Talk about jobs you never knew existed. Juan runs a fitness coaching academy for pilots. Why? After leaving an office job designing floor plans, he decided to leap toward something he really enjoyed doing, which is helping people get into shape. He targeted a niche group challenged by hotel gyms, terminal fast food, and flight schedules: airline pilots. Since starting his business, he’s been a frequent airport visitor and often posts his interactions with pilots on social media. Here’s one that, while unrelated to fitness, gives the rest of us some insider opinions on which airports the industry favors…and despises.

Pilots’ favorite airports include:

San Diego International

Caribbean Islands: Tortola, Anguilla

While the runways are short and “challenging,” one pilot said the location makes local airports just stunning. “It’s beautiful weather, for the most part.” 

San Francisco

Amsterdam

If you arrive in the springtime, when you descend and break out of the overcast, “All you see is tulips,” one remarked on the fields of flowers below. “Amsterdam is pretty sweet.”

Orlando

“I love Orlando,” another pilot asserts. “There’s just something about the airport…” He says it’s about the setup. “It’s got four different concourses, they’re all completely different…It’s big, it’s open, you don’t feel cramped…good food choices.” Florida’s a winner for this one.

…And one airport a commercial pilot intentionally avoids

Of all the airports out there, “On my ‘Number One Avoid’ list is ORD, Chicago O’Hare,” the Florida fan claims. “I get that as a favorite sometimes,” Juan responds. “Are you serious?” The pilot seems shocked. “I actually go out of my way to not pick up trips that go in and out of there.”