It’s popular to whine about everything that has to do with flying — especially airports. But no more whining, at least when it comes to Southern California.

My review of expert reports, travel websites and, yes, actual data found that regardless of what nattering nabobs of negativism say, we have some of the best airports in the nation.

From San Diego International Airport in the south all the way to Hollywood Burbank Airport — and you have to love that name — numerous surveys reveal that flying locally could be a whole lot worse.

Sure, traffic can be brutal at LAX. It’s easy to grump about the cost of parking at John Wayne Airport. Long Beach isn’t as cozy as it was, gulp, 25 years ago.

But be grateful you don’t live in, say, Chicago. Mind you, O’Hare International Airport gets poor grades for just about everything, from lost luggage to flight delays.

In Southern California, however, John Wayne consistently lands in the top 10 of large American airports and it’s not alone.

JWA gets high marks for such details as its baggage claim area, security and most important of all: flights that arrive on time.

Heck, even the behemoth on the block, LAX — one of the busiest airports in the world with more than 87 million passengers a year — can boast an astounding “flights canceled” record of less than 1%.

Instead of focusing on that lost piece of luggage from Timbuktu, let’s review what works.

Friendly skies

There are nearly 20,000 airports in the U.S., but only about 500 offer commercial flights.

Most, like the one I occasionally fly to in Medford, Ore., are relatively quiet, seem to close too early, open too late and offer few amenities. But I don’t fly to Medford for the ambiance. I fly to visit my parents’ cabin.

Accordingly, this little airport is perfect in its own way, just as Long Beach Airport is just fine doing what it does. If you walk the tarmac in Long Beach, suitcase in hand, you can’t help but feel like Humphrey Bogart in “Casablanca.”

Enough of small airports, though.

This column focuses on larger airports and what works best. Sorry, but that means that perfectly good airports such as Ontario International Airport in San Bernardino County will get little attention here while San Diego — strangely, one of Southern California’s best kept secrets — is celebrated.

That’s right. San Diego airport.

Those in the know who struggle matching LAX flights with their itinerary, simply switch to San Diego, an airport with easy access from the southern half of Orange County as well as parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

San Diego also just happens to be another SoCal airport rated among the top in the U.S., according to a host of publications and databases.

I like San Diego airport because its long-term parking is so close you can walk to the airport. A popular website called The Points Guy (as in mileage points) loves it for everything else.

Friendly, relatively empty and beautiful is how Points Guy sums up San Diego airport.

“It was all towering glass panels and silver metal, with funky sculptures and fountains thrown in for good measure,” Points Guy reports. He also discovered “soothing music and free ballet performances in front of the terminal’s baby grand piano,” as well as therapy dogs for waiting passengers.

Points Guy isn’t alone in his therapy dog discovery. But he may be alone in his assessment.

At LAX, therapy dogs also are available to soothe anxious souls braving thundering herds. LAX calls it — and I am not making this up — a “Pets Unstressing Passengers” program.

But, sorry, I have to wonder if we really need more therapy dogs, even trained ones. From where I stand, we already have too many passengers who bring aboard their own pooches for, uh, therapy.

Cowboy country

Here are the main things considered in assessing airports: flight delays, cancelled flights, access to the airport, check-in lines, security wait times, lounge areas, WiFi, restaurants and retail stores, baggage claim areas, public transit.

Oddly, no one seems to have power charging stations on the list, although some airports are better than others and overseas airports are ahead when it comes to offering cozy workstations for your laptop.

In the U.S., airports consistently in the top 10 include Portland, Phoenix and Atlanta. After that, travel experts vary about best airports — except when it comes to John Wayne.

So let’s take a look at JWA from the fresh eyes of a visitor.

“Designed to mirror an airplane fuselage, John Wayne Airport,” states Vacation Idea website, “features a glass-enclosed central lobby highlighted by sleek stainless steel and gorgeous natural stone.

“Large picture windows overlooking the runway and soaring vaulted ceilings simply add to the warmth and beauty of this airport.

“There are three separate terminals at the airport, all of them offer their own ticket counters, gates, security screening checkpoints, and baggage claim areas making it easy and efficient for visitors to navigate.

“During downtime, travelers can peruse the shops, relax in the departure lounges, or refuel at the food court areas. They can even immerse themselves in the arts with the rotating art exhibits running along both concourses.”

Here’s the thing: It’s all true.

(Full disclosure: I recently was honored in one of those exhibits.)

Be like Bogie

The website AirHelp evaluates airports around the world and reports that airports in Athens and Tokyo are among the best. My pick? Tokyo International Airport is indeed awesome. But Athens? Meh.

The point is that despite all the surveys, the only thing that matters is what matters to you.

My wife, for example, will go out of her way to find a Pret a Manger shop and there is no argument that their chocolate croissants are amazing.

On the other hand, the best thing about Hollywood Burbank, according to Upgraded Points, is the lounge.

But if you’re on the go, I’m told, Burbank “is the only place where you can sign for your rental car with one hand and grab your luggage off the belt with the other.”

When you’re arriving, however, other things matter — like meeting the right person at the right time and getting to say wise things like Bogart did.

“If that plane leaves the ground and you’re not with him, you’ll regret it,” said the Boge. “Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life.”