LaGuardia tops list of travel turkeys

LaGuardia is the most-frustrating airport to travel through over Thanksgiving, according to Bloomberg Businessweek, followed by Newark Liberty in second place, O’Hare in fourth and LAX in sixth.

Just in time for the holiday, Bloomberg’s Airport Frustration Index ranks the worst airports in the U.S. and Canada, with tips on how to survive them. The index is based on how long it takes to reach the airports during rush hours, on-time arrival and departure data, and weighed comments and opinions from an online survey of more than 3,000 travelers.

Bloomberg’s 10 Most Frustrating Airports:

1. LaGuardia
2. Newark Liberty
3. Washington Dulles
4. Chicago O’Hare
5. John F. Kennedy
6. LAX
7. Toronto Pearson
8. Dallas/Ft. Worth
9. Miami
10. Philadelphia

LaGuardia, as it often does, comes out on the short end of the stick on restaurants, shops and restrooms. Miami has the most-confusing terminal layout, according to the study, as well as the most time-consuming check-in and security. Newark Liberty was found to have the tardiest and most-canceled flights.

Not all airports received poor marks. If you’re going to Portland, Ore., for Thanksgiving, you’re heading into the least-frustrating airport with the best restaurants and shops. The most-punctual airport, the study found, is Seattle-Tacoma.

Among the travel tips the study provided: O’Hare offers a two-story “aeroponic” vertical garden between Terminals 2 and 3 that grows greens used at several O’Hare restaurants. “Great place for Wi-Fi or getting away from the crowds if you have a layover,” says one traveler.

The study found that JFK, like many aging airports, is a mix of stylish new amenities “and dated, dungeon-like warrens, depending on which airline you fly.” JetBlue’s Terminal 5 may be the best bet, Bloomberg found. It has free Wi-Fi, a children’s play area, and a slew of restaurants, including Piquillo, purportedly the first tapas restaurant in a U.S. airport.

Regardless of the JFK terminal, “Use the curbside check-in,” advises one traveler.

That’s good advice for almost any major airport.

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