Why US Airports are the worst

[@Truth-of-the-matter]

The U.S. is a special case regarding flights. Our infrastructure is built to only handle cars and airlines while ignoring trains and modern busses. Also remember that we are a big country and most people don't want to commit a two or three day drive to get to another state. Without high speed trains and better transit options most people only have two options drive or fly.

[@assassin8636]

And what's your point here

[@xsforreal]

​@@assassin8636Can you not read? Most Americans can only drive or fly, unlike some other countries that have high speed trains.

[@assassin8636]

@xs654 oh sorry I did read I thought it was a negative comment 😅

[@billbillerton6122]

​@@xsforrealIt has always been this way. I don't give a shit about a train. I want a flight.

[@Ryanrobi]

High speed trains are not the answer to extreamly outdated airports in fact it has nothing to do with it. It's simply a matter of construction being to exspensive and being to hard to get some so we simply don't build new or exspand at all if we do it's way to little for a huge price and years late. To many people have a way to sue and otherwise make construction impractical.

[@samelmudir]

same issue in europe. ive had every flight delayed and one was cancelled after i arrived at the gate. have been waiting 6 months for a refund.

[@uptin]

Yeahhh how unfortunate!

[@smwk2017]

I got stranded in Atlanta Airport for more than 2 days due to nearby cities having thunderstorm and tornado; and aftermath. One exit flight got cancelled because the pilot didn't get enough rest hours between flights. I had to purchase a new ticket from another airline to get out.

[@uptin]

insane. they never gave you a refund?

[@smwk2017]

@@uptin No refund. The airline gave passengers some airline loyalty points; also, they passed out free sandwiches to passengers as they waited in long lines trying to re-book again and again.

[@johniii8147]

Nothing unusual. That's always been a risk flying. There are always a lot of variables in play.

[@Ahuntsicspotter]

Did you fly Delta?

[@smwk2017]

@@Ahuntsicspotter Yeah.

[@darryll7540]

After traveling to more than 30 countries, I must say that the domestic flying experience in the US is actually quite good. Flights tend to be punctual and efficient, and the airports are easy to navigate. In comparison, when traveling in Europe, there are strikes all the time, as well as baggage fees and additional charges even for carry-on items, and many carriers just use economy sates for business class. Similarly, in China, delays and last-minute gate changes are common, and the airport layouts are inefficient, taking forever to reach the gate.

[@scarledz93]

Lier

[@philho.youtube]

I guess you haven't been to Japan.

[@CapeSIX]

It just took me 26hrs to travel from Hawaii to Boston. My first flight got delayed 2 times totaling 8hrs. Then my one stop turned into two stops. And overall the 16hr flight turned into a horrible experience that I just needed to accept. And yes every flight was 95% to 100% full. As I’m sure it has to do with money more than pilots not being available.

[@Ryanrobi]

I just flew in to Boston from Hong Kong Boston Logan is a sad joke of an airport HK airport was awesome. The airport in the Philippines was faster and on time compared to Boston..

[@Ryanrobi]

They where going to expand terminal e at Logan and will spend near a billion to add ONLY 4 new gates like wtf kinda joke is that.

[@cockatooinsunglasses7492]

Yeah tell me about it.

[@JohnSkyLey]

Changi Airport in Singapore is the greatest airport ever. I was there overnight when I went to Bali. One of the greatest experiences of my life. LAX could never ever come close LOL

[@uptin]

It's literally like a resort, I could live there.

[@jt8280]

Asian airports are world class systems unlike junky outdated USA.

[@johniii8147]

Its a tourist attraction the goverment paid for.

[@fixpacifica]

Changi feels like a big shopping mall with airplanes. Nice airport as airports go, but not any kind of religious experience.

[@johniii8147]

@@fixpacifica That's what it is. People go there that don't even have a flight to catch.

[@Homer-OJ-Simpson]

Many of the US airports were built a long time ago which means it's hard to update compare that to Asia where fast growing populations means they absolutely needed new airports and built many of them more recent. But as the video detailed, it really is a whole host of reasons.

