The short answer
Denver (DEN) is the best airport in this set for sleeping overnight, at 7.2 out of 10. It is the only airport rated Good for sleeping, thanks to its free 24-hour Rest and Recharge Area with recliners.
Atlanta (ATL) and San Francisco (SFO) tie for second at 6.4. Las Vegas (LAS) is the lowest at 3.6, mostly because slot machines chime all night and almost every seat has armrests.
These scores rate free terminal sleeping, not hotels. A low score means you should book a room. Every factor score below comes from a published source, listed with its date.
The rankings
Scores researched November 2026. Full rubric below.
| Rank | Airport | Sleep Score | Verdict | Best free spot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denver (DEN) | 7.2 | Good for sleeping | Concourse A Rest and Recharge Area |
| 2 | Atlanta (ATL) | 6.4 | Tolerable | Concourse F couches and mezzanine |
| 2 | San Francisco (SFO) | 6.4 | Tolerable | International Terminal padded benches |
| 4 | Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) | 5.9 | Tolerable | D Gates D21-D26 |
| 5 | Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) | 5.8 | Tolerable | Terminal A Gates A11-A13 |
| 6 | Phoenix (PHX) | 5.6 | Tolerable | Terminal 3 F Gates |
| 7 | Miami (MIA) | 5.2 | Tolerable | Satellite Gates E20-E33 |
| 8 | Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 5.1 | Tolerable | Terminal 3 Gates K1 and H1 |
| 9 | Washington Dulles (IAD) | 4.9 | Challenging | Concourse A low-numbered gates |
| 10 | London Heathrow (LHR) | 4.7 | Challenging | Terminal 5 Quiet Area (daytime) |
| 11 | Newark (EWR) | 4.5 | Challenging | Terminal A Gates A20-A28 |
| 12 | New York JFK (JFK) | 4.4 | Challenging | Terminal 4 Concourse B gates |
| 13 | Boston Logan (BOS) | 4.2 | Challenging | Terminal C Gates C23-C25 |
| 14 | Charlotte (CLT) | 4.0 | Challenging | Gates C12-C14 (armrests) |
| 14 | Los Angeles (LAX) | 4.0 | Challenging | Terminal B couches |
| 16 | Las Vegas (LAS) | 3.6 | Challenging | Terminal 1 hallway by the post office |
How the Sleep Score works
Each airport is scored on six factors, from 0 to 10. The total is a weighted average, rounded to one decimal place.
Seating counts most, at 25 percent, because you cannot sleep without somewhere to lie down. Noise and 24-hour areas count 20 percent each. Quiet zones count 15 percent. Security re-entry and overnight amenities count 10 percent each.
If a factor cannot be verified for an airport, it is left unscored and the weights of the scored factors are scaled up to add to 100 percent. No score is ever guessed. In this edition, all 96 factor scores (16 airports times 6 factors) were verifiable from published sources, so no factor is unscored.
Verdict bands: 7.0 and above is Good for sleeping. 5.0 to 6.9 is Tolerable. 3.5 to 4.9 is Challenging. Below 3.5 is Rough.
The rubric
Use this table to reproduce any score. Each factor is judged only on what published sources report.
| Factor (weight) | 9-10 | 7-8 | 5-6 | 3-4 | 0-2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seating (25%) | Recliners, flat beds, or abundant armrest-free padded seating across terminals | Armrest-free benches or couches in several areas | Scattered armrest-free seating in one or two spots, most seating has armrests | Rare armrest-free seating, most sleepers use the floor | Essentially no lie-flat seating, armrests everywhere |
| Noise (20%) | Consistently reported quiet overnight | Generally quiet, occasional announcements | Moderate, announcements or cleaning in parts of the airport | Loud music, announcements, or cleaning widely reported | Constant loud noise all night, such as slot machines or loud music |
| 24-hour areas (20%) | Terminal open 24 hours and airside stays open for sleepers overnight | Open 24 hours, airside generally accessible overnight with minor limits | Open 24 hours landside, but airside access limited or uncertain overnight | Airside closes overnight, landside only with restrictions | Terminal effectively closes overnight, or overnight stays are not permitted |
| Quiet zones (15%) | Official dedicated quiet or rest zone, open 24 hours | Official quiet area or rest zone, with limited hours or daytime use | Informal quieter areas widely reported, but no designated zone | A few quiet corners only | No quiet zone and no quieter area reported |
| Security re-entry (10%) | At least one checkpoint open 24 hours in each terminal | At least one checkpoint open 24 hours airport-wide | Checkpoints close but reopen early, around 3:30 to 4:30 AM, or one terminal stays open | All checkpoints close overnight, with a long closure window | Cannot re-enter overnight, or must leave the airport |
| Overnight amenities (10%) | 24-hour food plus paid sleep rooms or showers | 24-hour paid sleep rooms with showers, or 24-hour food plus showers | One 24-hour food outlet, or paid sleep rooms only | Vending only, no 24-hour food, no sleep rooms | Nothing open overnight |
Paid options (Minute Suites, nap rooms, lounges) count only inside the amenities factor. They never raise the seating score, which rates free seating only.
