Airport Sentiment Analysis

Airports play a pivotal role in shaping the air travel experience. Each has their own unique characteristics that impact passengers, from TSA wait times to airport design and amenities. This analysis compares sentiments surrounding two contrasting airports: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG).

AUS has experienced significant growth in recent years, with expansions including new terminals, additional parking, and infrastructure improvements. These developments have increased Austin’s connectivity, with the airport now offering over 90 nonstop destinations and further expansion on the horizon.

Conversely, CVG has faced a reduction in its scope, primarily due to Delta Air Lines downsizing its hub operations over the past two decades. This led to a decrease in nonstop destinations, which dropped to just 40 at one point, though there has been some recovery in recent years. While CVG has shifted its focus towards strengthening its cargo operations, AUS continues to expand its role as a growing passenger hub.

I will answer three interesting questions using sentiment analysis of 250 reviews of each airport from Yelp to gain insight into how the travel experience varies.

What positive & negative words are used to describe each airport?

Here we can grasp an initial understanding of sentiment among travelers at each airport. A notable sentiment surrounding CVG is its perceived high costs, possibly driven by a reduction in airline options and fewer direct flight destinations. This issue does not appear to be as prominent at AUS, where the sentiment leans more toward accessibility and convenience. Both airports are frequently praised for their cleanliness and overall accessibility.

However, CVG travelers specifically highlight the efficiency of TSA and navigation, which may be a result of the airport’s smaller scale due to terminal and route reductions. In contrast, Austin’s expanding facilities and routes may contribute to different experiences, as passengers at AUS may encounter more crowded or complex navigation, though this trend is likely to shift as the airport continues its expansion efforts.

How does sentiment differ throughout the week?

Here we observe interesting differences in sentiment positivity across the days of the week for both airports. At AUS, positive sentiment is higher on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, while CVG experiences greater positivity on Sunday and Monday. Friday shows similar sentiment for both airports.

While it’s challenging to attribute these differences directly to airport business, given that reviews are not always written on the travel day itself, a key takeaway from this analysis is the unique nature of each airport’s traveler experience across the week. This suggests that the timing of review writing, either during travel or shortly after, might reflect broader patterns in traveler satisfaction.

I believe the airlines operating at each airport could play a significant role. Many budget airlines have specific days for flights, which can contribute to congestion and potentially more negative experiences on certain days. In contrast, airports with more consistent daily routes might exhibit more stable sentiment across the week. This dynamic highlights how the operational structure and scheduling of airlines can shape the traveler experience and influence sentiments on different days.

What emotions do travelers most often associate with each airport?

When examining the specific emotions reflected in traveler reviews at Austin-Bergstrom (AUS) and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), it’s interesting to note that the emotional landscape at both airports is quite similar. Both airports show high levels of anticipation, a common emotion for travelers. Interestingly, this emotion appears slightly more pronounced in reviews of CVG, possibly indicating a heightened sense of excitement among travelers departing from Ohio.

Looking at the overall emotional trend, AUS tends to slightly outperform CVG in positive emotions attached to reviews, while CVG sees a slightly higher prevalence of negative sentiments. Despite this, both airports are generally well-regarded by travelers, with most expressing satisfaction. These patterns may be influenced by factors such as airport size, the efficiency of services, and the types of passengers that each airport serves, with AUS benefiting from its growth and expanding services and CVG experiencing sentiment shaped by its evolving hub status.

Overall, both airports appear to offer a positive experience, with variations in sentiment driven by individual travel experiences and the specific dynamics of each airport.