Airport restrooms see millions of users and are cleaned dozens of times per day — which means they range from spotlessly maintained to surprisingly grim. Here is what travelers need to know about major US airports.
Top-Rated Airport Restrooms
Based on traveler surveys and airport quality rankings, these airports consistently receive praise for restroom facilities:
- Indianapolis International Airport (IND): Has repeatedly won the Airports Council International award for North America's best airport. Restrooms are frequently cited in reviews.
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG): Consistently rated one of the cleanest mid-size airports in North America.
- Denver International (DEN): Recent terminal renovations have significantly upgraded restroom facilities across all concourses.
- Dallas Fort Worth (DFW): High cleaning frequency and modern fixtures at most terminals.
Finding Restrooms in Large Airports
In mega-airports like LAX, JFK, O'Hare and Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL), restrooms are found at regular intervals along concourses. Major airports post cleaning logs at each restroom entrance; a recent timestamp is a good sign.
Family Restrooms and Nursing Rooms
All major US airports are required to provide nursing/lactation rooms, which are typically separate from general family restrooms. Look for the Mamava nursing pods at many large airports, or ask at an information desk for the nearest quiet nursing space.
Gender-Neutral Restrooms
Many airports have added gender-neutral single-occupancy restrooms. These are often excellent options for families with children, people with disabilities, or anyone who needs more privacy.
Connecting Flights
If you have a tight connection, restrooms near departure gates are faster to access than those near the security checkpoint. Once you are through security, gate-side restrooms are your best bet for speed and availability.