Five Top Rated Airports in the U.S

Traveling for business can be traumatic and stressful, and depending on the time of the year, pleasant or filled with frustration. Five International airports within the U.S. however, have continued to make efforts to cater to the needs of business men and women traveling to interviews, meetings and other business agendas. In 2006, business men and women from all over the United States and the world voted for the best airports within the United States that catered to the specific needs of business travelers.

San Francisco International airport's four terminals are laid out like a wagon wheel, radiating out like spokes from its main hub. Walking around the entire terminal takes only 25 minutes. Their automated 'people-mover' AirTrain takes travelers between terminals, parking garage structures and the rental car center. New construction has designed attractive and easily navigated terminals, including the International Terminal, with ample and visible arriving and departure flight boards for harried travelers in a hurry to make connecting flights. Ticket counters are located on the upper level, baggage claim on the lower.

The jumping off point for many destinations in Asia, San Francisco International is one of the busiest in the nation. Among new amenities are multiple restaurants and Internet Kiosks. Two such kiosks are located in the International Terminal for $8 for 30 minutes. Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport for $10 a day. Throughout the airport, travelers can find a dozen self-service battery recharging stations available for $5 a session. Workstations are available through out the International Terminal's Business Center and laptops, copiers and even small conference rooms are available. Services range in price from $15 to $65 an hour. If that's not enough, a full service spa is open on a daily basis.

Dallas-Ft. Worth International is one of the easiest airports in the nation to navigate, thanks to recent passenger train system that allows passengers to cruise to one of five terminals and gates within the airport. Bridging the International Parkway Highway, six 'C' terminals form three broken ovals, with Terminals A, C, and E on one side of the highway, and B and D terminals on the other. A tram accessible via an escalator to the upper floor and makes transportation to connecting gates or terminals a snap. Traveling from the end of one end of the airport to the other can now be accomplished in under ten minutes. Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport for $10 a day, and over four- dozen Internet kiosks are available for $6 an hour. Electrical outlets and battery recharge stations are also available.

Eight free business centers are available as well with semi-private workstations that come with electrical and phone outlets. Visitors can take advantage of comfortable leather couches. The tram also shuttles passengers to the Airport Hotel, which has other business features available for business travelers, including printing and graphics services.

Denver International Airport is now rated one of the best in the United States, though be forewarned that in winter, flight delays and cancellations due to weather can be frustrating to business and pleasure travelers in the wintertime. DIA also boasts the highest rate of on-time arrivals in the nation. Three concourses, lined up one after the other, take travelers to Jeppesen Terminal. Underground trams arrive and depart every few minutes from Concourse C to B to A, and then the main terminal, where baggage claim is located and where passengers can access a wide multitude of shops, restaurants and ground services.

Wi-Fi services are available airport wide for $10 a day, while eight Internet Kiosks are available through the three concourses at $15 an hour. DIA is presently services with electric outlets only, but two business centers offer 24-hour computers, printers and high-speed Internet access at a rate of $4.50 per hour.

Minneapolis-St. Paul's International Airport boasts five 'hyper-charge' stations that can rejuvenate laptops, cell phones and PDA's, a bonus for harried and hurried business travelers who work before, during and after flights. Those services are available for $10 for 30 minutes. Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport at $8-10 a day, and four Internet kiosks service the main terminal at $8 for 30 minutes. A dozen recharge stations with rates of $5 for 30 minutes can also be located throughout the airport.

Three private office workstations and a dozen self service stations are available 24 hours a day at $20 an hour and they offer laptop rentals for $18 an hour. Perhaps best of all for those on a long layover, a light-rail system takes visitors to the Mall of America in 15 minutes!

Comprised of two terminals- Lindbergh and Humphrey Terminals. Lindbergh Terminal services all major airlines. Humphrey serves small airlines, Omni Air International, Ryan International and charter airlines. Within Lindbergh Terminal, baggage claim in found on Level 1 and all ticketing and gates are located on Level 2. Parking on Level T is made easier with four color-coded ramps servicing the main terminal. A concourse bridge connects terminals on the east side, F and G to terminals on the east side, which serves terminals A, B, C, D, and E, which are also served by a concourse tram.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport is fast replacing Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson as the airport that serves the south, the country's busiest and worst on-time arrival record. Free Wi-Fi service is available throughout the airport. A business center is available, as is a day spa complete with oxygen bar for weary businessmen in need of a break. Unfortunately, no Internet Kiosks are available and the airport is currently equipped with electric outlets only for those needed to recharge laptops and cell phones. The business station is open from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on weekdays, with access to eleven computers with Internet access. Phones, printers and fax are also available for $15 an hour.

Tickets and gates are accessible on the Main level, and baggage and ground transportation on the lower level. Comprised of four concourses, moving sidewalks connect one end of the airport to the other, while Concourse E is accessed via escalator. Concourse D serves Lufthansa and US Airways. The Atrium, where the Business Center is located, is shaped like an upside-down 'U' and branches on either side to serve Concourses B and C.

These five airports were rated among the five best in the United States by business travelers. It is only hoped that other International Airports improve services and transportation options throughout the United States. Unfortunately, many still lag way behind the times in regard to amenities, parking and ease of movement once inside their terminals.