Airport by airport
1. Denver (DEN), 7.2, Good for sleeping
| Factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Seating | 9/10 |
| Noise | 4/10 |
| 24-hour areas | 8/10 |
| Quiet zones | 9/10 |
| Security re-entry | 5/10 |
| Overnight amenities | 7/10 |
Best spot: Concourse A Rest and Recharge Area on the mezzanine level. Arrive before 10 PM, it fills early.
Watch out: The best spots fill before midnight, so claim a recliner early and bring earplugs for the music. A June 2026 traveller reported very loud music all night.
Sources: Sleeping in Airports, Sleeping in Denver Airport (Oct 2026); AirportsData DEN (Sep 25, 2026).
2. Atlanta (ATL), 6.4, Tolerable
| Factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Seating | 7/10 |
| Noise | 4/10 |
| 24-hour areas | 8/10 |
| Quiet zones | 5/10 |
| Security re-entry | 7/10 |
| Overnight amenities | 8/10 |
Best spot: Concourse F couches and mezzanine sofas, the airport’s most sleep-friendly area.
Watch out: Most checkpoints close overnight, so stay airside once you are through security. Only the Domestic Terminal Main checkpoint runs 24 hours.
Sources: Sleeping in Airports, Sleeping in Atlanta Airport (Nov 2026); AirportsData ATL (Oct 16, 2026).
2. San Francisco (SFO), 6.4, Tolerable
| Factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Seating | 8/10 |
| Noise | 5/10 |
| 24-hour areas | 8/10 |
| Quiet zones | 4/10 |
| Security re-entry | 5/10 |
| Overnight amenities | 7/10 |
Best spot: International Terminal padded benches, landside and airside. Terminal 1 near Gate B10 has long cushioned benches without armrests.
Watch out: The terminals run cold overnight. Bring warm layers even if you only plan a short nap.
Sources: Sleeping in Airports, Sleeping in San Francisco Airport (Oct 2026) and SFO Airport Guide (Nov 2026); LayoverIndex SFO (May 9, 2026).
4. Seattle-Tacoma (SEA), 5.9, Tolerable
| Factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Seating | 6/10 |
| Noise | 3/10 |
| 24-hour areas | 8/10 |
| Quiet zones | 6/10 |
| Security re-entry | 7/10 |
| Overnight amenities | 6/10 |
Best spot: D Gates D21-D26 are the most consistently reported overnight area. North Satellite gates N11 and N16 are the quietest corners.
Watch out: Sources disagree on whether Checkpoint 4 stays open all night, so clear security early and stay airside. See Conflicts and gaps below.
Sources: Sleeping in Airports, Sleeping in Seattle Airport (Oct 2026); LayoverIndex SEA sleeping guide (Apr 23, 2026); AirportsData SEA (Oct 7, 2026).
5. Dallas Fort Worth (DFW), 5.8, Tolerable
| Factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Seating | 5/10 |
| Noise | 4/10 |
| 24-hour areas | 8/10 |
| Quiet zones | 5/10 |
| Security re-entry | 8/10 |
| Overnight amenities | 6/10 |
Best spot: Terminal A between Gates A11-A13 has padded benches. Terminal B between Gates B28-B29 has lounge-style chairs.
Watch out: The Terminal D sofas reported in older guides are gone as of October 2026, so do not cross the airport for them.
Sources: Sleeping in Airports, Sleeping in Dallas-Fort Worth Airport (Oct 2026); TravelMagma airport sleeping pods (Oct 2026).
6. Phoenix (PHX), 5.6, Tolerable
| Factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Seating | 5/10 |
| Noise | 4/10 |
| 24-hour areas | 8/10 |
| Quiet zones | 3/10 |
| Security re-entry | 9/10 |
| Overnight amenities | 6/10 |
Best spot: Terminal 3 F Gates have movable cushioned chairs that can be pushed together. Terminal 4 D Gates D10-D18 have hard wooden slat seating without armrests.
Watch out: Announcements are very loud, though they pause late at night. Bring earplugs and warm layers.