[@kleeblattchen38]

actually those asian airports at the top of the list aren’t new at all… Singapore changi e.g. was opened in 1981, Tokyo haneda in 1931, that’s older than a lot of US airports… they just knew how to update their infrastructure… same goes for the European airports of the list: Zürich, Munich, Paris (although I really don’t know how Paris got on that list, Charles de Gaulle airport is notoriously disliked among passengers, especially avgeeks and frequent flyers)

[@fixpacifica]

@@kleeblattchen38 Paris CDG is an awful airport, and I immediately questioned how it could be listed as the #5 airport in the world. I remember a few years ago that Skytrax got into some kind of trouble when it was found that an airline could purchase higher rankings. Maybe that's the case with airports, too.

[@Homer-OJ-Simpson]

@@kleeblattchen38 1980's is a LOT newer than most of the US airports, the major ones I mean. And the Asian ones were built or major renovation as their country was growing fast either population or economically thus allowing them to spend more on the airports. Singapore since 1981 has increased their population by 2.5x and went from a poor country in 1970's to one of the wealthiest today. The European airports are better comparison IMO. I've to many airports in Europe and they are hit or miss but the best there are better than the best in the US. Zurich & Munich were really nice. I believe Barcelona was really nice. Can't remember much from Lisbon, Rome & Milan and went to those in the past 5 years -- I think they were just average. Heathrow in London was...mix. Looked really nice but chaotic. The shopping experience is certainly something European airports have done better than most US.

[@Homer-OJ-Simpson]

@@fixpacifica I've been to about 15 European airports and went to Paris but honestly, the Paris one was well over a decade ago and I can't remember much. I do remember that 2 years later I went to Munich and fondly remember that airport so Paris airport was likely average at best.

[@thegatestoavalon]

I'm an Australian, and by nature, we are sticky beaks so, we travel. I've been to many Nations and l must agree with Singapore, the airport is so luxurious. I'm an old lady now and my very last trip was from 2016-2017 landing at Dallas on a QANTAS A380, l paid my dues doing economy a long time ago. However, some years ago, in 1989, l came to the United States for 3 months l caught 18 planes on the trip. In 2016 there was a great difference, l have been to 33 out of your 50 States. You may not like what l am going to say, but this was my experience in 2016-2017. No one smiles anymore, especially Homeland Security, l know they have a tough job, but l greeted him with a smile and a how are you, to be completely ignored, l said nothing but bye-bye, it was a pleasure to meet you. Also, are you aware that International passengers can cause delays in your Domestic Market? This is because of all the connecting flights they are catching, no, l don't think it's fair but that's what happens. They also overbook and have stand-by passengers in case someone doesn't turn up, this happened to me, so, the American Lady and the old Australian Lady were looking very embarrassed at each other. We were in Business Class. (l won't mention the airline) The Steward came to me and said he would shift me to First Class, l immediately said no, this Lady can go to First Class, she gave me a hug and said thank you. l do remember very clearly the 1st time l came there, my friend and l walked from the International to the Domestic part, because we saw Chinese passenger planes, they were painted all grey and when we entered the Domestic Terminal, the Lady looked at our ticket's and said she would be right back, she returned with a man who was probably her boss and he spent the next 10-15 mins explaining to us about not letting our suitcases out of our sight and told us what would happen, he even got us to repeat it back what he had told us. He made us feel very special. But apart from the conveniences and little inconveniences, l still love the American people, very nice and hospitable. Kind regards, an Australian.

[@luisg2631]

Great seeing you randomly in the streets of SoHo, London!

[@uptin]

Haha! Yess

[@terryevp4084]

Top-Notch video and Many Thanks for these great information...!!!

[@uptin]

Glad it was helpful!

[@iamjohnporter67]

My sister is going to be coming back from her Trip in Trinidad and she told me that she is going to really have a hard time getting through with the US Airports.

