LAX Named "Most Social Airport" But Still Doesn't Have Free WiFi

Photo by Lucyrk in LA via the LAist Featured Photos pool

Travelers who check in for flights at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) are also checking in to the venue via Facebook. LAX has just been deemed the "most social airport" by social networking site Facebook, since more people "share" that they are there than at any other global airport.

Facebook "tabulated its own data, as well as third-party software, between August 2010 and last month to determine the rankings," explains CBS2.

That's actually great news for cellular data providers, since LAX remains firmly rooted in yesteryear with its lack of free wireless internet for its many national and international patrons, many of whom likely wile away hours between flights inside some of the most noisy, ugly, depressing terminals (with lousy dining choices) in the world. LAX offers wireless internet via paid access to T-Moblie's hotspot services. But, hey, congrats, LAX!

Here's the complete list of the top 25, via All Facebook:

1. Los Angeles International Airport
2. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
3. Chicago O’Hare International Airport
4. San Francisco International Airport
5. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
6. Denver International Airport
7. Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (Australia)
8. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
9. McCarran International Airport
10.Suvarnabhumi International Airport (Bangkok)
11. Philadelphia International Airport
12. Miami International Airport
13. Boston Logan International Airport
14. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (North Carolina)
15. John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York)
16. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
17. San Diego International Airport
18. Newark Liberty International Airport
19. Washington Dulles International Airport
20. Heathrow Airport (London)
21. Toronto Pearson International Airport
22. Baltimore Washington International Airport
23. Portland International Airport
24. Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport
25. Salt Lake City International Airport

Contact the author of this article or email tips@laist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Lindsay William-Ross in News on December 13, 2011 11:29 AM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

Techin5

Pretty sad in all honestly when major airports DON'T have free wi-fi. Sometimes you just want to whip out your phone and waste some time in a foreign country/airport and you have no choice but to either pony up and pay, or sit bored.

Paul

Seriously, you guys DON'T want LAX to have free wifi anyways.

As with any place, free wi-fi - especially in an extremely crowded place - is a jackpot for hackers to go there, open up a packet sniffing program, connect to the free wifi - and within seconds they get any passwords typed in and the websites people are typing it into.

It is seriously that easy, I've tested it, and you'll be amazed how many people use public wifi spot to do online banking and online purchases(which means you get CC AND CVS codes).

At LAX, it's even easier because there are so many people there - all you need is a laptop with the program running - and no one can tell what you're actually doing is stealing info as you blend in the crowd.

ShakinBoots

Thanks for telling everyone how to steal CC numbers and passwords genius. smh

TAPman

I guess that little boy in the fairytale shouldn't have told the emperor he had no clothes on too, yes?

ShakinBoots

Never had an interest in fairytales so I have no idea what you're referring to.

Paul

I didnt give enough info.

Plus this happens everyday - you can spot the person if you really pay attention.

Point being - don't use free wifi. Same with apartment complexes - some are specifically set up just as traps.

Jessica Druxman

Every time I'm at LAX (a few times a year) I have this strange hope that *this* time when I open my laptop I'll be able to have free wi-fi... but of course this never comes true. Considering EVERY other airport I travel to/through has free wi-fi, LAX really needs to get with the times.

James

I can get free wi-fi at Los Angeles Union Station, which is much better looking than LAX. I can get wi-fi on Amtrak trains.

When I visited JFK airport, JetBlue provided free wi-fi, which was slow but good enough for Crunchyroll streaming. Not bad for a discount airline.

LAX is really far behind on this.