From New York’s JFK to Amsterdam’s Schiphol, airports that offer the best odds for snagging a date—or staying terminally single.

(Encounter Restaurant)

Annie Balart was flying home to New Orleans when a fellow traveler caught her eye at the airport’s baggage claim area. “We did an equal amount of checking each other out from across the carousel,” she admits. The guy, Wes Michaels, decided that if their bags came out at the exact same time, he would work up the nerve to talk to her. Despite the long odds, the suitcases spilled onto the belt next to each other. An airport connection was born.

The airport may seem an unlikely place to find romance. After all, busy passengers are usually more concerned with making their flights than in striking up a conversation. But once storms roll in and planes get grounded—suddenly, those coffee shops, lounges, and bars lining the terminal start doubling as potential meeting spots.

A chance encounter can certainly make being in travel limbo more interesting, and according to a study conducted by Sperling’s Best Places on behalf of the men’s grooming company Axe, your likelihood of hitting it off with a fellow passenger depends on what city—and more specifically, what airport—you’re in.

By examining weather pattern data, delayed-flight statistics, and a range of amenities at 35 airports worldwide—across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East—researchers found that six of the date-friendliest airports are located right here in the U.S., while the remaining four are in Europe. Other airports like Singapore and Sydney either got their passengers airborne faster or lacked the kind of diversions Americans and Europeans have come to expect.

Some of the flirtiest terminals, like San Francisco International, are ranked higher in overall satisfaction by visitors and have more restaurants, bars, bookstores, retail shops, and club lounges per traveler than their counterparts elsewhere (SFO also boasts an aquarium and several museum exhibits). So whether you’re facing a layover or a weather delay (and historical data indicate there’s a real possibilitythat here, you will), there’s no shortage of venues to pass the time and meet someone—and, hopefully, jet off with their contact info.

Conversely, at the 10 international airports with the best weather, best on-time departure record, and fewest outlets for itinerant flirting, the only thing you may have time to pick up is your luggage. Charlotte Douglas International, for example, failed to impress with its selection of social venues, so it’s probably a good thing that rain or fog rarely keep you on the ground for long.

Of course, every airport offers travelers some chance at finding love. Take Annie Balart and Wes Michaels: two years after their luggage linkup, they cut their wedding cake. It was designed in the shape of the New Orleans airport’s baggage-claim area.

Best Airports#1. Liberty, Newark

(Vino Volo)

A whopping number of flights are delayed at Liberty (an ironic name, considering the circumstances), which means every third person you see will probably end up at one of the terminal’s 52 restaurants and bars. If you have more than a few hours to kill (or your flight’s canceled altogether), go for broke and ask your love interest to head into Manhattan for a proper date.

Best Airports#2. John F. Kennedy, New York

(John Bartelstone)

True, this may be considered one of the world’s ugliest airports, and you’ll be delayed an average of 65 minutes every time you fly—but at least JFK offers some fairly engaging ways to pass the time: there’s a beer garden, wine bar, and four spas. But for true pick-up potential, nothing beats JetBlue’s T5 terminal. This moodily lit space practically seems designed with flirting in mind.

Best Airports#3. Philadelphia

(Andre Jenny/Alamy)

If you pass through Philly, you may find more than just brotherly love. This airport has more than 160 shops and restaurants to keep passengers busy while they wait—and considering that the visibility outside is obscured 247 days of the year, waiting is pretty much the name of the game. If you do get stuck, make a beeline for the B and C terminal connector, where the bulk of the amenities are located.

Best Airports#4. Dallas/Fort Worth

(DFW)

You’ll find 14 airline clubs located across DFW’s five busy terminals, and in our humble experience, they’re often the best, most relaxed spots to strike up a casual conversation, since you’ll likely be delayed here. If you’re not already a member, nearly all clubs offer day passes that afford you access to the bar, snacks, business centers—and some pretty attractive frequent fliers.

Best Airports#5. Minneapolis/St. Paul

(Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport)

You can guess why this Midwest hub beat out so many others to hit the No. 5 spot: 85 snow days each year, 38 days with thunderstorms, and 96 with fog add up to an incredible number of delays, cancellations, and missed connections. Bizarrely, this airport boasts not one, but four gaming arcades, so challenge another stranded soul to a game of pinball or Ms. Pac Man—or opt for more grown-up entertainment at one of the terminal’s 16 bars or breweries.

Best Airports#6. San Francisco

(Alain McLaughlin/SFO Airport)

Some of us may leave our hearts in San Francisco, but sometimes, that’s because we couldn’t get out of the airport. Since so many flights are delayed, passengers can take advantage of incredible extras such as museum galleries, spas, reading rooms, and even spiritual reflection and meditation areas. Summoning up one’s inner calm may be a good idea for asking someone out—and it also can be helpfullater if you’re asked to rebook your flight.

Best Airports#7. Charles de Gaulle, Paris

(Charles De Gualle Airport)

If you want to find l’amour overseas, this Parisian gateway may provide your best opportunity. Charles de Gaulle may be one of the world’s ugliest, but nearly a quarter of all flights are delayed due to poor visibility, so while you’re waiting, grab a glass of Bordeaux (and try out your best French pick-up lines) at one of the wine bars located throughout the three terminals. You and your new sweetie may need the drink: this airport cancels nearly 4 percent of its outgoing flights.

Best Airports#8. O’Hare, Chicago

(AirportBars.com)

O’Hare is the world’s second busiest airport (after Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta), so you’ll have ample opportunity to people-watch as you wait. And wait. And wait. One out of seven flights is delayed 45 minutes or more, and low visibility nearly the whole year-round means you’re probably not getting up in the air anytime soon. Commiserate with a fellow passenger over a pint of suds—there are breweries and pubs aplenty at ORD.

Best Airports#9. London Heathrow Airport

(Phil Szomszor)

Sure, Britain’s notoriously dreary weather may help keep planes and passengers grounded, but that’s not the only reason this hub hit the top 10. Heathrow rated the second highest among European airports for amenities. Despite it being one of the world’s ugliest airports, you’ll find restaurants with runway views, top-of-the-line shopping, and ultramodern club lounges.

Best Airports#10. Rome Fiumicino Airport

(Richard Broadwell/Alamy)

By far, no major airport in the world cancels more flights than this one—and those flights that eventually take off are delayed more than one-third of the time. At least you can browse through some unique Italian fashion boutiques while you’re stranded. Even if you don’t score any bargains on Armani and Gucci, you could pick up something—or someone—you like even better.

To see the 10 worst airports to find a date, visit Travel + Leisure.com.