[@mohsinkhokharlive]

Great a very informative and properly researched video Good job 👍

[@uptin]

Thanks so much!

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Thank you for sharing our airports here in the USA. Yes, I am in Chicago and yes, O'Hare is my airport.. I know, I know, our big airports are crazy sometimes!!

[@uptin]

Glad you think so too

[@LMays-cu2hp]

@@uptin Yes, having worked in our bug airport here gives me that crazy experience!!!

[@fixpacifica]

I travel a lot and find US airports to be average, not awful. (LAX has always been pretty bad, though.) And the causes of delays aren't limited to the US. They're worldwide.

[@parispc]

As someone from NY, the Laguardia renovation turned out really nice. Too bad Laguardia only does domestic flights =(.

[@uptin]

Really?

[@Laughandsong]

It also does flights from Canada.

[@saifkhan-xj6rr]

Informative video. Well done.

[@uptin]

Glad you liked it!

[@ntatenarin]

I saw the title, and I'm like, "Oh boy, another O'Hare documentary!" I know O'Hare is being upgraded with a cool looking terminal, so hopefully it will be amazing!

[@uptin]

Pretty much! We’ll have to see

[@ESC_jackqulen]

Reminds me in Asia maybe like 20 years ago people go to the airport like it was a local attraction or the mall. It was more than just a transportation terminal

[@touringthecitywalking9209]

Very true, I remember back in the mid-1980s, when I came on my vacation to Bangalore, so many times my whole extended family members came to the airport, not just to receive me, but to see the airport and the plans!

[@joesama3282]

During late 80s-2000s, children went there to study and play, adults went there for groceries or promotions, elderly went there to see planes because they haven't been sit into one when they are younger and poor. Nowadays some airports had make it not only to connect planes and passengers but also the entertainment hub as well. Went to Changi Jewel, they even have Pokemon Center and Cooking Class. If you go to Terminal 3 they have Rock Climbing and Go Karting, which is so ridiculous to even imagine airport can be like this

[@ellashy6539]

when you focus on world hegemony but crumbling at your own country

[@javianjohnson8746]

You kept showing Changi, I want to go to that airport SO BADLY man

[@thomasrogers9146]

THIS IS WHY WE NEED HIGH SPEED RAIL IN THIS COUNTRY.

[@TheDiscoDuck]

I agree!

[@markdc1145]

I've pretty much stopped flying - anywhere. Our infrastructure is 3rd world at best. Improvements take forever to complete so that by the time they're done, they are ready for renovations again. And don't get me started on airline "service". Even prison is a friendlier experience.

[@Chemical_Logic]

this video should be played in all media news...

[@edwinhuang803]

One thing really bothers me is that they charge fees for using trollys. That's just greedy!

[@devashreeyumnam7009]

Wow that’s weird

[@joesama3282]

@@devashreeyumnam7009 Yup 8 dollars in LA airport, the only way you can get it free was if you're lucky enough to find one abandoned cart left by another passenger in the parking lot. American airport trolley are owned by separate, profit- making company. Some airports seem to be in business to make money and view such things as easy ways to wring more funds out of passengers. But they told their citizen that other airports charge airport fee more and they're charge less which is a straight lie because if you add those inclusive, the final spending is actually more if you travel internationally from american airlines.

[@ohmydeus]

Good video, Uptin

[@uptin]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@tenga3tango]

Its not the infrastructure, its the quality of the people.😂

[@ibrahimpasha8229]

The American airports were built first so of course they’re older. Other countries learned from what the US did in lots of respects and implemented more modern technology from the jump because they skipped that step.

[@johniii8147]

Most of the major hubs are in the process of major upgrades now.

[@neilefc877]

I have heard horror stories about US aviation incompetence, HOWEVER the TSA people come in for far more criticism. Apparently they treat travellers atrociously and all in the name of "theater security".

