Airports have evolved far beyond being just transit points; they’re now filled with shops, lounges, and dining spots that promise everything from quick meals to gourmet experiences.
However, a recent study by Altezza Travel shows that airport food often fails to live up to expectations. In recent years, travelers have become increasingly vocal about underwhelming service and declining food quality. The study analyzed the 20 busiest U.S. airports to determine which deliver the most disappointing restaurant experiences and which terminals offer the best-quality food.
Dining experiences vary across airports
Not all airport dining experiences are equal. Some major airports, including Newark Liberty International Airport, consistently rank at the bottom, while only a few manage to meet travelers’ expectations. In fact, the odds of eating low-quality food are 10 times higher in Newark than in Denver.
Part of the issue, according to the study, comes from how travelers choose where to eat. Busy food courts and crowded terminals often lead passengers to pick the nearest option, even if it has poor reviews. The better options are usually tucked away near smaller gates or quieter areas, but with limited time before a flight, few travelers bother to look around. That’s one reason airport dining can be hit-or-miss.
Newark leads the list of the worst airports for food
At the top of the “worst” list is Newark Liberty International Airport, where diners pay premium prices for disappointing fare. The average meal costs about $23, one of the highest among U.S. airports, and 70% of restaurants are rated below three stars. Despite being one of the nation’s busiest international hubs, Newark’s restaurants continue to receive poor feedback for both quality and service.
“World’s worst, most expensive burgers with a side of bitterness,” one traveler wrote, explaining the frustrations of many others online. Altezza’s report gives Newark a total score of 8 out of 20, factoring in low ratings, high prices, and heavy crowding, making it the least satisfying airport for food in the country.
Other airports with disappointing food experiences
Newark isn’t the only airport letting travelers down. Several others trail just behind in overall dining quality.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Chicago airport ranked second with a total score of 9 out of 20. Roughly one-third of its restaurants are rated below three stars, with an average of 3.2, and it has the highest number of visitors per restaurant among major U.S. airports. The average meal price is $20.60; however, the high price doesn’t justify the food quality, as one traveler said, “radioactive green relish, stale fries, and a lukewarm Chicago dog with the fries placed sideways in the bag”.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
John F. Kennedy is one of the busiest airports in the world. With 57% of restaurants rated below three stars and an average of just 2.6, JFK’s food remains inconsistent and fails to please travelers. People have said the food is overcooked and tasteless.
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
With more than 113,000 visitors per restaurant each month, Orlando Airport is among the most overcrowded airports for dining. The average rating of 3.4 stars and the average price per meal of $19 leave little to be excited about, with travelers reporting long waits and bland food.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles Airport rounded out the bottom five with a 10-point score out of 20. Nearly half its restaurants are rated below three stars, and meals average $20.20. Despite its popularity, reviews continue to mention poor-quality food, as one traveler described it: “The food Dad cooks when Mom is out of town.”
The best airports for dining
While many airports earned low marks, a few stood out for offering good-quality food to passengers.
Denver International Airport (DEN) ranked first with a total score of 19 out of 20, the highest overall. Only 6% of its restaurants are rated below three stars, and meals average about $16.70.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) is one of the few airports where passengers often have a great dining experience. Despite being the world’s busiest airport, it maintains an average rating of 3.5 stars, with fewer than one-third of its eateries rated below 3 stars.
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International (MSP) is among the best airports for dining. With an average food price of $17.80, it consistently delivers the best food, which makes it a good value for money compared to other popular airports.
How to find decent food before your flight
Not all airport food is inherently bad; you’ll be able to find some good spots as long as you know where to look. Firstly, most eateries near major terminals tend to be more disappointing because they experience heavy footfall and may not offer a consistent dining experience. This means you have to look beyond the food courts for eateries that seem unusually unpopular, but they often have the best food.
Planning properly before leaving for the airport may also help. Some airports, such as Denver and Dallas-Fort Worth, allow you to use food delivery apps like Grab or AtYourGate to browse menus and find deals.
Thirdly, the experience of a seasoned traveler is always a good direction to take. Checking Google Maps reviews and consulting other travelers is much more efficient than falling for the catchy words on billboards and airport menus.
Methodology
Altezza Travel analyzed the 20 busiest airports in the United States, as defined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The study used a scoring system based on four factors: the average meal price (from Google Maps business listings), the average restaurant rating, the percentage of restaurants rated below three stars, and the number of visitors per restaurant per month.
The Scoring system ranks multiple factors:
- Average price per meal - based on the average user-reported price per meal in a Google Maps business listing
- Average rating - based on the average Google Maps business listing rating
- % of restaurants below three stars - the number of such restaurants divided by the total number of restaurants
- Visitors per restaurant per month - the total number of reported 2024 passengers divided by the number of restaurants listed in Google Maps and divided by twelve
Each category was assigned a score from 1 to 5, with the highest score going to the lowest price per meal, the highest Google review rating, the lowest percentage of restaurants with a rating below 3 stars, and the fewest visitors per restaurant. In total, the maximum score is 20 points, with the lowest point total per airport representing the worst expected experience. Restaurants with fewer than 30 reviews were excluded from the average rating to ensure objective comparisons.
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