Tampa International Ranked #1 Airport in America (And Westchase Is 15 Minutes Away)

Moving to Tampa? Here's a perk that doesn't show up on most listing sheets. Tampa International Airport (TPA) was just ranked the #1 large airport in America. If you live in Westchase or West Park Village, you can get there in as little as 15 minutes.

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TPA Takes #1 in the J.D. Power 2026 Airport Study

J.D. Power's 2026 North America Airport Satisfaction Study surveyed more than 24,000 real travelers. Tampa International scored 715 out of 1,000, the top mark for large airports and the highest score of any airport in the country.

It isn't a one-off. TPA won in 2022 and 2023, placed second in 2024 and 2025, and is back on top in 2026. That's three wins in five years.

Airside D: TPA's New International Terminal

Right now, a lot of Tampa Bay travelers drive to Orlando for international flights. Airside D is built to change that. It's TPA's first new airside in almost 20 years:

• 16 gates serving international and domestic travelers
• About 600,000 square feet over two levels plus a mezzanine
• Two new airline lounges
• A new shuttle system and guideway
• A dedicated processing facility for arriving international passengers

Construction is expected to wrap at the end of 2028, with the terminal opening to travelers in 2029. It's part of TPA's plan to serve up to 35 million passengers a year by 2037.

New Shuttles in Airsides A and C

Eight new automated shuttles are now running in Airsides A and C. They came out of a $61 million vehicle replacement project that also rehabilitated the guideway. The old cars had been running since the 1990s. The new ones are quieter, smoother and more reliable. Airside E gets four new cars next.

More Nonstop Destinations From Tampa

• Breeze Airways launched its first international nonstop from TPA to Nassau, Bahamas on June 11, with fares as low as $99. It also added Punta Cana and San José, Costa Rica. By the end of 2026, Breeze expects to serve 37 destinations from Tampa, six of them in the Caribbean and Latin America.
• Frontier and JetBlue added Punta Cana, Santo Domingo and Montego Bay.
• British Airways moves its Tampa service from London Gatwick to London Heathrow starting October 2026. Heathrow puts far more of Europe one stop away.
  
  

Why This Matters If You Live in Westchase

From Westchase, the Veterans Expressway gets you to TPA short-term parking in about 15 to 20 minutes. South Tampa is closer on the map, but traffic often closes that gap. From Wesley Chapel or Riverview, plan on 30+ minutes more, usually with heavier traffic.

If you fly twice a month for work, or family flies in for the holidays, that drive shapes your quality of life. Westchase gives you well-regarded schools, West Park Village's walkable town center, and a short drive to the top-rated airport in America. That's the full package.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How far is Westchase from Tampa International Airport?
  About 15 to 20 minutes via the Veterans Expressway, depending on traffic.
• When does TPA's Airside D open?
  It's scheduled to open to travelers in 2029.
• Is Tampa International really the best airport in the U.S.?
  In J.D. Power's 2026 study, TPA ranked #1 among large airports with a score of 715 out of 1,000, the highest of any airport in the country.
  
  

Thinking About Buying or Selling in Westchase?

Whether you're relocating to Tampa Bay or selling in Westchase or West Park Village, we know this neighborhood from the inside. Ask us about the HELP Program: we invest up to $50,000 in pre-listing improvements, and you pay nothing until closing. Ask about MOFIR too. Your price. Our promise.

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📧 Email: bryan@bryancoward.com
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The Bryan Coward Team · Keller Williams Realty · Tampa Bay, FL · Each KW office independently owned and operated. Bryan Coward PA, Florida Licensed Real Estate Broker Associate. Market data reflects general trends and should not be construed as a formal appraisal or guaranteed valuation.