Our Review of Palm Beach Airport (PBI)

Table of contents: Our Review of Palm Beach Airport (PBI) Pros and Cons of Palm Beach Airport (PBI) Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide) How we calculate On Time Performance Some Stats

Our Review of Palm Beach Airport (PBI)

All the information featured on this page was compiled and written by David Enrich, a renowned expert in aviation and airport guides, since 1999.

At Plan Your Trips, we have analyzed hundreds of airports around the world, gaining a clear understanding of what users expect when visiting an airport. With this know-how, we have created this guide, placing passengers at the forefront of everything, aiming to simplify and enhance the airport experience.

In this Guide, our goal is to present information in a manner that is both quick and reliable. Recognizing that passengers often have limited time and may be in a hurry, we strive to ensure that they do not waste time unnecessarily.

Another key focus of our guide is to highlight the strengths of the airport and also the weaknesses, and in some cases, offer recommendations to travelers. In alignment with this approach, we provide users with aggregated information on delays and on-time performance, analyzing both airlines and individual flights.

Summary of Reviews for Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)

Strengths:

Convenience and Accessibility: PBI is praised for its small size, making it easy to navigate compared to larger airports like Fort Lauderdale (FLL) or Miami (MIA). It offers short TSA wait times, affordable parking, and is conveniently located near major highways
Cleanliness and Comfort: Many travelers highlight the airport’s cleanliness, comfortable seating, and modern amenities. Features like free Wi-Fi, charging stations, and clear signage enhance the overall experience
Recognition and Awards: PBI has consistently ranked among the top U.S. airports in prestigious awards like Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice and Travel + Leisure’s Best Domestic Airports. It is noted for its customer service and efficient operations
Family-Friendly Features: Amenities such as a sensory room for travelers with autism, expanded restrooms, and a nursing suite are appreciated by families

Weaknesses:

Limited Dining and Shopping Options: Several reviews mention that dining and shopping choices are limited, especially beyond security. Late-night travelers often find most facilities closed
Ongoing Renovations: While expansions and upgrades are underway, some travelers report inconvenience due to construction work
Rental Car Access: The rental car center is off-site and requires a shuttle bus, which some passengers find inconvenient
Late-Night Operations: The airport can feel desolate at night, with limited services available during late hours

Notable Features:

PBI offers unique amenities such as a mini-golf course inside the terminal.
It boasts one of the shortest TSA screening times in the U.S., making it ideal for stress-free travel.

Suggested Airport Rating

Based on the reviews and awards, Palm Beach International Airport deserves a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Justification:

The airport excels in convenience, cleanliness, and customer service, making it a favorite for many travelers.
However, the limited dining/shopping options and ongoing renovations slightly detract from the overall experience.
Its recognition as one of the best airports in the U.S. further supports this high rating.

Pros and Cons of Palm Beach Airport (PBI)

5 Pros

Convenience and Accessibility: PBI is strategically located near West Palm Beach and Palm Beach, making it easily accessible for travelers heading to South Florida destinations
Streamlined Security: The airport is known for its efficient security processes, allowing passengers to move quickly from arrival to departure gates
Exclusive Amenities: PBI offers unique features such as a mini-golf course, lactation suites, pet parks, a spa, and a business lounge for enhanced traveler comfort
Versatile Runway Capabilities: With three asphalt runways, PBI accommodates a wide range of aircraft, from small jets to large VIP airliners, ensuring flexibility for all types of flights
Private Jet Services: The airport hosts three elite Fixed-Base Operators (FBOs)—Jet Aviation, Atlantic Aviation, and Signature Flight Support—providing tailored luxury services for private jet travelers

5 Cons

Limited International Flights: PBI primarily serves domestic routes and offers limited international destinations compared to larger airports like Miami International
No Direct Rail Connection: The airport lacks direct rail access, requiring passengers to use shuttle buses to reach nearby train stations like Tri-Rail or Amtrak
High Parking Costs: Short-term parking at the airport can be expensive compared to other regional airports
No Luggage Storage Facilities: PBI does not provide lockers or luggage storage options, which can be inconvenient for travelers with extended layovers or day trips
Smoking Restrictions: Smoking is prohibited inside the terminal, which might inconvenience smokers during long waits or layovers

Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide)

Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) is located in West Palm Beach, Florida, serving as the primary gateway for Palm Beach County and surrounding areas. Known for its convenience and efficiency, PBI handles over 6.5 million passengers annually and offers approximately 200 daily flights to domestic and international destinations.

Terminal Overview

PBI features a single terminal divided into three concourses:

Concourse A: Ground-level gates primarily used by Bahamasair for regional flights.
Concourse B: Serves airlines like American Airlines, Southwest, and United, with 13 gates.
Concourse C: Hosts Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, and Spirit Airlines, with 15 gates.

The terminal provides modern amenities, including dining options, retail stores, VIP lounges (Delta Sky Club and Escape Lounge), and free Wi-Fi throughout.

Runways

The airport has three asphalt runways:

10L/28R: 10,001 ft, accommodating large aircraft.
10R/28L: 3,214 ft, used for smaller planes.
14/32: 6,931 ft for medium-sized aircraft.

Transportation Options

Getting to and from PBI is simple:

Taxis: Available 24/7; fares to downtown West Palm Beach start at $20.
Rideshare: Uber and Lyft pickups are located on Level Three.
Public Transit: Palm Tran buses and free Tri-Rail shuttles connect the airport to nearby train stations.
Car Rentals: Multiple companies operate on-site for travelers seeking independence.

Popular Destinations

Top domestic routes include Atlanta, Newark, New York (JFK & LaGuardia), Boston, Charlotte, and Philadelphia. Major airlines like Delta, JetBlue, and American Airlines service these destinations.

Palm Beach International Airport combines convenience with excellent amenities, making it a preferred choice for travelers in South Florida.

How we calculate On Time Performance

On various pages of our website, you will encounter a metric widely utilized in aviation and other forms of transportation known as OTP (On Time Performance). We believe that providing this metric assists passengers in planning their trips and exploring alternatives before purchasing their flight tickets.

We calculate the On Time Performance for all flights and airlines, when we have enough data to do so. In certain instances, it may not be feasible to accurately compute the On-Time Performance for a specific flight or airline due to inadequate or non-representative data, which could result in misleading conclusions.

Our calculation of On Time Performance and delay information solely relies on arrival times. This approach is chosen over calculating departure delays, as we consider arrival punctuality to be of primary concern to passengers.

The On Time Performance displayed on our website is calculated as follows:

On Time: Flights that arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time, or earlier. In the absence of data for a specific flight, we assume the flight arrives on time, to avoid penalizing airlines for data unavailability.
Moderate Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 15 to 30 minutes.
Significant Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 30 to 60 minutes.
Major Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay exceeding 60 minutes.
Average Delay: The average delay is calculated by considering flights that arrive early as having a delay of 0 minutes. Early arrivals do not contribute to reducing the average delay calculation