Tag: airports

The Three Germiest Spots in Airports and on Planes

Everyone worries about getting sick from that stale, recirculated air on planes.  But what you really have to worry about is the stuff you touch. 

A study looked at how many bacteria and fungal cells there were on different surfaces.  

Here are the top three things to worry about on the plane:

1.  The “flush” button in the airplane bathroom.  On average, they have about 95,000 CFUs per square inch.  That stands for “colony-forming units.”  95,000 is almost five times as much bacteria as you’ll find in the average kitchen sink.

2.  Your tray table, just under 12,000 CFUs.

3.  Your seat belt.  Specifically the buckle.  Just over 1,000 CFUs.

But the thing you really need to worry isn’t on the plane. 

It’s one of the first things you touch at the airport.  Here are three things to worry about before you board:

1.  The self check-in kiosks.  The screens had an average of 254,000 CFUs.  So almost three times as many as the “flush” button.  And one they tested had over a million.

2.  The armrests on the chairs at your gate, 22,000 CFUs.  That’s slightly higher than what you’d find in a kitchen sink.

3.  The button on water fountains, 19,000 CFUs.

If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that the easiest way to limit your exposure to germs is to wash your hands frequently… avoid touching your face… and wear a mask if you’re sick to avoid spreading it to others. And there’s always the option of wearing a mask yourself, if you don’t trust your fellow Americans to keep their germs to themselves.

The Top 10 Airport Snacks in America (and the One Nobody Likes)

Nothing at the airport is cheap. Somehow grabbing your own bottled water and a bag of chips turns into a “premium dining experience.”

But when you’re facing delays, crying toddlers, and that guy in front of you who still doesn’t understand how TSA works, a comfort snack can save the day.

A new analysis looked at keyword search data around airports across the U.S. to figure out which snacks travelers crave the most when they’re stuck at Gate C12. The results might not surprise you… but they say a lot about how we cope with travel stress.

Here are America’s Top 10 Airport Snacks:

  1. Oreos – The undisputed king of emotional eating.
  2. Jack Link’s Beef Jerky – The snack for people who pretend they’re on a rugged road trip instead of a delayed connection in Dallas.
  3. Cheetos Puffs – Proof that cheese dust is the real MVP of travel.
  4. Cheetos Crunchy Flamin’ Hot – For the bold, the brave, and those who don’t mind orange fingers.
  5. Twizzlers – Great for sharing, or for smacking your seatmate when the Wi-Fi goes down.
  6. Sour Patch Kids – A sweet-and-sour distraction from gate changes.
  7. Dunkin’ Donuts – Because caffeine and carbs are the only things keeping us functioning at 6 a.m.
  8. Welch’s Fruit Snacks – For parents convincing themselves this counts as “healthy.”
  9. Doritos Cool Ranch – The scent of these alone can clear an entire boarding area.
  10. Haribo Gummy Bears – Timeless, chewy, and a solid way to keep the peace on a long flight.

And the least-loved airport snack? Chobani Vanilla Yogurt.

Sorry, health-conscious travelers… apparently no one wants to balance their laptop, boarding pass, and a spoon while sprinting to their gate. (Interestingly, it did rank highest in Massachusetts, where maybe travelers are just better at multitasking.)

So next time you’re running late and debating whether to splurge on snacks, remember: Oreos top the charts for a reason. Sometimes a little sugar therapy is just part of the ticket price.

The Best and Worst Airports in America

While flying still comes with plenty of headaches (hi, baggage fees), it looks like travelers are finally feeling a little better about airports themselves. According to the latest J.D. Power airport satisfaction survey, overall satisfaction is up across North America, with scores climbing 10 points on a 1,000-point scale.

(I don’t know about you, but my airport satisfaction is at an all-time low.)

The study surveyed more than 30,000 U.S. and Canadian travelers and ranked airports based on things like terminal design, ease of travel, baggage claim, food and retail options, and staff friendliness.

Here’s how U.S. airports performed in 2025, broken down by size. We’ve included only the Top 5 Best and Top 5 Worst in each category — so if you’re looking to avoid a travel meltdown, this is your cheat sheet.

Mega Airports

(More than 33 million passengers per year)

Top 5 Best:

  1. Minneapolis–Saint Paul International (MSP)
  2. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW)
  3. Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX)
  4. Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW)
  5. Harry Reid International, Las Vegas (LAS)

Top 5 Worst:

  1. Newark Liberty International (EWR)
  2. San Francisco International (SFO)
  3. Miami International (MIA)
  4. Orlando International (MCO)
  5. John F. Kennedy International, New York (JFK)

Large Airports

(10 to 32.9 million passengers per year)

Top 5 Best:

  1. John Wayne Airport, Orange County (SNA)
  2. Tampa International (TPA)
  3. Dallas Love Field (DAL)
  4. Kansas City International (MCI)
  5. Raleigh-Durham International (RDU)

Top 5 Worst:

  1. Philadelphia International (PHL)
  2. Chicago Midway International (MDW)
  3. Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International (FLL)
  4. LaGuardia Airport, New York (LGA)
  5. Seattle–Tacoma International (SEA)

Medium Airports

(4.5 to 9.9 million passengers per year)

Top 5 Best:

  1. Indianapolis International (IND)
  2. Ontario International, California (ONT)
  3. Buffalo Niagara International (BUF)
  4. Jacksonville International (JAX)
  5. Palm Beach International (PBI)

Top 5 Worst:

  1. Cleveland Hopkins International (CLE)
  2. Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR)
  3. St. Louis Lambert International (STL)
  4. San Jose Mineta International (SJC)
  5. Bradley International, Connecticut (BDL)

What Makes a Good Airport?

The airports that landed on top tend to have easier navigation, shorter security lines, better food and drink options, and friendlier staff. The bottom-ranked ones? Think long wait times, packed gates, and fewer services.

So if you’re deciding between layovers or booking a trip out of town, these rankings might save you a few headaches — or at least help you pack some extra patience.

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