Data Reveals the Longest and Shortest US Airport Walks

To find this data, the team at KURU Footwear first measured the top 10 largest and smallest airports by land area in the US. We then analyzed airport maps and Google Maps to determine the length of the journey from each terminal to the nearest and farthest gates.

Finally, we surveyed 1,000 Americans to learn more about their air travel habits and experiences. The survey has a margin of error of +/- 4% and a confidence level of 95%.

Our survey of air passenger travel habits provides some insight into your sole-searching questions, including air travel frequency, average time walking at the airport, and which shoes travelers wear most through airport security.

• The majority (63%) of travelers arrive at the airport 1–2 hours before departure. Meanwhile, 1 in 10 (~11%) of travelers arrive 50 minutes ahead of time.
• 1 in 3 (30%) of Americans say they never fly! The next most frequent answer (27%) was “a few times a year” followed by (23%) using air travel once per year.
• The most common shoe worn to airports? For 41% of air travelers, a sneaker or casual shoe was their footwear of choice.
• The majority (55%) of air travelers say they spend 1 hour or more walking around the airport.
• Almost two-thirds (63%) of travelers said that longer walks to the gates of smaller airlines would not prevent them from flying with them.

As we dig in, let’s unpack a few tips to keep in mind for your next air travel journey:

• Plan Your Bathroom Breaks. Often the closet restrooms to a busy terminal involve equally busy wait times. However, most airports don’t go long between restrooms, so if you are able to wait an extra couple minutes, try traveling to the next restroom down. You might just save yourself a line.
• Schedule Assistance Ahead of Time. If you or a loved one would benefit from an escort between terminals or wheelchair service, call the airport before your travel day to arrange assistance. Many airports offer accessibility services, and scheduling it ahead of time will help prevent difficulties or potential shortages on travel day.
• Save Time at Security. Being prepared for a few things at security can save yourself time and hassle. Keep your tablets and computers accessible to place them in their own bin, use 3oz bottles for liquids and store them in a separate clear bag, wear socks since you’ll likely have to shed your shoes, and keep your ID and boarding pass ready.
• Follow Signs at Every Turn. At the airport, it’s all about looking up. Most airports provide signage about terminal locations and baggage claim above your head, and offer departure and arrival information on screens near busy gates. Stay alert and focused as you travel between terminals to avoid a wrong turn.
• Keep Essentials Easy to Access. Most airlines allow just two items on board, including a personal item, such as a purse or backpack. Make it easy on yourself by stowing must-have essentials—including your phone, wallet, passport, medications, water, snacks, earbuds, small blanket, and reading material—in your personal item and store the rest in an overhead compartment. It’ll save room for your feet and reduce in-flight luggage rifling.
• Wear Comfortable Shoes. It’s easy to underestimate the amount of walking you’ll do on travel day, especially when you’re focused on getting to your flight on time. But it’s common to clock in a mile or two at the airport, so supportive shoes will help your journey remain a little less painful.

We are driven to design and develop footwear that performs at the highest level while empowering you to get out and go chase your dreams. Since the launch of our direct-to-consumer model in 2008, thousands have experienced the unique style, superior support, and unimaginable comfort of KURU.

Please direct all media inquiries to pr@kurufootwear.com.