Which are the best airports in the US and abroad for business travel?
Traveling for business can be vital in many industries, allowing you to develop closer working relationships with clients, suppliers, and partners. Meeting in person often allows for much greater collaboration and is an excellent way of building trust.
However, some airports are better suited to business travel than others. Facilities like business lounges can make these journeys more pleasant for clients and partners while allowing employees to be more relaxed, focused, and productive when traveling for business.
Additionally, outside factors like the distance from the airport to the local business district or the availability of nearby hotels can make some airports much more appealing for business travel than others.
With this in mind, Booking.com for Business has considered various factors, such as the availability of lounges, the number of nearby hotels, and the distance to local business districts for major airports in the United States and abroad. We’ve combined this data into an index, giving each airport a business travel score out of 10 that allows us to reveal the best airports for work-related journeys.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the best choice for business travel in the United States
*The Skytrax airport rating is a benchmark of airport excellence, giving airports a score from one to five. This is awarded following detailed audit analysis and assessment of each airport’s product and front-line service standards.
1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Georgia
Business travel score: 7.98
According to our index, the best airport for business travel in the United States is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), which earned a score of 7.98 out of 10. The airport scores very well for the number of direct routes it operates, with 237 available, more than 43% of which offer business class.
There are 40 hotels within two miles of the airport, making it very convenient for travelers with late arrivals or early departures. ATL is just a short 18-minute car journey from downtown Atlanta, giving you plenty of time to make it to your meetings.
The airport also has a great variety of shops for you to browse while waiting for your flight, with more than 100 to choose from, in addition to some fantastic restaurants offering every cuisine from reuben sandwiches to southern fried chicken and sushi.
2. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), California
Business travel score: 6.90
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has the second-highest business travel score of 6.90 out of 10. The airport boasts 22 lounges, giving travelers plenty of options for rest and relaxation ahead of their flight.
Serving one of the busiest cities in the United States, both in terms of business and tourists, Los Angeles International Airport is surrounded by nearby hotels, with as many as 30 within a two-mile radius. There are also 189 direct routes flying in and out of LAX, more than half of which offer business class.
Visitors to Los Angeles International Airport can expect all the usual amenities, shops and restaurants found at major airports, providing plenty of ways for travelers to spend their time while they wait. However, one unique feature of LAX is the farmers market, offering fresh produce and multiple food stands to health-conscious travelers.
2. Miami International Airport (MIA), Florida
Business travel score: 6.90
Miami International Airport (MIA) also earned a business travel score of 6.90, making it the joint second-best airport for flying for work. The airport has plenty of options for pre-flight relaxation, with 22 lounges available, and services an impressive 189 direct flight routes, more than half of which offer business class travel.
While the city has built a reputation as a prime tourist destination, Miami is also home to many burgeoning technology and creative industries. It has also become a hub for international trade and finance, particularly with companies based in the Caribbean and South America, making it an important destination for business travelers.
The Shoppes at Ocean Drive, located in Miami International Airport Terminal D, is a 10,000 square foot store-in-store concept that provides one of the best shopping experiences you’ll find within an airport. However, there are also many ways to find peaceful relaxation, such as spas, a yoga room, and a chapel.
The best airport for each factor in our index
While it is useful to see the top-rated airports for business travel in the United States, each traveler will have different priorities and needs when flying. Therefore, we have also highlighted the best airport for each individual factor used when compiling our index.
JFK Airport offers the most lounges in the U.S.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York
Number of lounges: 27
The U.S. airport with the most lounges is John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), with 27 total. JFK is the main airport serving New York City, operating direct routes to 193 destinations, 67% of which allow for business class travel.
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport has the most direct flight routes
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Texas
Direct flight routes: 258
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) operates 258 direct flight routes, more than any other airport in our study. However, only 56 offer business class flights, around 22%. DFW performs well in most areas we looked at, though only two hotels are located within a two-mile radius, making it slightly less convenient than other options.
Orlando International Airport has the most car rentals to choose from
Orlando International Airport (MCO), Florida
Number of car rentals available: 797
Orlando International Airport (MCO) offers travelers the greatest choice when selecting a rental vehicle, with 797 to choose from, making the 24-minute journey to the central business district even easier.
