Phoenix Makes a Worst List Again - But It's a Good Thing

Sperling's BestPlaces is popular for people wanting to know what the best and worst places in America are in various categories. I rarely use them as a reference since I usually find their methodology to be flawed in one way or another, not portraying an accurate picture of Greater Phoenix in several past surveys. A recent one, however, puts us on the worst ten list once again - but it's probably a good thing.

AXE, a men's grooming products company whose target market is 18-24 year-olds, commissioned Sperling's BestPlaces to study our largest airports. The "Best and Worst Airports to Make a Connection" study has been announced. You might think that this study surveyed how well and easily people were able to get from one flight to their connecting flight, but no, you'd be mistaken. This list is about meeting people -- making a love connection.

Sperling's states that "Nearly one in ten adults has personally gone out or knows someone who has gone out with someone they met at the airport or during a flight." Out of 37 airports analyzed, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport came in at number 32. Bad airport, bad. What were the criteria? Generally, the airports with the most delays and most bars and lounges were considered the best places for people to make a new friend. While Sky Harbor has, in recent years, added more restaurants, retail and other amenities (especially in Terminal 4), our airport's good on-time flight record and our lack of delays due to bad weather makes it a tough place to linger and get to know someone new, hence our poor ranking. Congrats, Sky Harbor, for being one of the worst!