PDX Soars as America’s Best Airport with Therapy Llamas and Quirky Charm

When it comes to airports, most of us dream of breezing through security and finding a decent coffee without a second mortgage. A recent survey of over 2,300 travelers, backed by 450,000 Yelp reviews, crowned Portland International Airport (PDX) as America’s finest, and it’s easy to see why. Picture live trees, sky-lit ceilings, and a giant pink mailbox that screams quirky charm. Therapy llamas roam the concourses on occasion, calming frazzled flyers, while a speakeasy and microcinema make layovers feel like a mini-vacation. PDX’s '80s-inspired carpet? A cultural icon.

Coming in at No. 2, Long Beach Airport (LGB) in California channels Art Deco elegance with a courtyard for al fresco dining and summer concerts. Just five miles from the beach, it’s an oasis of calm in the Los Angeles sprawl. Meanwhile, Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National (DCA) snagged third for its unbeatable views of the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial, plus a short stroll to gates that makes travel feel almost effortless.

Other standouts include Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP), where travelers unwind with massage chairs, local short films, and Prince-inspired music, nodding to the city’s native son. Seattle’s Paine Field (PAE) feels more like a boutique hotel with its leather couches and wine bar, while Rhode Island’s Providence (PVD) wows with impeccable bathrooms and a free library. New Mexico’s Albuquerque (ABQ) brings southwestern flair with Native American murals and piñon coffee, and Indiana’s Indianapolis (IND) scores for its sleek design and mile-long walking paths.

Utah’s Salt Lake City (SLC) shines with mountain views and non-extortionate shop prices, while Michigan’s Detroit (DTW) dazzles with an LED-lit underground tunnel and a 39-foot fountain. These airports prove it’s not just about getting from A to B—it’s about the journey feeling a little less like a chore.