Airport news

Dallas Love Field lands No. 3 ranking among best large airports in U.S.

Love Field nails down the highest finish among six Texas airports.

Dallas Love Field

Dallas Love Field flies to the top of a new ranking of the best major airports in Texas.

Nationally, Love Field ranks third in the large-airport category of J.D. Powers’ 2022 North America Airport Satisfaction Study. With a score of 825 on a 1,000-point scale, Love Field nails down the highest finish among the six Texas airports included in the study.

Love Field is preceded on the large-airport list by Tampa International Airport in Florida (846) and John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California (826).

“Providing a first-rate customer experience is, without question, our No. 1 goal,” Mark Duebner, aviation director for the City of Dallas, said in a 2021 news release issued by Love Field.

The J.D. Power study measures overall traveler satisfaction with mega, large, and midsize North American airports by examining six factors: terminal facilities; airport arrivals and departures; baggage claim; security check; check-in and baggage check; and food, beverage, and retail.

The study is based on survey responses from 26,529 U.S. and Canadian residents who had traveled through at least one U.S. or Canadian airport in the previous 30 days.

Among the six Texas airports featured in the study, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport — the world’s second busiest airport — lands at No. 5 (score of 778) statewide. On the list of mega airports, DFW appears at No. 8, with Minneapolis-Saint Paul International claiming the top spot.

“At DFW, we continue on a path forward that prioritizes the customer’s journey, operational excellence, and a culture that welcomes all to North Texas,” Sean Donohue, CEO of DFW, said in an April news release.

Here’s how the four other Texas airports fared in the J.D. Power study:

Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport, No. 2 in Texas and No. 8 among large airports (score of 803)
San Antonio International Airport, No. 3 in Texas and No. 9 among large airports (score of 802)
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, No. 4 in Texas and No. 15 among large airports (score of 785)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport Houston, No. 6 in Texas and No. 16 among mega airports (score of 758)

J.D. Power says overall satisfaction with North American airports fell 25 points to 777 in the new study.

“The combination of pent-up demand for air travel, the nationwide labor shortage, and steadily rising prices on everything from jet fuel to a bottle of water have created a scenario in which airports are extremely crowded and passengers are increasingly frustrated — and it is likely to continue through 2023,” says Michael Taylor, travel intelligence lead at J.D. Power.

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Smoke on the Thames

2 Michelin-starred Texas pitmasters take their world-class BBQ to London

InterStellar and La Barbecue at The Ned London

The Ned London/thened.com

Even in Austin's home scene, these restaurants are considered the cream of the crop. Abroad, this is an extra special treat.

Two of Texas' best barbecue joints are are firing up their grills in London. Austin-based InterStellar and La Barbecue are in residence for one month a London hotel called The Ned.

Service started on September 4, and guests have until October 4 to see what great barbecue tastes like on the other side of the pond.

Each restaurant sent their best representative: John Bates of InterStellar BBQ and Ali Clem of La Barbecue, the two pitmasters who opened the restaurants and led them to barbecue's first Michelin stars. Both are somewhat traditional with a few signature twists, making them a good match beyond their similar levels of prestige.

Proteins on the menu include pork ribs, pulled lamb shoulder, chopped cheese sausage, and InterStellar's famous peach tea pork belly burnt ends. Brisket will be available as an add-on. The team is also cooking up sides and pairing the bites with cocktails made for the occasion by Jack Daniels.

The exclusive sharing tray is available for $75 per person, with a minimum of two people per reservation ($150). A 14.5 percent service gratuity is also being added.

Many barbecue fans understand that a smoker plays a huge part in the final product, and being away from home could dramatically change the cooking process. An Instagram post explains (and seems to lightly promote) that the pitmasters are using Ironbrand smokers, which are custom-made in the United Kingdom.

The residency is happening at Electric Bar & Diner, The Ned's all-day American diner. The 248-room hotel is located in Poultry, on the north side of the River Thames near St. Paul's Cathedral. It is also very near to the Bank Station, a connecting station for four rail routes, making it easy to get to from many parts of London.

Booking is already going fast, so guests who want to snag a space should commit soon.

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