Top 10 Airports in North America

Unique Roof Structure at the Denver International Airport1

Being stuck in an airport with less than stellar amenities or services can be quite frustrating. The criteria for what makes an airport great or the best can vary among travellers. For travelling on business, the importance of having access to wireless Internet may be paramount, whereas a family on vacation may prefer an airport with a pleasant atmosphere for the kids and an array of shopping and dining options. Whatever the reason for travel may be, the following North American airports offer a mix of excellent amenities, services and ambiance suited to a wide variety of travellers.

VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Located in British Columbia, Canada, Vancouver International Airport is not actually located in Vancouver but in the suburb of Richmond, BC, approximately 11 km (7 mi) from the center of Vancouver. Vancouver International offers visitors a wide range of amenities from banks to a spa, laundry facilities and restaurants; travellers will find all they need here.

The airport terminals have a pleasant ambiance featuring artwork depicting the province's native wildlife, mountains, rivers, forests, and aboriginal heritage. West Coast Haida Indian art is also displayed at the airport.

The business centre located in the international terminal will come in handy for business travellers. Services found in the centre include laser printing, computer workstations, secretarial services and more.

For those who love shopping and have to spend a few hours in the airport, plenty of stores are available featuring everything from clothing to souvenirs and gifts, books to candy shops and anything else a traveller might need. Got the munchies? Indulge any cravings at the airport's numerous bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and for those on the run, the ever handy fast food joints.

For the ultimate in pampering and convenience, the Fairmont Vancouver is located within the airport and offers a plethora of amenities including a full-service spa.

DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Located in northeastern Denver, Colorado, the Denver International Airport (DIA) is an impressive 52 sq mi (130 sq km), making it the largest international airport in the United States and the third largest in the world.

The airport features an aesthetically pleasing, signature white tensile architecture tension fabric roof, reminiscent of snow-capped mountains. Steel cables are used to support the roof, similar to those used on New York's Brooklyn Bridge. Travellers will have the opportunity to view planes taxiing directly underneath a pedestrian bridge that is used to connect the terminal to Concourse A. The Rocky Mountains are viewable from the west, while the high plains can be spotted from the east.

It is estimated that the airport will spare the environment more than five million pounds of carbon emissions annually due to the 2008 construction of an on-site two-megawatt solar energy system. DIA also features a plethora of amenities that travellers will enjoy: everything from free public Wi-Fi access throughout the airport to a wide range of dining and shopping options.

	Motorized Walkway at Minneapolis-St.Paul2

HARTSFIELD-JACKSON ATLANTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Known for being the “world's busiest passenger airport,” Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is located in Atlanta, Georgia and offers international service across North America, Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America. The airport features a terminal complex spanning 130 acres (52.6 ha) and six concourses. An Automated People Mover is located underground and connects all concourses with the terminal. The automated people mover has nine, four-car trains operating on a 3.5 mi (5.6 km) loop track.

Travellers will find more than 200 concession outlets consisting of food, beverages, retail and convenience services. A 24,000 sq ft (2,229.7 sq m) executive conference centre is also found on-site. It features 23 meeting rooms with state-of-the-art equipment suitable for business meetings.

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The Minneapolis-St.Paul International Airport features two terminals, the Lindbergh in St. Paul and the smaller Humphrey terminal in Minneapolis. The Lindbergh terminal is used for most scheduled flights while the Humphrey terminal is for charter airline flights. An on-site conference centre at the Lindbergh terminal is available and features first-class amenities and services including catered meals. While waiting for a flight, travellers have plenty of dining and shopping options to help pass the time. The airport also features a motorized walkway to help visitors get around more efficiently.

Sea-Tac Airport's Parking Garages3

SEATTLE-TACOMA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Also known as Sea-Tac Airport, the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport serves Seattle and the surrounding area. Aside from the usual airport shopping and dining, travellers at Sea-Tac will have the opportunity to view an extensive collection of artwork located throughout various rooms and corridors. Visitors may see everything from paintings, photography, glass and sculpture. Some of the art displayed is by popular 20th century artists such as Frank Stella. Artwork by regional and emerging artists are also featured throughout the airport.

