Flying With Kids? These Are America’s Best Airports for Traveling Families

The world’s most family-friendly airports have been revealed in a new study, with Memphis International Airport (MEM) coming out on top in the United States.

Traveling as a family can be testing at the best of times, especially for those with babies and young children. Many airports aren’t designed with young people in mind, and the busy crowds, long waiting times, and lack of entertainment options can add to the overall stress of the situation.

Photo: Courtesy of Octav Cado / Unsplash

However, some airports are much better geared up for welcoming families than others, as a new study from pushchair designers iCandy has revealed. Dubbed the ‘Little Flyers Index,’ the study analyzed 117 airports across the world to form its definitive ranking, taking into account a variety of features and amenities that enhance the travel experience for families.

Key Factors for Family Accessibility

These factors include the number of restaurants, children’s play areas, and breastfeeding or nursing rooms available in the airport. It also took into account the average number of annual passengers each airport receives, whether they have family-friendly security lines or services, and whether they offer the opportunity to rent prams.

While airports in the U.S. didn’t fare too well in the overall rankings, with none making the top 20 worldwide, there were a few notable exceptions, with 11 airports making the top 50.

Photo: Courtesy of Memphis International Airport

Notably, Memphis International Airport was ranked as the best for families in the country (23rd overall) with a final score of 56.75 out of 100.

The Tennessee airport was highlighted for offering family-friendly security options, as well as nine restaurants to choose from, five nursing rooms, and a dedicated children’s play area. Its annual passenger numbers, standing at a relatively low 4,878,919, also helped its cause, although one low point is the fact that it doesn’t offer any prams to rent.

Other Top Family-Friendly Airports

Meanwhile, Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) was the second-highest ranked U.S. airport, coming in at 26th overall with a total score of 54.38, while Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) was just behind with a score of 53.88.

Photo: Courtesy of Washington-Reagan National Airport.

“This recognition really highlights the care and attention Memphis puts into making our airport welcoming to everyone, especially families,” said Terry Blue, President and CEO of Memphis International Airport. “We’re proud to represent Memphis in this way and continue offering a travel experience that reflects our city’s warm and family-friendly spirit.”

Here are the ten most family-friendly airports in the U.S., according to iCandy:

In addition to these ten airports, it’s worth noting that San Francisco International Airport (SFO) also snuck into the global top 50 – at 48th place – with a score of 48.77 out of 100.

Global Rankings

In terms of the most family-friendly airport overall, Spain’s Menorca Airport (MAH) was the undisputed winner, scoring an impressive 95 out of 100 – almost 20 points higher than Riga Airport (RIX) in second place.

While Menorca doesn’t offer family-friendly security options of pram rentals, it has very low passenger numbers (slightly over one million per year), eight restaurants, four children’s play areas, and three nursing rooms.

Here are the ten most family-friendly airports in the world, according to iCandy:

“At iCandy, we understand that traveling with little ones can be overwhelming, especially in environments not designed with families in mind,” said Cameron Appel, Vice CEO at iCandy. “That’s why we created this index: to help parents feel more prepared when planning family trips, and to spotlight the airports going above and beyond to make travel easier.”