Sources: Sleeping in Airports, Sleeping in Phoenix Airport (Oct 2026); AirportsData PHX (Sep 25, 2026).
7. Miami (MIA), 5.2, Tolerable
| Factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Seating | 4/10 |
| Noise | 4/10 |
| 24-hour areas | 7/10 |
| Quiet zones | 4/10 |
| Security re-entry | 7/10 |
| Overnight amenities | 7/10 |
Best spot: Satellite Gates E20-E33 have large armrest-free benches and few announcements. Above Gate D15 is a carpeted area for floor sleeping.
Watch out: Most food outlets close by 10 PM, so buy snacks and water before settling in.
Sources: Sleeping in Airports, Sleeping in Miami Airport (Oct 2026); AirportsData MIA (Sep 25, 2026); Trip.com MIA sleeping guide (Oct 20, 2026).
8. Chicago O’Hare (ORD), 5.1, Tolerable
| Factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Seating | 5/10 |
| Noise | 4/10 |
| 24-hour areas | 7/10 |
| Quiet zones | 3/10 |
| Security re-entry | 6/10 |
| Overnight amenities | 6/10 |
Best spot: Terminal 3 near Gates K1 and H1 has daybed-style reclining chairs. Terminal 5 has circular sofas just inside security.
Watch out: Only Terminal 5 keeps a checkpoint open all night. In Terminals 1 to 3, clear security before it closes.
Sources: Sleeping in Airports, Chicago O’Hare Airport Guide (Apr 9, 2026); AirportsData ORD (accessed Nov 12, 2026); LayoverIndex ORD (Apr 25, 2026).
9. Washington Dulles (IAD), 4.9, Challenging
| Factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Seating | 5/10 |
| Noise | 4/10 |
| 24-hour areas | 7/10 |
| Quiet zones | 3/10 |
| Security re-entry | 6/10 |
| Overnight amenities | 4/10 |
Best spot: Concourse A low-numbered gates have armrest-free seat groups. Concourse C near Gate C20 and Concourse D are the calm corners.
Watch out: Sources disagree on whether any checkpoint stays open all night, so clear security early and stay airside. See Conflicts and gaps below.
Sources: Sleeping in Airports, Sleeping in Washington Dulles Airport (Oct 2026) and IAD Airport Guide (Nov 2026); LayoverIndex IAD (Apr 16, 2026); AirportsData IAD (Oct 7, 2026).
10. London Heathrow (LHR), 4.7, Challenging
| Factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Seating | 6/10 |
| Noise | 5/10 |
| 24-hour areas | 2/10 |
| Quiet zones | 7/10 |
| Security re-entry | 1/10 |
| Overnight amenities | 6/10 |
Best spot: Terminal 5 Quiet Area near Gates A11-A13 has 30 to 40 recliners. For an overnight stay, plan a hotel, not a bench.
Watch out: Heathrow advised in July 2026 that overnight passengers must leave the secure area and stay in a hotel. The seating and quiet zone scores reflect daytime conditions. Overnight, this airport is effectively a hotel airport.
Sources: Sleeping in Airports, Sleeping in London Heathrow Airport (Oct 2026); LayoverIndex LHR sleeping guide (May 21, 2026); LushNomad sleeping in airports (Sep 2026).
11. Newark (EWR), 4.5, Challenging
| Factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Seating | 5/10 |
| Noise | 4/10 |
| 24-hour areas | 5/10 |
| Quiet zones | 3/10 |
| Security re-entry | 4/10 |
| Overnight amenities | 6/10 |
Best spot: Terminal A around Gates A20-A28 has armrest-free seating. Terminal B has couches.
Watch out: Overnight access is unpredictable. In August 2026, police asked people lying down to sit up in Terminal A.
Sources: Sleeping in Airports, Sleeping in Newark Airport (Oct 2026) and Newark Airport Guide (Nov 2026); AirportsData EWR (Oct 2, 2026).
12. New York JFK (JFK), 4.4, Challenging
| Factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Seating | 4/10 |
| Noise | 3/10 |
| 24-hour areas | 6/10 |
| Quiet zones | 3/10 |
| Security re-entry | 4/10 |
| Overnight amenities | 7/10 |
Best spot: Terminal 4 Concourse B gates have the longest armrest-free stretches. Minute Suites near Gate B39 rents private rooms around the clock.
Watch out: Terminal 8 entry is restricted from 11:30 PM to 3:00 AM during redevelopment.
