Tampa International Airport’s Stellar Service and Mile-High Amenities
By Dylan Berman
Living in Greater Tampa Bay means easy access to a large, upscale airport, namely the Tampa International Airport. TIA is home to dozens of airlines, food venues and other amenities. With nonstop flights available to a plethora of vacation destinations, business hubs and bustling cities, Tampa International Airport will surely be able to accommodate travelers flying within the country and across the globe.
Sky’s the Limit
Major airlines including American Airlines, Delta, British Airways, United and Jetblue operate out of the Tampa International Airport. With so many options there are even more choices of destinations. For instance, Delta, JetBlue and Southwest all offer direct flights to the Big Apple. Similarly, vacationers looking to escape the lights and noises that come with city life for destinations like Havana and Cancun can choose from airlines like JetBlue, Frontier, and Southwest.
Fueling The Journey
Tampa International Airport has a wide variety of food options to choose from. Those feeling like they just need a quick pick me up can head to Bay Coffee and Tea, Buddy Brew, illy Cafe or Starbucks. Travelers looking for a quick but fulfilling meal have options from P.F. Changs, Panda Express, Pei Wei to Qdoba Mexican Grill or Auntie Anne’s. Patrons who have a little more time on their hands should check out Burger 21 or Hard Rock Cafe. Guests can even enjoy Michelen-starred food at Ulele like salads, seafood, cocktails and beers while waiting to board.
Stop and Shop
Besides limitless choices for quick bites or longer meals, TIA also offers a full range of shopping venues. Souvenirs, books, medicine and easy-to-go snacks can be found at Stellar Bar News or Ybor City News stores. Guests in need of last-minute clothes shopping can check out The Runway, The Shoppes at Bayshore or Tampa Bay Sports. Additionally, for those looking to pick up electronics on the go, there are several stores available to meet your tech needs, such as Intune Electronics, Inmotion and Tech on the Go.
Lounge In Luxury
American Airlines customers have access to their own little getaway before their vacation even starts with the Admirals Club lounge located in Airside F. Some perks of the Admirals Club are buffet snacks and refreshments at no additional cost and access to a fully loaded bar. Guests can enjoy their favorite cocktail while catching up on the news with access to newspapers, magazines, and televisions. If it’s a slow news day, visitors can finish up last minute work assignments through one of the semi private workstations with access to Wi-Fi.
Delta customers also enjoy some luxury at the TIA with access to the Sky Club in Airside E. Delta guests can sip their favorite wine, beer or cocktail while they munch on a quick snack. Or guests can connect their devices to the WiFi and catch up on the latest episode of their favorite show or download it for the flight. The delta lounge contains flight monitors so guests can stay up to date on their flights status.
Tampa International Airport Accolades:
- Ranked #1 in Airport Service Quality among North American airports with 15-25 millions passengers by Airports Council International
- JD Power called Tampa International Airport the best large airport in its North American Airport Satisfaction Survey for the second year in a row
St. Pete/Clearwater
A smaller but fierce airport, the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport comes with some charming benefits. Dining choices at St. Pete are fewer, but cuisine choices are equally as strong with options including Mazzaro for Italian, Dunkin Donuts or Market 361 for coffee and the District Pub for a more classic American meal experience. Shopping for small snacks or in-flight entertainment is possible thanks to Sand & Sky Shoppe or Hudson. Though the airport lacks exclusive lounges, it makes up it with Wi-Fi, art installations, and for those traveling with four legged friends, there are even small parks, known as “Bark Parks.”
