TAMPA INT'L AIRPORT review : 1 March 2010 by P Aigner

Customer Rating : 5/5

My first encounter with Tampa International was 1987, before 911. Tampa International is my home airport, which I fly out of several times a year, domestically and internationally since 1995. After 911, Tampa was the only airport that wasn't scrambling with the new security measures since they already had many of them in place. As a result, their treatment of passengers was very even handed and fair. The airport is a lot bigger than it appears. But because it's designed on a hub system with rays branching out to the individual terminals, connected by trams, it's easy to get to any of the airsides within a very reasonable amount of time without running your butt off. I've been in airports where I had to run a couple miles on a 20 minute connection to skid into the gate to be the last one to get on the plane. It's difficult to get lost in this airport, because of the hub system, the clear, large and well placed signs and the logical layout. I've been in airports where there are no signs or the signs indicate a straight path when in fact the route is on a hairpin curve up a staircase, where the missing sign is hidden out of sight, or there's a blank wall where the sign indicates a clear pathway. Also, if you are dropped off on or have driven to the wrong side of the main terminal, all you have to do is either walk across the building inside to the other side or go to the end of the building and drive around to the other side. Tampa is also a pleasant place to wait. I've done a lot of waiting for my husband to get off work after my flight gets in. Tampa did a major renovation a few years back and improved a lot of areas in the terminal. TSA have their problems no matter where you may fly. However, this is one of the few airports where I've often seen the security agents try to make the situation a lot easier for us by being kind and careful with the security checks and some of them also use humor. This is also one of the few airports where the security explained to me what they were doing and why. (The other was Brussels Airport when they were using me as a training guinea pig while I becoming late for my plane.) A lot of them are pleasant and smiling. And not a one of them has ever treated me inappropriately.

TAMPA INT'L AIRPORT review : 8 November 2009 by J Wilson

Customer Rating : 5/5

My wife and I usually vacation in FLA once a year and try to use TPA as our USA gateway. We have travelled all over the world and Tampa International is leaps and bounds above other airports we have flown to. Friendly staff, rapid check in, great food and drink, good shops and even at peak times you can find a seat.

TAMPA INT'L AIRPORT review : 10 March 2009 : by J Marshall

Customer Rating : 5/5

My favorite airport. They even do a better job with getting you through security (the TSA still leaves a lot to be desired, but the check points occurring airside limits the long waits). Easy to drop off rental car and then go directly to plane, no bus involved. The airport is also centrally located. Downtown Tampa is close by as well as bridges to Clearwater and St. Pete.

TAMPA INT'L AIRPORT review : 22 December 2008 : by M Neave

Customer Rating : 5/5

As a regular visitor to Florida Tampa is my favourite airport to fly in and out of, only BA fly here direct from the UK and it is a shame more UK carriers dont. Clearing immigration customs and picking up luggage with minimum delay unlike Orlando or Miami airports, also car rental facilities are good and exiting the airport is easy on the Interstate. Facilities are good to with first class shops restaurants and bars, only one annoyance why you have to show ID to buy an alcoholic drink even though you are obviously over 21.

TAMPA INT'L AIRPORT review : 13 December 2008 : by J Sabaduquia

Customer Rating : 5/5

Tampa Airport was a hidden beauty!! Very big, clean, and welcoming airport. With friendly staffs and countless amount of stores, restaurants and seating. We arrived from JFK and the arrival was smooth. The arrival lobby was huge! When we departed security was fast with friendly smiles. Lots of restaurants in the departure lounges. Can't believe that only 1 european flight operates in Tampa. Tampa Airport is comparable to Singapore Changi and Hong Kong Airport as well as other 5 stars airport however Tampa is not really a big city.

TAMPA INT'L AIRPORT review : 9 November 2008 : by S Harrill

Customer Rating : 5/5

This has been my home airport for five years and TPA is a dream and a gem of a US airport. Very efficient, friendly staff, well-planned and simple to maneuver, easy parking, close to downtown Tampa, decent non-stop access. Only small complaint are the food options in the terminals -- if you have a decent amount of time for a layover, I'd suggest going to the main terminal for better options, as security is (almost always) a breeze. Rarely, have I spent more than 10 minutes getting through security. Why, oh why, wouldn't some US airline make TPA a hub, or some European carrier expand here (we still only have the one BA flight for international, along with some Mexican/Caribbean/Canadian flights).

