I wish I could sit down and figure out how much time over the past two years I have spent in an airport. I have a love-hate relationship with airports now because of all the quality times we have spent together. Some airports I find endearing while others just the thought of causes me to ball my fist with a sense of fury. I won’t name any names as to not cause any hurt feelings. Although most of the time it wasn’t really the airport itself that caused my anger and hatred. But a well designed airport and its amenities can make a huge difference in the experience of a traveler, especially when the airport is a connection city.

This all came to mind as an airport employee at MSP asked me to participate in a survey (luckily for them they didn’t ask me two days later on my way back through MSP, would have been a totally different survey response!). I would hope all airports would care so much to think about the amenities they offer their travelers and the ease of transition from gate to gate, offering free WIFI, as well as the quality of dining experience and parking facilities. We all know traveling can be such a nightmare so it really is the little things that matter.

It leads me to think about my favorite airports in this country- at least the ones I have been to so far, and how they are all so unique and different. And when you have had as many layovers, delays, bumps, missed connections as I have, you really begin to appreciate them for what they offer.

Three of my favorite Airports:

John Wayne International Airport (SNA): There is much to be desired of this airport when you use it as an alternative to overcrowded, confusing, and sometimes extremely obnoxious LAX. The quiet more relaxed nature of SNA makes it a great airport to fly into and out of easily because it is so small and intimate, plus they have a fantastic candy shop selling gourmet treats. I do however wish it had more of a variety of food options, McDonalds and Starbucks are great but a little more variety would be nice- but it isn’t a connection airport, so it’s really not a necessity.

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Airport security lines have gotten a little out of control. It’s gotten to the point where you just need to plan for the worst regarding arriving to the airport on time. I can think of countless times when I have been stressed and possibly even missed my flight due to the fact that the security line has been out the door.

But hooray there is a solution! A company called provides customers, for a yearly fee, a high tech card that lets you skip ahead in pre-desginated security lines. Think of it as a Disneyland fast pass for the airports. This could save some serious time for frequent flyers.

Right now the company is operating in twenty airports and is continually adding more. Airports include: Albany, Atlanta, Cincinnati, DC Dulles, DC Reagan, Denver, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Little Rock, Los Angeles, New York JFK, New York LGA, Newark, Oakland, Orlando, Reno, Salt Lake City,San Francisco ,San José, Westchester. I am not going to lie, a little disappointed not to see Chicago, but otherwise most major airports notorious for thier crowded lines are listed. And only $128 a year? That’s cheap. Plus, it’s even registered at some sports stadiums to get you into the games faster.