Tampa Airport

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.

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.

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 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.

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.