ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Albuquerque’s Sunport is stylistically one-of-a-kind with grand ceilings, beautiful art, and more live local music with the recent remodel. Now, those hallmarks have earned the Sunport major new recognition as one of the best airports in the country. The honor comes from the Washington Post, which ranked the Sunport as the 7th best in the nation, based on a combination of factors.
“This is a great honor for us,” said Manny Manriquez, Innovation & Commercial Development Manager for the Albuquerque International Sunport.
Among more than 450 airports across the U.S., the Albuquerque International Airport is being recognized as one of the easiest to get through, but also one of the most enjoyable. “It’s in the top 10, for me it’s probably top five,” said Andrea Bollinger, a traveler.
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“I would rank it as number three of the airports I know a lot about,” said Diana Petitti, another traveler.
The new ranking comes from the Washington Post. Not only did they take more than 2,000 reader responses about airports, but they also factored in things like TSA wait times, food options, parking, and design. The Post also considered nearly half a million Yelp reviews from US airport vendors and restaurants.
“Most airports kind of look the same, but what’s kind of cool about here is, like, there’s all of these wood beams, they have all these designs on them,” said traveler Brenna Baker.
The Sunport ranked 7th, with the Post noting the Great Hall and big upgrades, with the “Dream of Flight” renovation, which still has more to come. This summer, new food additions like the Indian Pueblo Kitchen and New Mexico Piñon Coffee are expected to open.
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The Sunport’s finishing up new concession and vendor stands, too. “It’s hard work,” Manriquez said. “But it’s also the fun part, because it’s seeing these things that were once renderings in a proposal become reality.”
Another big-ticket item the ranking mentioned is the observation deck, which has been closed for more than a year. Airport leaders say that hopefully by the end of next year, the new deck will open, showing Albuquerque air travelers an unmatched view of the Sandia Mountains.
The Sunport’s 7th place ranking puts it above Indianapolis, Salt Lake City, and Detroit. The top three include Portland, Long Beach, and Washington, D.C.
