Top Airports for Domestic Travel

Business travel within the United States took a massive hit when the pandemic set in—with corporate travel spending plummeting 71%, according to a McKinsey report. 

Two years later, with the advent of vaccines, treatment options, and an overall better prognosis for the future, we’re seeing domestic business travel continue its recovery. The travel sector, particularly airlines and hospitality companies, have made huge strides, adapting to meet the moment and comply with local and federal regulations while making guests feel safe and at home. 

While airport standards are evolving, travel experiences are also changing. Arrival and departure schedule reliability, staff professionalism, hotel rates, business lounge conditions, and airport location are some of the many important factors when choosing which airport is best for your corporate travels. 

In a perfect world, corporate flights (and your checked luggage!) would always be on time, business lounges would be plenty and easily accessible, downtown would be close, and terminals would be clean and traffic-free. But, unfortunately, the stars don’t always align this way. 

So, we’ve curated a list of the five best airports for domestic business travelers. 

The Best Airports for Domestic Travel

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport 

Only seven miles from downtown Atlanta, Hartsfield-Jackson has been ranked the best airport for corporate travel nationwide. Home to Delta Airlines, ATL is the busiest airport in the world. 80% of departures and 83% of arrivals are on time, with 1.88% of flights departing from ATL ending up canceled, according to the BTS. A gateway to the rest of the globe, it offers travelers nonstop service to over 150 domestic and 70 international destinations. 

Several lounges are available throughout each concourse. For example, the Delta Sky Club provides those with access to showers, free WiFi, dining, a bar, and a quiet place to regroup before your next flight. The United Club is another great option for corporate travelers, offering a small-scale business center with printers, copiers, internet terminals, and a variety of snacks and beverages. 

ATL has several sleeping options for those trying to get ahead of jetlag or just needing a power nap. Minute Suites can be found throughout the airport, providing guests with a private pod equipped with a daybed, WiFi, and TV. The Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway is also on-site, with rates averaging around $250/night. 

Chicago O’Hare International Airport 

Located seventeen miles from the Loop, one of Chicago’s central business districts, O’Hare is among our top airports for business travelers. As the first major airfield built after WWII, its designs pioneered the idea of jet bridges, direct highway access to terminals, concourses, and underground refueling structures.   

With nonstop service to 228 destinations on five continents, the Caribbean, and the Middle East, ORD services nearly 2,000 flights per day. Flight reliability is as follows: approximately 76% of departures and arrivals are on time, and 4.21% of departing flights are canceled, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. 

Several lounges are available, including the Delta Sky Club, United Club, Admirals Club, and the American Flagship Lounge. Whether you’ve got an overnight layover or need a massage, the Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport Hotel is onsite and loaded with amenities. With an average rate of $200/night, travelers can refresh before a flight with access to their full-service spa, fitness center, and yoga room. 

Los Angeles International Airport 

Located less than twenty miles from Downtown Los Angeles, LAX is the world’s third-busiest airport, serving 88 million passengers in 2019 (pre-pandemic). It is the designated hub for Delta, United, and American Airlines. LAX serviced 48 million passengers in 2021 and a whopping 88 million in 2019 before the pandemic. In addition, 81% of departures and 80% of arrivals are on time, and 2% of departures out of LAX are canceled.

There are over twenty lounges throughout the airport and multiple business facilities to accommodate corporate travelers. The United Club is newly renovated, with 20,000 square feet of lounging to experience. It features private conference rooms for en-route meetings and outdoor seating with views of the Hollywood Hills. In addition, Oneworld Business Lounge provides a prayer room and showers, and the United Polaris Lounge offers nap pods and sit-down dining. 

The airport’s observation deck is a popular place to wait for your flight, offering guests a unique vantage point to watch aircraft arrive and depart. If you’ve got some extra time and need some TLC, several “express” spas are available for massages, manicures, and pedicures. 

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport 

Located halfway between Fort Worth and Dallas, DFW is a popular international gateway and the second-largest airport by land area in the United States — it’s larger than Manhattan! In 2022, the AIC ranked DFW the second busiest airport in the world. Serving over 60 million passengers annually, 77% of departures and 79% of arrivals are on time, with 4.67% of departing flights canceled. 

Several lounges can be found throughout DFW’s terminals, making working while traveling very easy. For example, Admirals Club offers members showers, private conference suites, and a premier bar. American Airlines Flagship Lounge provides enhanced dining options, and the Capital One Lounge is a go-to for their full-service espresso bar and semi-private workstations. The Centurion Lounge offers a computer bar, buffet, and spa, and yoga studios are available in two terminals. DFW also offers several spas for mid-travel massages or pedicures. 

Minute Suites are available for overnight layovers or a private place to rest your eyes, supplied with daybeds, TVs, and sound-masking systems. In addition, three hotels are conveniently located on-site: the Grand Hyatt DFW, the Hyatt Regency DFW, and the Hyatt Place DFW. The nightly rate averages between $150-$400. 

Denver International Airport 

Located roughly twenty-five miles from downtown Denver, DEN Airport (locally known as DIA) is the world’s second-largest airport by land, after King Fahd International in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. It’s also home to the nation’s longest runway, stretching at a massive length of 16,000 feet. Providing nonstop service to 215 destinations, it’s a hub for United and Frontier Airlines. As of 2022, 75% of arrivals and 66% of departures are on time—with better performance in years past. Approximately 3.7% of departing flights are canceled. 

The facility has an Automated Guideway Transit System that makes getting around the airport and its terminals much more manageable. Lounges and spas are abundant, perfect for business travelers looking to refresh, take a private call, or simply catch a bite to eat. United has two Clubs in DEN - and a third may be on the way - each offering a sophisticated atmosphere with a full bar and quick snacks.   

For overnight layovers, The Westin Hotel is connected to the Jeppesen Terminal; however, travelers will need to exit and re-enter security to reach their gate. The average rate at the airport’s hotel is $250/night. 

Conclusion

To comply with local and national COVID-19 regulations, airports are constantly undergoing protocol changes; however, they’ve shown their commitment to giving travelers a lot more than just a place to wait for their flight. 

In an effort to elevate the experience of both business and leisure travelers, more comfortable lounges are available, upgraded WiFi and technology is the new norm, and the dining options only get tastier. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or just passing through to your final destination, these airports and their new amenities are sure to please. 

Read more: Best Dining Experience in Airports