Harry Reid International Airport has the most hotels within two miles
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Nevada
Number of hotels within two miles: 83
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is the U.S. airport with the most nearby hotels, with 83 within two miles. This makes it very likely that travelers will be able to find a room close to the airport, which is especially important if you’re flying at unsociable hours.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the closest to the local business district
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Arizona
Time to city’s business district: 10 minutes
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is the closest airport to its local business district, which in this case is downtown Phoenix. A car journey from PHX to downtown Phoenix takes approximately 10 minutes. Whether taking a taxi or driving yourself, a good road connection to your destination is imperative to avoid late arrivals, especially when limited public transport is available.
How do airports outside the United States compare for business travel?
Having identified the best airports in the United States for business travel, it is important to consider the same for airports worldwide. International travel can be key to maintaining strong business relationships, especially for larger organizations and those with branches in different countries.
We’ve looked at the busiest airports in terms of passenger volumes and assessed them against a range of factors, such as their Skytrax airport rating, the number of direct routes available, and the percentage of direct routes that offer business class.
We combined these factors and more into an index and used them to calculate a business travel score. This allowed us to rank these global airports and reveal which are best for flying on business.
Dubai International Airport offers the best global business travel experience
1. Dubai International Airport (DXB), Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Business travel score: 9.73
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the best international airport for business trips, earning a 9.73 out of 10. It is also one of the best-connected airports in the world, with 264 direct flight routes, 94.7% of which offer business class travel.
There are 48 hotels within a two-mile radius of the airport, and it only takes 18 minutes to reach Dubai’s Business Bay area by car, making it highly convenient for business travelers.
Dubai International Airport is home to a wide range of luxury and designer brands, providing a high-end shopping experience that is hard to beat. You’ll also be able to pick up these brands at a bargain, thanks to Dubai Duty Free, which also hosts raffles to win fantastic luxury cars and impressive cash prizes. If you’re looking for some quiet time, then the airport’s zen gardens can provide peaceful respite away from the hustle and bustle found elsewhere.
2. Tokyo-Haneda International Airport (HND), Tokyo, Japan
Business travel score: 8.56
Tokyo-Haneda International Airport (HND) has our study's second-highest business travel score, at 8.56 out of 10. Serving the world’s largest city, Haneda is not the only local airport, but it is the closest to the city center. A journey by car takes 30 minutes to reach the Marunouchi District, one of the city’s core business districts.
Tokyo-Haneda International Airport offers a great experience for business travel, with 28 lounges and 95.1% of routes offering business class options to passengers.
There are plenty of ways to pass the time while waiting for your flight, such as sampling traditional Japanese food at the Oedo Food Hall and the Ebisu Mamezono confectionary store. Travelers with a longer wait might also consider visiting the Izumi Tenku no Yu 24-hour spa, which boasts multiple hot springs, baths and saunas, including a tranquil rooftop bath with views of Tokyo and Mount Fuji.
3. Frankfurt Main Airport (FRA), Frankfurt, Germany
Business travel score: 8.39
Frankfurt Main Airport (FRA) is the third-best global airport for business trips, scoring 8.39. Frankfurt is a major financial hub and center of business for Germany and the wider European region, so it’s important that the local airport can accommodate many business travelers.
Frankfurt Main Airport is extremely well-connected, operating 293 direct flight routes, though only 44.37% offer business class options. However, the airport is conveniently located just a 16-minute drive from the Bankenviertel, Frankfurt’s central business district, and the 19 nearby hotels provide a good range of overnight options.
There are many facilities available at Frankfurt Airport designed to improve the health and well-being of passengers, so take advantage of them if you have the time! The Room of Silence in Terminal 1 is perfect for quiet mediation, while the multiple Silent Chairs scattered throughout the airport use soundproof glass and built-in speakers to let you enjoy some quiet time or your favourite music.
The best international airport for each factor
Having revealed the top-rated airports for business travel outside the United States, we will also showcase the best-performing airports for each factor. Some passengers may find that lounge availability is more important than proximity to the central business district, while others might consider securing a hotel room close to the airport most important.
Having revealed the top-rated airports for business travel outside the United States, we will also showcase the best-performing airports for each factor. Some passengers may find that lounge availability is more important than proximity to the central business district, while others might consider securing a hotel room close to the airport most important.
Suvarnabhumi International Airport offers the most lounges to passengers
Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK), Bangkok, Thailand
Number of lounges: 40
Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) has the most lounges available to passengers, with 40. The airport also performed well for the number of nearby hotels, with 21 within a two-mile radius, and earned an overall business travel score of 6.06.