[@divitkarekar5803]

I honestly think flights in the US are really cheap, I mean yea there are delays,but so is the case in many other countries including UK and India But the competitiveness makes flight tickets really cheap which is awesome Also Amtrak train tickets is generally more expensive than a flight ticket for the same route

[@billbillerton6122]

Cheap? Lol Yeah, no.

[@Adrian-ve6kn]

Tell me about it,it’s not only happenings in US but in Malayisa too.We have Airasia which used to have this pro kem until now😢

[@sakenu16]

The problem compared to other countries is that USA does hot have a viable other option to travel between states. If USA had a better high speed rail then less people would fly domestically making airports and flights less crowded and allow for higher competition. In most other countries people don’t fly as much domestically but international. Even in China many take high speed train, USA does not have that option!

[@lucsabbagh5758]

GREAT VID. AS USUAL KING

[@uptin]

Appreciate that legend!

[@armorbearer9702]

I guess the US needs a new high speed transcontinental railroad.

[@davidb2206]

Yes. 30 years ago.

[@ryoukwjdbwopqmqpzl73819]

Now that's a good video idea unlike the food vids

[@lzh4950]

5:25 Singapore wants to impress people visiting its country so it invests heavily in its major airport, though its other international gateways aren't as impressive e.g. international trains end up at Woodlands Train Checkpoint, which is even further from downtown than Changi Airport, and bus connections to take you towards downtown sometimes reportedly get cancelled due to congestion. & until this year most international coaches terminate at the decrepit Golden Mile Complex & Tower. Meanwhile I guess a reason there aren't so many flight delays in this region is because airlines here haven't increased flights as much as Western ones back to pre-pandemic levels, so the aviation infrastructure isn't as stretched, though I guess this means some air tickets are more expensive e.g. S$3000 for SIN-LHR economy (~13.5h), RM1000 for SIN-Ipoh (~500km) during Chinese New Year, over S$1000 for SIN-TYO (on SIA)

[@dharmaram7527]

I find it very disingenuous from the expert to not factor in that airlines fired pilots and crew staff for not getting a medical experiment to keep their jobs. Now Congress just denied ability for airlines to rehire those pilots and staff that were wrongfully terminated to due the jab mandates. This is the real reason. Infrastructure was bad pre-2020 the difference now is there is pilot shortage.

[@kenyup7936]

my english is kinda limited , it seems because the flight tickets are cheap compared the americans' revenues, the labor costs in asia is cheap, that's why airports in aisa look fun, it has more thing to do? I think,im not sure

[@jasonhindle4054]

La Guardia? Good grief, if my 2007 visit was anything to go by, that place needed massive improvement. At LAX I actually enjoyed the walk between terminals (after clearing immigration). ORD was a nightmare; nothing to do if you didn’t have a lounge; lounges not great (back in 2008). DFW isn’t all that bad. I think US airports exits to remind me the UK’s airports aren’t as bad as I think.

[@johniii8147]

That would be old news now. Things have changed a lot since then.

[@jmlinden7]

LaGuardia is getting renovated, they're already done with one of the terminals and it actually looks nice now. ORD still doesn't have great lounges or food options. DFW, Phoenix, and Atlanta are all nice airports.

[@jasonhindle4054]

@@jmlinden7 Agreed. Even back on 07/08 DFW was pretty nice in terms of lounge options (Priority Pass and my Amex card for AA lounges), places to eat and the fact you could move between terminals airside.

[@ZackIAm]

I hate LAX, I will fly to John Wayne to avoid LAX, worse airport I’ve ever been through

[@lohoz]

which airport was featured at 4:05?

[@efanferdiantowibowo9610]

the craziest part is that US airlines tickets are among the most expensive compared to other countries

[@uptin]

😱😱😱

[@thomasrogers9146]

TRILLIONS SPENT ON WARS BUT NO MONEY TO INVEST IN OUR CRUMBLING INFRASTRUCTURE, MORE MONEY FOR UKRAINE WAR. ABOUT A TRILLION DOLLARS UP TO DATE. ITS SAD THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE MAKING JUSTIFICATION FOR OUT OUTDATED INFRASTRUCTURE. AMERICAN NEED TO TRAVEL TO SEE HOW FAR BEHIND WE ARE.

