Airport Guides
The airport is the first room of your trip. These guides cut the confusion at four of America’s busiest hubs — where to eat, how to connect, and which security line actually moves.
Terminal maps, security tips, food picks, and ground transport for LAX, O'Hare, JFK, and Sea-Tac.
Los Angeles, CA
LAX is less an airport and more a small city that happens to have runways. It is loud, spread out, and always under construction — but it also has some of the best pre-flight meals in the country if you know which terminal to aim for.
Nine terminals arranged in a horseshoe. Some are connected airside, most are not.
In-N-Out is just outside the airport circle at Sepulveda and 92nd — a pilgrimage for many travelers.
Uber and Lyft pick up at a separate lot — not at the curb.
The iconic mid-century flying saucer structure is a landmark, not a terminal.
Chicago, IL
O'Hare is the airport that taught America how to connect. It is vast, efficient in places, and capable of turning a 45-minute layover into a brisk cardio session.
The tunnel between Concourses B and C in Terminal 1 features a neon light-and-music installation that has hypnotized generations of travelers.
All international arrivals except a few preclearance flights land here for customs and immigration.
The United Polaris Lounge in Terminal 1 and the American Flagship Lounge in Terminal 3 are among the best in the U.S.
Tortas Frontera by Rick Bayless in Terminal 1 serves airport food that locals actually miss when they are gone.
New York, NY
JFK is New York in airport form: chaotic, expensive, occasionally infuriating, and still somehow glamorous. It is the gateway for transatlantic flights and the place where you learn that “on time” is a relative concept.
Six active terminals, each with its own personality and airline mix. They are not all connected behind security.
A 1962 Eero Saarinen terminal converted into a hotel, complete with a rooftop infinity pool overlooking the runways.
The cheapest route to Manhattan: AirTrain to Jamaica Station, then the Long Island Rail Road or subway.
Terminal 5 has New York classics like Shake Shack and a branch of Deep Blue Seafood.
Seattle, WA
Sea-Tac feels like Seattle itself: caffeinated, laid-back, and obsessed with local food. It is smaller than the other hubs on this list, which is exactly why people like it.
Seattle’s airport takes coffee seriously. You will find local roasters before you even collect your bag.
The airport is built around a central terminal with radiating concourses, making connections relatively painless.
Link light rail connects the airport directly to downtown Seattle in about 40 minutes.
Sea-Tac leans hard into local brands: Ivar’s fish bar, Anthony’s seafood, and regional craft beer taps.