TAMPA INT'L AIRPORT review : 9 October 2008 : by G McGowan

Customer Rating : 5/5

Excellent airport - bright, clean and well-signed. Major renovations have been done over the past few years and all of the cramped old airsides have been replaced. Security lines may get a bit long during peak periods but TSA staff is very efficient and they keep lines moving.

TAMPA INT'L AIRPORT review : 22 July 2008 : by M Saunders

Customer Rating : 4/5

Would endorse the 'hidden gem' comment about this airport. Couldl not believe how nice it was, especially compared to other US airports. Was just in transit so did not have to use check-in procedures, but the airport was extremely pleasant during my waiting time. It looked as though there were good food options, and the atmosphere of the whole place was airy, bright and welcoming.

Tampa International Airport review by T Atmore

1 April 2008   Customer Rating :

Tampa International was a pleasure. Very efficient sign-posting both inside and outside terminal building. Immigration was a breeze, through in no time. In taxi, with bags, within 35 minutes of landing. Departure was similar. Slight queue at check-in, due I think to difficulties with previous traveller. Security was swift, with smiling staff! International Club Lounge very pleasant, with lovely, friendly staff. At the departure gate, we purchased some last-minute duty free items. We paid and were advised that our items would be waiting at the gate for us. We wondered how as the gate was less than 30 yards away, and we were priority boarding, i.e. immediately. But true enough. I don't know how they managed it, but the items were there waiting for us! Excellent service.

Tampa International Airport review by Patrick Neill

27 March 2008   Customer Rating :

This is an efficient and reliable US airport I actually enjoy going back to. The atmosphere is very relaxed and laid back. People are friendly. In addition Airport management obviously cares for the details as evidenced by such new amenities as free WIFI or a parking lot with arrival displays for cars waiting to pick up passengers. The only pity is that there is only one single international flight to Europe (on BA to Gatwick with spotty transfer efficiency and choices in Gatwick). I think that this hidden gem of an US airports would deserve more international traffic to Europe and could become an alternative for those wanting to avoid the other airports on the US East Coast. How about direct flights to Zurich or Munich. Both offer many onward connections and are far less crowded and overloaded than say London, Frankfurt or Paris.

Tampa International Airport review by Mike Gardiner

20 April 2007   Customer Rating : n/a

Arrived here for an Easter break with my family on the excellent BA service from London Gatwick. While we stood in line for immigration, a charming gentleman walked along the line to check passengers' visa waiver forms, which seems like a good idea to avoid problems at the desk. When he spotted that both our children have microchipped passports he directed us to special (short) lines for these, thereby bypassing the main wait. We were then further taken directly through the US citizens' line, since there was no-one else there, and processed by a very cheerful and pleasant officer. With all the bad stuff that one reads about the treatment of visitors at some US airports, it's great to report that TPA manages courtesy and efficiency. I can't beat Nick Jones' time, but 40 minutes from the full 777 arriving at the gate to our leaving the airport is still pretty impressive. Our return journey was equally smooth - full marks to TPA, a fine airport that we will choose to use if at all possible.

Tampa International Airport review by Nick Jones

4 April 2007

We flew into TPA on 6 March 2008 from UK. What a pleasant change after putting up with the horrors of MIA for many years. The immigration staff were pleasant and welcoming, the luggage arrived in no time and we were driving away in our rental car within 30 minutes of landing. Our departure was equally painless with very easy check in and no delays through security. Well done to all at TPA, we'll be back in 2008.

Tampa International Airport review by Mike Tan

3 August 2006

Tampa used to be a great airport, but it has declined rapidly in the past 10 years. Congestion in the parking areas and drop off/pick up is horrible. There are almost no international flights. The food quality near the gates is way below the standard of other airports. The bathrooms have not been updated in 20 years and are usually wet and dirty. Also, because of the increased number of flights, the red/blue system hardly works anymore and you usually have to walk a long, long way. The tram system works fine when they have both trams running, but they often don't. That causes long delays. Seems like Tampa airport managers are asleep at the wheel.

Tampa International Airport review by Edward Jones

8 April 2006

TPA is one of the better airports in the US, but am I the only person annoyed by the blaring rock music on their PA system? I had time to kill before a recent flight, and I found the noise pollution to be overwhelming. Though a non-smoker myself, I tried to take refuge in an outdoor smoking area near my gate, and there were loudspeakers there too! I wish they would turn down the volume, or better yet, turn off the music altogether.


 

IMPORTANT NOTE