Airports in USA

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and dining and shopping options in this airport are no exception. With more than 50 retail and food options throughout the five terminals, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston has plenty to keep travelers busy.

The downside of this huge airport is that it can be very confusing for those passing through for the first time, and as a result of its size a fair amount of time needs to be allocated for getting to your gate – this can be a bit stressful if you have a tight connection. While quite efficient and not known for long delays, the airport maintains an almost cheesy 1970s facade – perhaps in line with the Dallas theme?

Flights to George Bush Intercontinental Airport are available from many major cities, including London, Amsterdam, Paris, Chicago, Toronto, Mexico City, Washington DC, Sao Paulo, Atlanta, Tokyo, and Moscow.

Named after the man who donated the land for the airport, Hector International (FAR) is located 3 miles (5km) northwest of the center of Fargo, North Dakota. It received a much-needed makeover in 2008, including an expansion of its passenger terminal as well as construction of a new gate, baggage claim and security checkpoint area.

A small and charming airport, Hector International features a basic, yet sufficient, array of amenities for its modest number of annual passengers. A customs service is available for international flights, however the airlines - Allegiant Air, American Eagle, Delta and United Express – offer only domestic flights.

Hector International is no Heathrow, but what it lacks in size and passenger traffic it makes up for in friendly and efficient customer service. In fact, staff are so accommodating that they’ll put a flight on hold if queues at security are slow.

As the main gateway to Hawaii, Honolulu International Airport (HNL) is one of the busiest airports in the United States, with 21 million travelers passing through it each year. The airport is busy with old-fashioned terminal buildings that haven't changed much since they were built in the 1960s.

There are three terminals at Honolulu Airport, and as the airport is not as well-signed as it could be, transferring between them can be very confusing. The Commuter Terminal and the Interisland Terminal serve smaller regional airlines. The Interisland Terminal also sees some flights to and from the US mainland and Hawaiian Airlines' international flights. The Overseas Terminal, also called the International Terminal, serves all other international arrivals and departures.

The city of Honolulu, about five miles (8km) from the airport, has more than 1 million inhabitants and is as bustling as any major city. Although you might want to go further afield for that remote-island holiday, it's a warm and hospitable first experience of Hawaii.

Indianapolis International Airport (IND) is just 7 miles (11km) – a 15-minute drive – from downtown Indianapolis. The airport is well connected with interstate highways and the Indianapolis Beltway. Although it's the largest airport in Indiana, it’s easy to navigate. It has just one main terminal and two concourses, with arrivals on the lower level and departures upstairs.

Delta is the main carrier at Indianapolis International Airport. There are also a number of other airlines that offer flights such as Air Canada, AirTran, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways.

Indianapolis International Airport is efficient and convenient, with a decent selection of shops and restaurants that don't overcharge. It's a great introduction to Indianapolis itself, which has many museums, art galleries, sporting facilities and festivals.

Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) is conveniently located just 9 miles (14km) from central Jacksonville, on Florida’s sunny north Atlantic coast.

The airport is easy to navigate as it consists of one terminal with two concourses (A and C). A third concourse is planned for the airport, but will only be operational after 2013. The airport is also used by the Florida Air National Guard, so keep an eye out for some impressive military jets.

Jacksonville Airport is used by most North American airlines. Many airports across the United States, such as those in Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Baltimore, Chicago, Washington and New York are connected to Jacksonville International Airport.

With loads of shops and eateries, there’s always a lot to do at the airport. Jacksonville International Airport even has an art gallery and live music performances during peak travel seasons. It's the perfect gateway to the sun-kissed beaches of northern Florida.

James M Cox Dayton International Airport (DAY) is located 9 miles (14km) from Dayton’s central business district. Dayton, Ohio, is known as the birthplace of aviation as it was from the Huffman Prairie in Dayton that the Wright brothers made some of their first flights.

Dayton International Airport is well connected in Ohio and the surrounding states. It is close to the intersection between Interstates 70 and 75. The airport is also only a short flight from most popular destinations in the United States. With its great location and wealth of food, drink and shopping options within the terminal, Dayton International is a convenient and pleasant airport to use.

James M Cox Dayton International Airport prides itself on being at the top of the United States’ 90-minute air market, meaning that most domestic destinations can be reached from Dayton International in just 90 minutes.

Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD), also known as Joe Foss Field Airport, is three miles (6km) from the center of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the largest city between Minneapolis and Denver. Founded in 1883, this Midwestern city has about 150,000 permanent residents and is a major tourist gateway to the northern Great Plains.

Named for famous aviator Joe Foss, the airport began its life as a military base during World War II, and still serves as a Midwestern base of operations for the Air Force. Today it averages more than 200 commercial flights per day, moving more than 700,000 passengers per year.

Direct flights to Sioux Falls Regional Joe Foss Field Airport include those from Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, Dallas, Denver, Orlando, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Las Vegas. There are also connecting flights to more than 200 cities across the country.

John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is one of the busiest airports in the United States. It is also the first taste of New York City that most passengers get when flying to the United States. The airport is located in Queens and is 12 miles (20km) from Manhattan, where most tourist attractions are located.

JFK Airport is well stocked with every type of amenity a passenger could ask for. There are loads of shops, restaurants and bars at the airport, as well as hotels, parking and public transport facilities. However, busy airports often forget the finer details and JFK is no exception. Passengers may find it less than user-friendly at times, mostly due to its large size, and the enormous volume of passengers filing through on domestic and international flights (more than 46 million each year).

With eight terminals, flights to John F Kennedy International Airport are easy to come by on most major airlines. Passengers booking flights with American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue and Evergreen International Airlines should find it easy to get a flight to JFK Airport as all these airlines use the airport as a regional hub.

John F Kennedy International Airport is not only a gateway to the Big Apple – for many, it is a gateway to the United States. Although big, the airport is well equipped to deal with loads of passengers and using JFK should not be a daunting experience.

John Wayne Airport (SNA) is located in Orange County in California, 14 miles (23 km) from Disneyland Resort. It was the first airport in the United States to be named after an entertainer – the film star John Wayne.

The airport has one main terminal, the Thomas F Riley Terminal, which houses both Terminal A and Terminal B. With two airline lounges, a fair amount of shopping opportunities and a range of food and drink options to suit all wallets, John Wayne Airport is a comfortable airport to use when traveling to California. 

A number of airlines operate at John Wayne Airport. Some of the popular destinations served from the airport are Atlanta, Houston, Newark, Oakland and Honolulu. Terminal B’s concourse is currently under construction, but passengers using the airport will find that the airport offers convenience and a welcoming attitude.

Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is situated 15 miles (24km) northwest of central Kansas City. It was originally called the Mid-Continent International Airport, hence its IATA code. Currently the airport serves more than 10 million passengers per year with non-stop flights to 49 destinations.

Flights to Kansas City International arrive from airports such as Denver, Washington, Boston, New York, Chicago, Charlotte, Dallas, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, Atlanta and Florida. The airport has three terminals, although there is currently a plan to build a central, connecting terminal building by 2025.

Kansas City International has been rated consistently as one of the best airports in North America, so you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the level of efficiency during your time there. If, for some reason, you're stuck for a while, there are more than enough restaurants and stores to keep you busy, as well as free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal buildings.

The atmosphere is friendly in this bustling airport, and there’ll always be somebody ready to offer assistance should you need it.