5 Best Airports in the West

Airports are not created equal; some streamline your trip with well-designed efficiency, while others seem to impede and annoy you at every turn. These five airports in the West win accolades for ease of travel and first-class amenities. 

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Arizona

JD Power ranked PHX third for passenger satisfaction in the “mega airports” category, giving points for ease of travel, terminal facilities, dining options, and the politeness and helpfulness of its staff. Respondents called it “spacious” and “calm,” quite a feat given that PHX served almost 52 million passengers in 2025. The Wall Street Journal has also chosen PHX as its favorite airport several times in recent years, citing low cancellation rates thanks to Arizona’s reliably clear weather and an average time on the tarmac under 15 minutes.

Travelers looking to stretch their legs should know about PHX’s notable Fitness Trail, a mile-long route from gate A30 to D18 that offers views of Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak, and the city skyline. And look for the buskers who perform at designated locations in terminals 3 and 4.

Portland International Airport (PDX), Oregon

This year Portland beat Seattle in AirHelp’s much-watched airport passenger satisfaction ranking, coming first in the U.S. according to measures of on-time departures, ease of travel, and quality of the facilities. The Washington Post concurred, calling out PDX for features like a “micro-cinema” that shows short films by local artists and a policy requiring restaurants and bars to charge approximately the same prices for meals and drinks as those in town. 

The recently renovated PDX is gorgeous after a $2 billion makeover that almost doubled its size and transformed the central terminal into a bright, plant-filled atrium roofed with locally sourced wood and dotted with skylights. Navigation is also a standout, with concourses D and E now connected directly to the terminal, shortening your time to the gate. And the teal geometric carpet beloved by Oregonians has been reinstated, inspiring a new round of “carpet selfies.”

Dozens of new shops and restaurants from well-known Pacific Northwest brands are open or slated to open this summer, including Powell’s Books, Pendleton, Pilot House Distilling, and Blue Star Donuts. Don’t miss the Aurora speakeasy, which opened last year inside Loyal Legion beer hall on the pre-security mezzanine level. While it’s not exactly a secret, the dimly lit interior still feels mysterious, with glinting glass blocks and slithering velvet lounges. Ask the bartender to enter or just look for the “Curiosity opens the door” sign.

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), Utah

Since beginning a phased $5.1 billion rebuild in 2014 that is on track to finish this year, Salt Lake City International has risen steadily in multiple measures. For on-time departures, it now ranks first in the country at an impressive 84%. SLC is also a hub for Delta, ranked one of the top airlines for on-time flights and second for overall reliability according to NerdWallet, and the most popular airline according to YouGov, a global research data and analytics group. The new central terminal is designed to take full advantage of Salt Lake City’s spectacular mountainous setting with 50-foot glass walls that fill the interior with light and frame the red rock peaks tipped with snow. Like Portland International Airport, SLC is popular with passengers for its requirement that airport restaurants, bars, and cafes maintain pricing equivalent to those in the city.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO), California

While SFO remains the airport locals love to complain about (it’s almost unavoidable due to its passenger volume, complexity, and hemmed-in urban location), the truth is that years of construction have vastly changed the landscape, resulting in better on-time performance and higher satisfaction ratings. The $2.6 billion Terminal 3 expansion project, currently underway, will add 200,000 feet of space, including high-tech bag drop counters and security lines that will aid in speeding passengers through.

Instead of sitting at a crowded gate or staring wistfully at a lounge, take a breather in one of three yoga rooms, the reflection room for meditation and prayer, or the groundbreaking sensory room for neurodiverse travelers. The expansive soundproof space features interactive wall screens to engage the mind, a tactile calming area, and a life-size airplane cabin designed to prepare anxious travelers for the onboard experience. Parents will appreciate the seven eye-catching play spots scattered throughout the terminals, particularly Spirogyrate, an immersive installation that features 6-foot-tall, color-changing, spinning discs activated by a motion-sensor floor.

Denver International Airport (DEN), Colorado

Thanks to its role as the largest operating hub of United Airlines and as one of the primary hubs for both Southwest and Frontier, Denver has more direct flight routes than any other western airport—235 as of the latest statistics, more than New York’s JFK, Miami’s MIA, or Los Angeles’s LAX. It’s also one of the country’s most visually arresting: Its white tented roof is designed to mimic the snowy peaks of the nearby Rockies. You can even get outside to savor the view from some gates. Outdoor decks at the ends of the A, B, and C concourses are a best-kept secret. 

Food at DEN is as playful as the iconic 32-foot-high rearing mustang that looms over the entrance road (fondly nicknamed Blucifer for its flame-red eyes and menacing expression). Local favorites include Argentinian fare at Maria Empanada, creative combos at Fat Sully’s Pizza, savory ramen at Uncle, and New Mexico–style Southwestern cuisine at new arrival Santo.