Rotten WiFi, the U.K.-based website that calls itself the public Wi-Fi and 3G/4G watchdog, is out with a new report on wireless Internet speeds at the world’s airports. Seven U.S. airports made the top 20 based on download speeds and customer satisfaction. Topping the list of 226 airports surveyed was the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, Ark., with average download speeds of 42.17 Mbps and an overall user satisfaction rating of 8.33 out of 10. The Little Rock–based airport provides unlimited, commercial-free access to Wi-Fi for around two million passengers a year.
While American airports scored well overall, Wi-Fi is improving in destinations across Asia. Thailand boasts six airports in the top 20, and Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore are all represented. European airports are currently being left behind on this trend with only two Eastern European destinations in the top 20, and none of the major European cities represented.
Here are the top seven U.S. airports for working online (while streaming a movie):
Bill and Hillary National Airport, Little Rock, Ark.
Average upload speed 42.17 Mbps; user satisfaction 8.33/10
Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Average upload speed 33.53 Mbps; user satisfaction 9/10
Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston, Texas
Average upload speed 32.22 Mbps; user satisfaction 6.5/10
Tampa International Airport, Tampa, Fla.
Average upload speed 26.08 Mbps; user satisfaction 6/10
Page Field, Fort Myers, Fla.
Average upload speed 21.77 Mbps; user satisfaction 6/10
Tulsa International Airport, Tulsa, Okla.
Average upload speed 20.07 Mbps; user satisfaction 7/10
John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, N.Y.
Average upload speed 17.50 Mbps; user satisfaction 6/10
Sadly there is no correlation between the soaring download speeds and airline on-time performance, but at least travelers can download a movie while they wait.
