LOS ANGELES--Southern California is home to both the best and worst airports, according to Fodor’s inaugural Travel Awards announced Wednesday.

Fodor’s named the Hollywood-Burbank Airport the best in the U.S., and it happens to be just 30 miles away from the worst in not just the U.S., but the world, Los Angeles International Airport.

According to Fodor’s, Southern California being home to both the best and worst airports in world was “an unplanned coincidence.”

Fodor’s editors said Hollywood-Burbank, formerly known as Bob Hope Airport, took top honors because of its “accessibility and mellow, hassle-free experience” which includes affordable parking, easy shuttle access, and a Metrolink Station within walking distance to the airport’s two terminals. The ranking also gave kudos to the airport’s location closer to downtown L.A., Hollywood, Universal Studios and other popular L.A. attractions.

“Burbank is an airport free of most of the hassles that take the fun out of travel plans,” Fodor’s managing editor Rachael Levitt said in a news release. “It’s an agreeable airport in a perfect location, which is why it’s at the top of our list of airports to love.”

And while other airports on the Fodor’s list got nuanced categories like being the best for shopping or for foodies, LAX was flatly called the worst in the world.

While acknowledging that LAX is the fourth-busiest airport in the world, Fodor’s editors called the traffic “purgatorial” due to the “improbably stupid design of its catastrophic horseshoe motor-loop.” LAX is also in the throes of “never-ending construction” that has, for example, Delta operating at both terminals 2 and 3 at the moment.

“One day the construction will end. And, one day, there will be a people-mover that will connect the yet-to-be-open Crenshaw Metro Line to the airport,” Tarr said in the news release. “But until then, LAX has earned a spot at the top of our Worst Airports list – and we’re loathing it.” (Source: CBSLA)

The Best U.S. Airport
WINNER
Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR)
RUNNER-UP
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)

The Best International Airport
WINNER
Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
RUNNER-UP
Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN)

The Best Airport for Shopping
WINNER
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
RUNNER-UP
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)

The Best Airport for Foodies
WINNER
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
RUNNER-UP
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

The Best Tiny Airport
WINNER
Jackson Hole Airport (JAC)
RUNNER-UP
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN)

The Worst Airport in the World
WINNER
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). (Source: Fodor’s Travel)

Story Date: June 23, 2019