[@MattPerdeck]

Still don't understand why people have to wait hours to get off the plane after it has landed because there is no gate. Why let the plane take off if there is no gate at the other end? And why the shortage of gates? Do airports sell more slots than they can actually handle?

[@johniii8147]

It's actually very rare occurrence waiting "hours" for a gate. It just get's a lot of coverage when it happens. There are a lot of reasons why a plane can depart and have to wait for a gate for unforeseen operational/weather issues etc. 90% of the time things run as planned for US airlines within acceptable margins. No real shortage of gates the US only has "slots" at LGA/JFK/DCA/EWR.

[@jmlinden7]

Some gates are reserved to specific airlines while others are general use. This situation only really happens if a flight gets delayed, and by the time it lands, the gate that it was supposed to use is already being used for the next flight.

[@johniii8147]

@@jmlinden7 It's usually a flight delaying pushing back that cases a gate wait or reassignment at US hubs. Most gates are assigned to a specific carrier in the US. Common use gates are not that common. The airlines lease those gates in most cases.

[@DensDaPens]

Uptin: In the US flights are often delayed or cancelled more than any other country. Philippines: Hahaha! Are you sure you have that top spot?!!!

[@fixpacifica]

I think airports in China suffer worse delays, since airspace gives priority to military flights over civilian flights. I've taken 4 flights out of China over the past 10 years, and all departures were seriously delayed.

[@stennetmang]

China is the best place to live in,US and N,korea are same

[@sixtogonzaga655]

In general American transportation sucks! Not just airport but also railway! Even road!

[@JeffAdairKTM530]

hard to find good people when you dont play a middle class wage.

[@mp-lv8bw]

You should try the airport in Manila, Philippines

[@reddy100000]

What happened to trains ?

[@63saruman]

Mexican here: wanna see an awful airport? Try Mexico City's international airport.

[@Ryanrobi]

I agree just flew in to Boston logan fron Hong Kong and wow Logan is awful compared very outdated old, slow, confusing (and I am from Massachusetts so i ussualy fly from Logan) and i could get around better in Manilas old over crowed airport or Hong Kongs nice airport.we simply have to many things that drive up infrastructure costs so we simply dont build and our airports are so dam old and typically poorly run at a loss by government where in asia they are often private or jointly run and profitable.

[@LIL-MAN_theOG]

And the crazy thing about Seattle Tacoma airport is that it sucks....Denver and Minneapolis/St. Paul is waaaaaaay better. In fact, I think that poll is garbage.

[@TheeRomantic]

I don't want the industry to be run by the government and honestly i don't want to see a rainforest in a airport. I just want to get to point A to point B and maybe deal with a delay for a few hours

[@shaanhingorani1524]

The Delhi and Mumbai airports in India have a better airport in term of infrastructure and architecture . Mumbai Airport is very efficient despite being the busiest single runway airport. The better US airports in the US are Atlanta and Santa Ana

[@patrisio3]

Most major U.S. airports were designed and built back during a time where air travel in the U.S. was much greater than anywhere in the world...a time when some of the countries with the best airports today only had small airports. Since then, the rest of the world has caught up in air travel, but have designed and built big airports with more modern engineering since the U.S. had it's big airport boom.

[@Ahuntsicspotter]

Canadian airports 🛫 are the same as well the US one's.

[@leonelgaldinomonteiro4783]

Just print more dolars

[@EpicCrapTime]

JFK airport… if you know you know -_-

[@irritatedanglosaxon1705]

I was stranded for 12 hours in Maine in my wah home to Georgia, that nuts. This L and is becoming 3rd world countries

[@pururun]

I blame pete buttigieg

[@tkokflux6322]

I blame reagan

[@patrisio3]

Probably another reason for delay is the number of planes flying. The U.S. has about 45,000 daily flights...by far more than any other place. All of Europe has about 30,000..even though the number of passengers is just as much as the U.S. if not more. In another comparison, China has about 15,000 flights a day.