Sources: Sleeping in Airports, Sleeping in JFK Airport (Oct 2026); New York Airport Hotel JFK sleeping guide (Sep 2026); HotelsByDay JFK guide (Oct 2026).
13. Boston Logan (BOS), 4.2, Challenging
| Factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Seating | 5/10 |
| Noise | 3/10 |
| 24-hour areas | 5/10 |
| Quiet zones | 3/10 |
| Security re-entry | 4/10 |
| Overnight amenities | 5/10 |
Best spot: Terminal C near Gates C23-C25, where padded chairs can be pushed together. Terminal E has curved sofas near the gate junction.
Watch out: Staff may move you from the gate areas to the public side overnight, so have a backup plan.
Sources: Sleeping in Airports, Sleeping in Boston Logan (Oct 2026) and BOS Airport Guide (Nov 2026); LayoverIndex BOS (May 15, 2026); AirportsData BOS (Oct 1, 2026).
14. Charlotte (CLT), 4.0, Challenging
| Factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Seating | 3/10 |
| Noise | 3/10 |
| 24-hour areas | 6/10 |
| Quiet zones | 3/10 |
| Security re-entry | 4/10 |
| Overnight amenities | 6/10 |
Best spot: Gates C12-C14 have padded chairs with power, but they have armrests. For real sleep, book a Minute Suite in the Atrium or D/E Connector.
Watch out: Expect the floor unless you book a Minute Suite. Bring a sleeping pad and earplugs.
Sources: Sleeping in Airports, Charlotte Airport Guide (Nov 2026); AirportsData CLT (Oct 4, 2026); TravelMagma airport sleeping pods (Oct 2026).
14. Los Angeles (LAX), 4.0, Challenging
| Factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Seating | 4/10 |
| Noise | 3/10 |
| 24-hour areas | 6/10 |
| Quiet zones | 3/10 |
| Security re-entry | 4/10 |
| Overnight amenities | 3/10 |
Best spot: Terminal B couches near The Macallan and the Great Hall. Armrest-free benches sit near Gate 148.
Watch out: Checkpoint hours vary by terminal, and Terminal 5 is closed for construction until 2028.
Sources: Sleeping in Airports, Sleeping in Los Angeles Airport (Oct 2026) and LAX Airport Guide (Nov 2026); HotelsByDay LAX guide (Oct 2026).
16. Las Vegas (LAS), 3.6, Challenging
| Factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Seating | 3/10 |
| Noise | 1/10 |
| 24-hour areas | 7/10 |
| Quiet zones | 3/10 |
| Security re-entry | 5/10 |
| Overnight amenities | 3/10 |
Best spot: Terminal 1, the hallway beside the post office on floor 2, is quiet and carpeted for floor sleeping. Concourse D perimeter gates are quieter.
Watch out: Slot machines chime all night. Earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones are essential.
Sources: Sleeping in Airports, Las Vegas Airport Guide (Nov 2026); AirportsData LAS (Oct 2, 2026); HotelsByDay LAS guide (Oct 2026).
What the scores do not measure
The Sleep Score rates free terminal sleeping only. It does not rate hotels, lounges, safety, or cleanliness beyond what traveller reports mention.
It also does not rate daytime naps the same as overnight stays. Heathrow is the clearest case. Its seating and quiet zone are good by day, but overnight passengers are currently told to leave the airport, so its 24-hour areas and re-entry scores are very low.
Airport conditions change. Seating layouts, checkpoint hours, and food hours all shift with construction and flight schedules. Check the airport’s own pages before you travel.
Conflicts and gaps
Four source conflicts are flagged below. None of them changes a verdict band, but each needs a check before the next update.
Washington Dulles security. Sleeping in Airports (Oct 2026) reports 24-hour screening at designated lanes. LayoverIndex (Apr 2026) and AirportsData (Oct 7, 2026) report checkpoints closing around 10 PM to 11 PM and reopening around 4 AM. Re-entry is scored 6, mid-range, until this is verified.
Seattle security. Sleeping in Airports (Oct 2026) reports Checkpoint 4 open 24 hours. LayoverIndex (Apr and May 2026) and AirportsData (Oct 7, 2026) report checkpoints closing in the evening and reopening around 4 AM. Re-entry is scored 7 on the 24-hour checkpoint claim, flagged for verification.
Las Vegas ZEROLevel sleep rooms. HotelsByDay (Oct 2026) reports the only on-site sleep facility closed in March 2025. AirportsData (Oct 2, 2026) still lists ZEROLevel showers. Amenities is scored 3 on vending-only food and no confirmed sleep rooms.
