The Most and Least Kid-Friendly US Airports

by Rich Thomaselli
Last updated: 5:00 PM ET, Sat June 17, 2023

Children who fly sometimes find it to be adventurous and thrilling but other children find it tedious and unexciting.

Maybe it just depends on which airport you are flying out of.

Upgraded Points recently released its study of the most and least kid-friendly airports in the country based on an array of factors, including family restrooms, play areas, average wait times, Wi-Fi speeds, and more. Because, as we all know, children can bore easily.

"Traveling with children can be an exciting adventure for the whole family, but it also presents unique challenges," Alex Miller, Founder of Upgraded Points, said in a statement. "A trip to the airport can be dampened by issues like finding a family restroom or not having Wi-Fi for your kid's devices."

To discover which airports are the best and worst for families traveling with kids, the study scored the 45 busiest U.S. airports across 15 ranking factors deemed most vital to smooth family travel. To gain more insight, they surveyed more than 800 parents to learn about their experiences when traveling with kids, like which airport amenities matter most to them when it comes to family travel. Insights gathered from these responses were used to determine the factor weights in the ranking.

Would you believe that Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is ranked the best U.S. airport for kid-friendly travel, offering three lounges with family rooms and a kids' play area?

California shined in the study with three airports in the top 10. And you’ll be flabbergasted to know who is number two on the list.

LaGuardia Airport ranked second for kid-friendly travel, boasting over two nursing rooms per mile and the most accessible family-friendly restrooms. Up until a year or two ago, LaGuardia consistently ranked as one of the worst airports in the country overall. It just goes to show you what a large investment and renovation will do.

Boston's Logan was the third-best in the study.

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers ranked lowest among airports analyzed, missing essential family amenities and offering slower Wi-Fi speeds. Despite being a hub for family vacations, Florida airports fell behind. Orlando and Tampa International also ranked in the 10 worst for family travel.

With the lowest on-time flight percentage in the study at 60 percent, Chicago Midway ranked third-worst in the study. A high passenger density and a lack of kid-friendly entertainment options are also challenges at this airport.

Of the more than 800 parents who were surveyed, a whopping 49 percent – or roughly half – describe traveling with their kids as an overwhelming experience, highlighting the need for airports to prioritize family-friendly facilities and services.