US airports achieved record-high passenger satisfaction in 2026, according to the latest J.D. Power North America Airport Satisfaction Study. The annual survey, based on 24,710 responses from travelers in the US and Canada, found that overall satisfaction scores rose significantly despite near-record passenger volumes.
The study evaluated 20 major US airports across three size categories—medium, large, and mega—ranking them based on seven core factors: ease of travel, trust in the airport, terminal facilities, staff performance, departure experience, food and retail options, and arrival experience. The segment average score improved to 617 on a 1,000-point scale, up from previous years.
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport ranked first for the third consecutive year, credited to a $242 million terminal renovation completed in December 2025. The upgrades included refreshed gate areas, seating, flooring, lighting, and signage. The study noted that airports with recent or ongoing capital improvement projects saw the highest satisfaction gains, with mega airports improving by 14 points overall.
J.D. Power attributed the rise in satisfaction to airport renovations and modernized facilities, despite the challenges of handling record travel volumes. The report also found that more satisfied passengers tend to spend more money in airports, suggesting a direct link between experience and revenue.
The survey methodology excluded Canadian airports this year due to changes in sampling, though Canadian travelers were still included in the data collection. The study’s managing director, Mike Taylor, emphasized that travelers are increasingly happy with the improvements they see in airports nationwide.
Key Findings:
- Top 5 airports in 2026: Minneapolis-St. Paul (1st), Detroit Metropolitan (2nd), Indianapolis (3rd), Orlando (4th), and Tampa (5th).
- Mega airports (33M+ annual passengers) saw the largest satisfaction increases, driven by terminal upgrades.
- Passenger spending correlated with higher satisfaction scores, with "perfect" ratings leading to increased retail and dining expenditures.