Istanbul Airport has the widest range of direct flight routes
Istanbul Airport (IST), Istanbul, Turkey
Direct flight routes: 301
Istanbul Airport (IST) operates direct flights on 301 separate routes, the highest of any airport in our study, and 91% offer business class options. This makes travel to and from Istanbul far more convenient, eliminating the need for stressful transfers or long layovers. Istanbul Airport earned a business travel score of 6.56 out of 10.
Hamad International Airport offers business class on all direct routes
Hamad International Airport (DOH), Doha, Qatar
Percentage of direct routes with business class: 100%
Hamad International Airport (DOH) is the best option for business class flights, with 100% of the 182 direct routes offering this option. Earning the fifth-highest business travel score at 7.94 out of 10, the airport performs well for several factors, such as the 20-minute drive to the West Bay business district, but is lacking nearby hotels for business travelers to stay.
Indira Gandhi International Airport has the most hotels within a two-mile radius
Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), New Delhi, India
Number of hotels within two miles: 397
Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) has the most hotels near it, with 397 within a two-mile radius. The airport operates flights on 145 direct routes, 75% of which offer business class, and earns an overall business travel score of 5.99.
Madrid–Barajas Airport is the major international airport closest to the local business district
Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD), Madrid, Spain
Time to city’s business district: Nine minutes
Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) is the airport with the shortest travel time to the local business district, just a nine-minute drive from Madrid’s Cuatro Torres business area. Aside from this factor, the airport performed well for the number of direct routes, with 208, and has 11 hotels nearby. Madrid–Barajas Airport received a business travel score of 6.40.
Proper planning is the key to a fantastic business travel experience
As this index shows, some airports are much better suited to business travel than others. However, we usually cannot choose the airport we use, so how do we ensure a fantastic business travel experience for staff, clients and partners?
- The key here is to try to plan ahead as much as possible. Choosing a direct flight route instead of one with transfers will make the whole experience much less stressful, as will upgrading the tickets to business class where available. However, if business class tickets do not fall within the travel budget, an upgrade to premium economy can be a good substitute.
- To make travel as smooth as possible, find out whether the airports you’ll be using have features such as private lounges available to passengers. If your booked tickets don’t include access, consider purchasing a day pass, available at many airport lounges. Those who regularly travel for work may want to explore reward schemes offered by airlines, many of which include access to lounges for frequent flyers and premium members.
- Take the time to ensure any hotels booked for the trip are easy to get to from both the airport and the location of your business meetings. However, if travel will be taking place at unsociable hours, you might consider a hotel closer to the airport.
- You should also fully investigate the means of travel between the airport, hotel and meeting places. While rental cars might be a fantastic option in the United States, many foreign cities operate a comprehensive public transport system linking airports to the city center, so you may want to explore alternative options when traveling abroad.
- When planning international trips, be sure to check if the vehicle you’re hiring has manual or automatic transmission. You should also confirm whether they are comfortable driving in another country, as things like foreign-language road signs, different traffic laws, and driving on the other side of the road could make it a stressful experience.
Methodology
Booking.com for Business compared the busiest airports in the United States and abroad, revealing those best suited to business travelers. The busiest airports were selected based on data from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. These airports were divided into United States airports and international airports.
For each airport, we collected the following data:
- the number of lounges, sourced from LoungeBuddy.
- the number of routes with direct flights and the proportion of these that offer business class, sourced from FlightsFrom.com.
- the number of hotels located within a two-mile radius of the airport, sourced from Booking.com. For this factor, we assumed a 1-night stay on a Wednesday across September, October and November for one person.
- the overall rating received on Skytrax.
- the number of minutes it takes to travel to the local city’s business district by car. This was sourced from Google Maps, assuming a departure time of 10 am.
For United States Airports, we also recorded the following data:
- The number of rental cars available, sourced from Booking.com. This data assumed a vehicle pickup date of Wednesday October 2nd at 10am, and a drop-off date of Thursday October 3rd at 7pm. These dates were chosen to be in-line with the data collected for the number of nearby hotels.
- We then combined the factors to create a Business Travel Score for airports in both sections, giving each factor equal weight.
Google Maps travel time data was unavailable for Seoul Incheon International Airport, so its score was calculated using only the remaining factors.