[@AstonMartinStig]

Delayed, canceled, no refunds, bad attitude from the airlines staff. Things have gotten a lot worse in the last 5 years.

[@dongunatillaka6879]

Visit Dubai airport.

[@nSiLEtan]

Is it a coincidence that this video is 9:11 long?

[@mikemorris1760]

The government calls the shots, the FAA complies and the passengers get screwed. It’s that simple.

[@Traveling_Trefs]

Identity politics. That's why.

[@mztokyo7630]

Great discussion: a few points I will add that are not as evident. 1. Low ticket prices led too awful passengers. Passengers that should take a bus are now able to fly. These passengers do not know how to behave and cause terrible incidents, fighting, etc that lead to delays. We need passengers to pass a credit and criminal background check. Maybe sounds elitist but necessary. 2 TSA is just security theater. A bunch of bullies in windbreakers. A bunch of losers from high school that we allow to much discretion. Or affirmative action hires. 3 weather!! USA is so huge the departure and destination weather will vary greatly. Just be happy there are not more flights crashing. 4 NTSB and airport traffic control and every airlines antiquated system. Year 2000 issues are nothing compared to the crazy systems and regulations imposed on them from ignorant politicians in the name of safety. Okay, I said it and will get a lot of haters because the truth hurts!!

[@johniii8147]

Some good point, but you loose some credibility posting SkyTrax ratings. Those are paid for advertisement. US airlines or airports don't really bother with it.

[@TheeRomantic]

I think if more countries had to deal with the amount of flights we deal with.. their airports wont be looking the same way.

[@joen4088]

The problem is that in the US wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few who dont pay their fair share of taxes. For about 10% of Jeff Besos net worth you could rebuild LAX, ORD, and JFK. This is why our infrastructure is outdated and failing. Our airports are crowded, dingy, loud, and inefficient glorified bus stations that totally ruin the travel experience

[@johnleone1996]

DTW is certainly an exception

[@Gandhi2241]

Uploads a video about American aviation thats 9:11 long 🌚🌚🌚🌚

[@InitialRelic593]

Ok if there is so much demand and limited airspace shouldn’t they be using bigger planes than smaller ones. The logic in USA is a bit bizarre. If you don’t have enough pilots or gates or airspace, carry more passengers, encourage bigger planes so you have fewer tiny planes. Come on America stop complicating silly issues and just use logic like the rest of the world!!!

[@navin344]

America has poor rail network so flight remains the only option.

[@stud6414]

I find US airports to be fine and efficient. Who wants to hangout at the airport?

[@DAnielIvey1]

It's a lot of debt covered by tax dollars. 🎉

[@jeffmorrison2915]

