Assuming your flight is on time or you have a quick connection, airports can blend together.
But if you're staring down the prospect of a lengthy layover and need to take the edge off, the hub you find yourself in matters.
The travel experts at Upgraded Points recently analyzed 50 of the largest U.S. airports based on three equally weighted factors, including bars and restaurants serving alcohol (per square mile); bars and restaurants serving alcohol (per 10,000 daily passengers) and the average star rating of alcohol-serving venues.
You don't have to love Sam Adams to appreciate Logan International Airport's (BOS) boozy offerings. The Boston airport ranks first in Upgraded Points' study with an overall score of 75.1. Boston's airport has 10.2 alcohol-serving venues per square mile, a figure 116 percent higher than the study average at just 4.7.
Trailing BOS is another hub that knows how to celebrate in the Music City's Nashville International Airport (BNA). BNA boasts the the third-highest bar-to-passenger ratio—4.7 venues per 10,000 passengers—which is 76 percent more than the average airport.
Kansas City International Airport (MCI), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) round out the list of the top five airports for a boozy layover.
It's worth noting that MCI's alcohol-serving venues earned the highest average Google rating in the study at 4.16 out of 5 stars. The airport also leads the study in bar accessibility with 5.6 venues per 10,000 passengers.
Top Five US Airports for a Boozy Layover
- Logan International Airport (BOS)
- Nashville International Airport (BNA)
- Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
New Delta Sky Club lounge at the new Kansas City International Airport terminal. (photo via Delta Air Lines)
Some of the country's most crowded airports fare the worst when it comes to enjoying a boozy layover but the biggest offenders may surprise some travelers.
Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport ranks worst in Upgraded Points' study with limited alcohol options and low venue ratings. Elsewhere on the West Coast, Oakland International Airport (OAK) finished second to last due to a lack of high-rated bars compared to other California airports and minimal restaurant overlap.
A pair of chaotic NYC area airports also fared poorly, with both John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) falling into the bottom five.
The 5 Worst US Airports for a Boozy Layover
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
- Oakland International Airport (OAK)
- Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
"Layovers don't have to be a travel low point," Keri Stooksbury, editor-in-chief at Upgraded Points, said in a statement. "With craft cocktail bars and award-nominated restaurants becoming standard airport amenities, more travelers are choosing to enjoy the stop instead of just enduring it."
"This study shows exactly which airports turn a long wait into a memorable part of the journey and maybe even a reason to arrive early."
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