Tampa Airport

Tampa is a lovely airport bright and spacious pleasant staff decent places to eat and drink and no fuss picking up and dropping off our bags and collecting and returning our hire car. It has to rank as probably the best airport I have used in the US. It is just a pity that you have to fly from the UK to a connecting airport in the US to get there as it only has one flight a day from Gatwick with BA which isn't always very suitable to those living outside London.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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).

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.

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 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.