The perception that American airports are “bad” and that flights are frequently delayed is influenced by a combination of factors: 1. Infrastructure and Age: Many American airports were built decades ago and were not initially designed to handle today’s volume of passengers and flights. This can result in inefficiencies, congestion, and delays. 2. Air Traffic Congestion: The U.S. has some of the busiest airspaces in the world. With many major airports located relatively close to each other (e.g., in the Northeast), the skies can become crowded, leading to delays. 3. Weather: The U.S. experiences diverse weather patterns, including thunderstorms, hurricanes, blizzards, and tornadoes, which can disrupt flights. 4. Airline Practices: U.S. airlines often schedule flights very tightly, meaning that a delay early in the day can have cascading effects on later flights. 5. Regulatory Environment: The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) sets strict rules and regulations for flight safety. While these regulations keep air travel safe, they can also result in delays, especially when unexpected maintenance or crew scheduling issues arise. 6. Hub-and-Spoke System: Many U.S. airlines operate on a hub-and-spoke system, where many flights go through major hub airports. If there’s a delay or issue at a hub, it can ripple through the network. 7. Funding and Investment: Public funding for infrastructure can be inconsistent, leading to deferred maintenance and outdated facilities. While there have been efforts to modernize airports, the pace may not match the rapid growth in air travel demand. 8. Customer Expectations: There’s a difference between perceived and actual performance. While many travelers may have experienced delays, the overall on-time performance might be better than perceived. 9. Operational Issues: Equipment failures, IT outages, or labor disputes (e.g., strikes or shortages) can have significant impacts on flight schedules. Over the years, a few major U.S. airlines have experienced massive disruptions due to computer system outages, leading to numerous flight cancellations and delays. 10. Security Protocols: Post-9/11, the U.S. implemented rigorous security measures which, while essential for passenger safety, can also add time to the travel process. The increased security screenings can sometimes cause bottlenecks, especially during peak travel times. 11. Geopolitical Events: Issues like government shutdowns, as seen multiple times in the past decade, can affect the staffing and operations of key agencies like the TSA and FAA, leading to delays and other disruptions. 12. Scale of Operations: The U.S. aviation market is one of the largest in the world. With over a billion passengers a year traveling through its airports, small percentages in inefficiencies can result in a large absolute number of affected passengers, amplifying the perception of issues. 13. Comparison with Other Countries: Travelers who’ve experienced airports in other parts of the world, particularly in Asia or the Middle East where some newer airports are considered state-of-the-art, might find certain U.S. airports lacking in comparison. This is especially true when comparing amenities, aesthetics, and passenger experience. 14. Slot Restrictions and Gate Limitations: Some airports, like those in the New York City area, have slot restrictions, which can lead to airlines rushing to claim available slots, potentially causing congestion. Additionally, limited gates can cause inbound flights to wait on the tarmac until a gate is available. 15. Economic Pressures: Airlines, in a bid to maximize profitability, might reduce turnaround times for aircraft, leaving little room for error. When issues arise, the tight schedules can lead to cascading delays. 16. Public Perception and Media Amplification: Delays, particularly severe ones, are often widely reported in the media, creating a feedback loop where the perception of the problem might seem larger than the actual frequency of occurrence. 17. Legacy Systems and Bureaucracy: The use of older, legacy systems in some parts of U.S. aviation can make it challenging to quickly adapt or make efficiency improvements. This is coupled with bureaucratic challenges which can slow down decision-making processes, making reforms more cumbersome. 18. Land and Space Limitations: Expanding or updating airport infrastructure in the U.S. often requires negotiations with local municipalities, landowners, and other stakeholders. In densely populated areas, there may be significant opposition to expansion due to noise, environmental concerns, or other local issues. 19. Competition and Market Dynamics: The airline industry in the U.S. has seen significant consolidation in the past decades, leading to fewer major carriers. While this can result in operational efficiencies for the airlines, it can also lead to specific routes or airports being heavily dominated by a single carrier, which can affect competition and service quality. 20. Environmental and Wildlife Concerns: Airports often have to deal with environmental regulations and wildlife concerns, which can affect operations. Birds and other animals can pose significant hazards to flights, leading to delays or changes in operations to ensure safety. 21. Decentralized Decision Making: Unlike some countries where airport decisions might be centralized under a single authority, U.S. airports are often managed by local or regional entities. This decentralized approach can result in inconsistencies in decision-making, management, and operations across the country. 22. Complex Stakeholder Landscape: Beyond just the airlines and passengers, U.S. airports deal with a vast array of stakeholders, from federal agencies like the FAA and TSA to local businesses, ground transportation services, and more. Balancing the needs and priorities of these groups can be challenging. 23. Demand Surges: Certain events, whether planned like major sports events or unplanned like natural disasters, can lead to sudden surges in demand at specific airports. Such unpredictable spikes can strain resources and lead to delays. 24. Dependency on Technology: While technology has facilitated many aspects of air travel, it also introduces points of vulnerability. Glitches, hacks, or outages can disrupt not just one flight but thousands. 25. Cultural and Social Dynamics: Expectations around travel in the U.S. can also play a role. For instance, the emphasis on customer service might sometimes conflict with operational efficiency. Also, in a litigious society, concerns about potential lawsuits can sometimes lead to conservative decision-making by airlines or airports, erring on the side of caution which might result in delays. 26. Diversified Route Networks: The vast expanse of the U.S. and its varied geographies mean airlines service everything from large international hubs to smaller regional and municipal airports. Managing consistent services and connections across such diverse networks is inherently challenging. 27. Capital Investment Priorities: While there’s acknowledgment of the need to upgrade and modernize airports, priorities for capital investments may differ. Other pressing needs, whether it’s road infrastructure, public transit, or non-transportation-related projects, might compete for the same public funds. 28. Passenger Volume and Seasonality: U.S. holidays like Thanksgiving see a massive uptick in domestic travel, straining the aviation system. Similarly, summer months are peak travel times. The seasonality and variability in passenger volume can present logistical challenges. 29. Training and Workforce Challenges: The aviation industry requires a highly trained workforce. Any gaps in training or workforce shortages (e.g., air traffic controllers, pilots, ground crew, etc.) can lead to inefficiencies and delays. 30. Geopolitical Dynamics: While this affects aviation globally, U.S. airlines and airports, given their significant international connections, have to constantly adapt to changing geopolitical landscapes. Changes in visa regulations, diplomatic relations, or other international events can impact operations. 31. Intermodal Connections: Unlike some international airports that are seamlessly connected to high-speed rail or other rapid transit systems, many U.S. airports may not have as efficient intermodal transportation links. This can affect the overall travel experience and perception of “efficiency.” 32. Safety Protocols: While strict safety protocols are necessary, they can sometimes result in longer turnaround times. Aircraft checks, ground crew protocols, and passenger screenings can all add to the time it takes for a flight to depart or for passengers to board. 33. Fuel and Operational Costs: Fluctuations in oil prices can impact airline operations. While this is a global phenomenon, U.S. carriers, given the vast domestic distances they often cover, can be particularly sensitive to fuel cost fluctuations. 34. Customer Feedback and Communication: In the age of social media, customer feedback is instantaneous. While this provides airlines and airports with valuable real-time data, it also means that any delay or inconvenience is instantly amplified, contributing to the perception of inefficiency. 35. Inter-agency Coordination: Coordination between different agencies, from those responsible for airspace management to those handling security or customs, can be complex. Inefficiencies or miscommunications between agencies can sometimes trickle down to affect flight operations.

