Travel Leaders Group just released the results of its annual Travel Trends survey. Conducted Nov. 19 to Dec. 16, the results are based on responses from 930 Travel Leaders Group owners, managers and frontline travel experts from throughout the U.S. The survey asked respondents about their favorite airports for connecting flights, business travel services, amenities, dining and families with children.

“Major airports have transformed considerably in the last decade to accommodate the shift in the amount of time travelers spend there. More amenities have been added to appeal to travelers – and in many cases, to occupy their time – while they wait for their flights,” stated Travel Leaders Group CEO Barry Liben. “At some of the busiest airports around the United States, there has been an explosion in service such as mini spas and salons, along with a retooling of the retail space toward higher-end goods and electronics. The most significant change has been in the dining options. While food courts still exist, there are more and more health-conscious options and a real trend toward upscale cafés, restaurants and bars. In our survey, we wanted to see which airports seem to resonate most positively with our clients in number of categories.”

Best Airports for Connecting Flights:
1. Atlanta
2. Charlotte
3. Dallas/Fort Worth
4. Houston Intercontinental
5. Detroit
6. Minneapolis/St. Paul
7. Chicago O’Hare
8. Phoenix
9. Denver
10. (tie) New York – JFK
10. (tie) Salt Lake City

Best Airports for Business Travel Services
1. Atlanta
2. Chicago O’Hare
3. Dallas/Fort Worth
4. Minneapolis/St. Paul
5. New York – JFK
6. Detroit
7. Houston Intercontinental
8. Los Angeles
9. New York – LaGuardia
10. (tie) Newark
10. (tie) San Francisco
10. (tie) Washington D.C. – Dulles

Best Airports for Amenities
1. Atlanta
2. Minneapolis/St. Paul
3. Chicago O’Hare
4. Dallas/Fort Worth
5. Las Vegas

Best Airports for Dining
1. Atlanta
2. Minneapolis/St. Paul
3. Chicago O’Hare
4. Dallas/Fort Worth
5. San Francisco

Best Airports for Families with Kids
1. Orlando
2. Minneapolis/St. Paul
3. Atlanta
4. Chicago O’Hare
5. Dallas/Fort Worth