HALIFAX STANFIELD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Located in Enfield, Nova Scotia, the Halifax Stanfield International Airport serves the Halifax Regional Municipality, central Nova Scotia and neighbouring maritime provinces. The airport is known for its friendliness and overall passenger satisfaction. It is also one of the few places in North America where the Space Shuttle could land if it encounters any trouble during liftoff.

The Halifax Airport features a non-denominational chapel where stressed out travellers can take a breather and relax in a calm, reflective atmosphere. Some services offered by the chapel include stress management and spiritual counseling. Several children's play areas are also found throughout the airport and have padded floors for safety.

SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Sunny southern California is home to the San Diego International Airport, also known as Lindbergh Field. This bright and cheery looking airport offers plenty of amenities and courteous service to help out travellers and visitors. Numerous dining options and shops are found throughout the airport as well as lounges and club rooms where those with memberships can quietly relax or work before, after or between flights.

The San Diego Airport is home to the United States' second largest United Services Organization (USO) centre, the Neil Ash USO Center. This 6520-sq-ft (580.64-sq-m) facility offers a welcome respite to members of the military. Some amenities found at the centre include restrooms and showers, a reading room, a large-screen TV and a lounge.

For those looking for a little entertainment, the San Diego Airport provides musical performances through their complimentary jazz program, Terminal Jazz. Travellers and locals alike can check out performances every second Friday of the month. On the fourth Friday of every month, Sassy from the Solo Artists Series, offers an entertaining line-up of musicians covering a wide range of musical genres. These performances are free and are a great way to liven up the atmosphere at the airport, especially while waiting for a connecting flight.

SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has everything needed for travellers to get from point A to B. Easy access to the terminals, parking garage, rental car centre and BART Station are provided by the airport's internal transit system, AirTrain. Other handy services include wireless Internet access, currency exchange offices and banking services. They even rent out DVD players with the latest movies to keep the whole family entertained.

For those not keen on watching movies, how about spending some time browsing through the on-site museum galleries, aquarium exhibit or spending some quite moments in the reflection room. Private functions for up to 250 guests can also be held at the San Francisco Airport Commission Aviation Library and Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum.

	AirTrain Pulling Out at SFO4

PORTLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Located on the south side of the Columbia River in Portland, Oregon, the Portland International Airport is the largest in the state. Business travellers often cite this airport as one of their favourites due to its numerous shops, dining options, free wireless Internet access and the ease at which one can navigate through the airport. Portland International features the Concourse Connector which joins the airport's south concourses with the north concourses. Once travellers have cleared airport security, the passageway allows them to freely move between concourses without further security screenings.

CALGARY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Serving Calgary, Alberta and the surrounding area, the Calgary International Airport provides travellers with friendly and efficient services. The airport features more than 110 shops, restaurants and services. Travellers will notice White Hat Volunteers throughout the airport. These kind and helpful people in white cowboy hats volunteer their time to welcome visitors to Calgary. They are also available to assist those with questions about the airport or city.

Visitors needing a little pampering should not miss stopping by OraOxygen for some oxygen therapy. This is the first airport-based oxygen wellness spa of its kind in the world. Other spa services are also offered here. Those looking for an out-of-this-world experience will find SpacePort of interest. Due to the airport's relationship with NASA, visitors will be able to view a moon rock brought back by an Apollo mission and other space oddities - a great and interesting way to spend time between flights.

1. Denver International Airport; Denver, Colorado, USA
2. Minneapolis-St.Paul International Airport; Minneapolis/St.Paul, Minnesota, USA
3. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport; Seattle, Washington, USA
4. San Francisco International Airport; San Francisco, California, USA