[@Phlegethon]

Oh yea America’s trains and buses that don’t need to prioritize profit are sooooooooooooooooooo good best in the world

[@mrhand3350]

Before highway that have train

[@ktchelseafamily3314]

Cute

[@arly0607]

Too 😂much marihuana no one shows up for work or late😮

[@blo0dyc0rpse]

mic is not soo good is wierde nuis somtime

[@AbrarAhmed-7]

It sounds like his voice is AI Generated

[@D-TRIL]

the sky is the limit 🤓

[@Iwilltravelforfood]

I couldn’t even find something decent to eat in JFK, all the businesses were closed. I blame the American work ethic, it’s horrible, in the airline industry and most other industries.

[@Jun31719]

if you think US airports are bad, then you may think US airlines are the worst. Terrible customer service, frequent delays and cancellations. Rude employees.

[@celestialx8]

1 word thanks biden

[@GoldMario5500]

You took those words out of my mouth

[@sidali2590]

Damn what the the usa is falling backwards

[@rajanjacob2577]

Jfk is worst airport

[@bakerkawesa]

Capitalism is chaotic.

[@lucaadesigns]

first

[@uptin]

Congrats!

[@vonvoyage0911]

First

[@ZephrynBautista]

Uhhhh have you been to the Manila airport? 🤣🥲 It’s way worse than any US airport