Heathrow YOTELAIR Terminal 4. LayoverIndex (May 2026) reports it closed in 2024 and not reopened. One October 2026 source still lists it as operating. The amenities score does not rely on it.
Charlotte rest zones. The Sleeping in Airports CLT guide mentions designated rest zones but gives no locations. The quiet zones score of 3 rests on the rocking chairs and the 24-hour chapel only.
Dallas 24-hour restaurants. DFW has announced 24-hour restaurants, including Raising Cane’s in Terminal B and Chick-fil-A in Terminal A, but their current opening status is unconfirmed. The amenities score of 6 does not count them.
FAQ
Which airport is best for sleeping overnight?
Denver (DEN), at 7.2 out of 10. Its free Concourse A Rest and Recharge Area has recliners, privacy partitions, and power outlets, and it is open 24 hours. Atlanta (ATL) and San Francisco (SFO) tie for second at 6.4.
Can I sleep airside overnight at Heathrow?
Do not plan on it. Heathrow Customer Service advised in July 2026 that overnight passengers must leave the secure area, pass through UK Border Control where applicable, and stay in a nearby hotel. If leaving the airport would require a UK ETA or visa, check entry requirements before you travel.
Do any of these airports have free recliners?
Yes. Denver has recliners in its Concourse A Rest and Recharge Area. Heathrow Terminal 5 has about 30 to 40 reclining seats in its Quiet Area, though overnight airside access is restricted. Chicago O’Hare Terminal 3 has daybed-style reclining chairs near Gates K1 and H1.
Where can I pay for a private room inside the terminal?
Minute Suites operates at ATL, CLT, DEN, DFW, EWR, and JFK, typically $65 for the first hour with an overnight rate. Miami has Wait N Rest sleep rooms near Gate D15. San Francisco has Freshen Up nap rooms in the International Terminal. Heathrow Terminal 3 has the Aerotel, with rooms in 6, 9, and 12 hour blocks.
Sources
All sources read November 12, 2026.
- Sleeping in Airports sleep guides and airport guides for all 16 airports, sleepinginairports.net, updated Sep to Nov 2026. Individual URLs are listed in our research notes.
- AirportsData overnight stay guides for ATL (Oct 16, 2026), BOS (Oct 1, 2026), CLT (Oct 4, 2026), DEN (Sep 25, 2026), DFW (Oct 5, 2026), EWR (Oct 2, 2026), IAD (Oct 7, 2026), JFK (Oct 4, 2026), LAS (Oct 2, 2026), MIA (Sep 25, 2026), PHX (Sep 25, 2026), SEA (Oct 7, 2026), SFO (Sep 25, 2026), and LAX and ORD (accessed Nov 12, 2026), airportsdata.net.
- LayoverIndex guides: BOS (May 15, 2026), ORD (Apr 25, 2026), SFO (May 9, 2026), IAD (Apr 16, 2026) and IAD layover (May 27, 2026), LHR sleeping (May 21, 2026), SEA sleeping (Apr 23, 2026) and SEA (May 18, 2026), layoverindex.com.
- TravelMagma, Airport Sleeping Pods, operator booking systems read Oct 10 to 15, 2026, travelmagma.com/tools/airport-sleeping-pods/.
- HotelsByDay layover guides for JFK, LAS, LAX, and SFO (Oct 2026), hotelsbyday.com.
- LushNomad, Can You Sleep in an Airport, compiled Sep 2026, lushnomad.com/travel-planning/sleeping-in-airports-overnight-layover/.
- New York Airport Hotel, Sleeping in JFK Airport, checked Sep 2026, newyorkairporthotel.com/sleeping-in-jfk-airport/.
- MiamiAirportMIA-info, Miami Airport Sleeping Pods, updated Sep 16, 2026, miamiairportmia-info.com/blog/miami-airport-sleeping-pods.
- Trip.com, Sleeping in Miami Airport Layover Guide, Oct 20, 2026, us.trip.com/guide/info/sleeping-miami-airport.html.
- BookingMentor, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, updated Oct 10, 2026, bookingmentor.com/hartsfield-jackson-atlanta-international-airport.
- O’Hare Airport sleep pods guide, accessed Nov 12, 2026, ohareairport-ord.com/sleep-pods.
- Airport.Online, Harry Reid International Airport Overnight and Sleeping Guide, accessed Nov 12, 2026, airport.online/las-vegas-airport/en/airport-sleeping-guide.
- Travel-Code airport guides for ORD (Jun 4, 2025), EWR (Apr 9, 2025), and SEA (Apr 8, 2025), travel-code.com.