Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB), which also serves the city but is further from the major attractions of Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal Studios Florida. Orlando International is a mere 6 miles (11km) from the downtown area.

Flights to Orlando International Airport arrive from across the US and the Caribbean, South America and major hubs in Europe.

This spacious airport is easy to navigate, has lots of natural light, features loads of shops and restaurants, and is decorated with masses of leafy pot plants and fountains. Staff members are generally pleasant and helpful, and overall, it's a great introduction to sunny Florida. 

Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) is conveniently located just 3.5 miles (6km) west of Palm Beach, Florida. It’s a really accessible airport as it is just off the Interstate Highway (I-95) and it is close to Boca Raton, Jupiter and a number of surrounding counties.

Passengers using Palm Beach International Airport will find that there’s a fair selection of shopping opportunities ranging from gifts and souvenirs to newspapers and books. Restaurants at the airport range from those serving on-the-go passengers to full-service dining, as well as a couple of bars.

There are loads of domestic flights to Palm Beach International Airport and even a few international flights. The international flights to Palm Beach are generally from the Bahamas and from Canada, but the flights from Canada tend to be seasonal. The airport is serviced by a wide selection of North American airlines as well.

Palm Beach International Airport is a friendly airport that is easy to navigate and security queues are usually quite short. While there aren’t that many passenger amenities, Palm Beach International tends to be a relaxing airport to use and it makes travel a lot less stressful than some of the busier or more crowded airports in Florida.

Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is two miles (3km) from downtown Palm Springs. This outdoor airport has an open terminal with grass and gardens. The airport serves roughly 1.5 million passengers each year and is connected directly and indirectly to more than 500 destinations across the United States and around the world.

The airport has a fair selection of shopping opportunities and food and drink facilities. It is also relatively well connected with Palm Springs and the surrounding areas. There are loads of taxis serving the airport and a number of buses. There is also an Amtrak Station nearby in Palm Springs.

Passengers keen to visit Palm Springs can book flights to Palm Springs International Airport on a number of airlines including American Airlines, Continental and Delta. Non-stop flights to Palm Springs International Airport can be booked from Washington, Chicago, Denver, LA and Las Vegas as well as many other cities across North America.

With its open plan terminal and great location close to downtown Palm Springs, this airport is a great choice for people wanting to visit the region for a vacation in the sun or for business. The sunny weather in Palm Springs does have its disadvantages though as flights to Palm Springs are generally less frequent during the hot and dry summer months.

Philadelphia International Airport is the largest airport in Pennsylvania and an international hub for US Airways. It's also the main gateway to Philadelphia and Pennsylvania generally.

Philadelphia itself, affectionately known as Philly, is often referred to as “the Birthplace of America”. With a rich and varied history, it's the fifth-largest city in the US, and has a metropolitan area spanning 12 counties. As a result the atmosphere, architecture and demographic varies quite widely depending on which area you travel to, from up-market art and design centers and historic quarters to working-class areas and quiet, leafy suburbs.

The airport is one of the busiest in the world. It has seven terminals, two of which are international terminals, and more than 160 shops and eateries. The immigration counters are notorious for being understaffed and poorly organized and long queues are common, so if you're catching a connecting flight, make sure you arrive well in advance.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is 3 miles (4.8km) from downtown Phoenix, and is the biggest and busiest airport in Arizona. It's a hub for both US Airways and Southwest Airlines, which offer flights to Phoenix Sky Harbor International from a large number of airports across the US and Mexico.

Phoenix itself is a sprawling metropolitan area in the Sonoran Desert, with hot, dry summers and mild winters. It has a number of sports attractions, museums, golf courses and even an aquarium.

If you're heading into town, consider hiring a car – although the Metro line is fairly user-friendly, the city is very car-centered and you'll probably find it easier to have your own wheels.

Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) is located between Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point in North Carolina.

There is a great selection of shops at the airport including a PGA Shop, for all those golfing enthusiasts. Piedmont Triad is also well serviced by transport options including buses, taxis and hotel shuttles. For those driving to and from the airport Interstates I-40 and I-85 are right on its doorstep.

Flights to Piedmont Triad International Airport are available with a number of North American airlines. The airport operates almost 60 flights per day to cities across the United States, including Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Detroit and Miami.

Although security procedures tend to take a significant amount of time regardless of which airport you’re in, Piedmont Triad is still a great one to choose if you want to spend less time at the airport and more time at your destination. It’s reasonably small, but still well serviced by major airlines and well connected. Plus, the roaming Airport Ambassadors, each equipped with an iPad, are a great help.

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is about 20 miles (32km) from central Pittsburgh. There are more than 160 flights to Pittsburgh International Airport every week, making it the second-busiest airport in Pennsylvania after Philadelphia International.

The city of Pittsburgh is built at a confluence of two rivers, so the city's 2.5 million citizens are divided into pockets with different architecture and cultures. The combination of bridges, rivers and steep hills make it a scenic city to explore.

This is a large and well-designed airport which frequently wins awards for quality, and has plenty of shops and restaurants near the gates to keep you entertained before departure. Although there's no train service, it's easy to get from the airport into the city by bus.