Surprising Results: This Is the Top Airport in North America According to Thousands of Travelers

Air travel is reaching new heights, with July 7, 2024, marking the busiest day in U.S. history as over 3 million travelers went through TSA checkpoints. What does this mean for the flying experience? A recent J.D. Power study shows that even with record passenger numbers and rising costs for airport amenities, overall satisfaction among air travelers remains high.

The survey, conducted with 26,290 travelers from the U.S. and Canada between August 2023 and July 2024, revealed that 60 percent of North American flyers enjoy their time at airports, while 59 percent feel their airport helps alleviate travel stress. Hard to believe?

In the 2024 study, airports were evaluated based on various factors, ranked by importance: ease of navigation, trustworthiness, terminal amenities, staff quality, departure experience, food and retail options, and arrival experience.

Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport is ranked as the best airport in North America

From these critical factors, one airport emerged as the leader: Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (MSP), achieving an impressive score of 671 out of 1,000.

Minneapolis was not only named the happiest city in the United States this year, but its international airport is also performing exceptionally well. In 2023, MSP welcomed 34.7 million travelers, and this year, passenger numbers are up by 8 percent. Terminal 1 underwent a complete renovation in collaboration with Delta Air Lines, which introduced a stunning new Sky Club among other upgrades. These improvements are part of a $242 million airport modernization program (AMP) set to enhance six of the terminal's seven concourses (A, B, C, D, F, and G) by next year.

What travelers appreciate and dislike about airports in North America

Passenger counts are not the only aspect on the rise at U.S. and Canadian airports; prices for food, beverages, and services have also reached new highs. The airport satisfaction study indicates that travelers may be nearing their limits on spending.

“We are witnessing a tipping point in consumer spending, with average spending per person in terminals significantly decreasing compared to last year,” said Michael Taylor, managing director of travel, hospitality, and retail at J.D. Power, which has conducted this study for nearly two decades.

Another major issue is overcrowding. The report reveals that the average overall satisfaction score for airport terminals drops to 429 (on a 1,000-point scale) when deemed “severely crowded.” Fortunately, only 5 percent of passengers reported experiencing severely crowded conditions in 2024.

Overall, “air travel demand remains strong in North America, even as flight, ground travel, hotel, and airport prices continue to rise,” Taylor noted, adding, “The majority of travelers are still having a positive experience.”

The 30 top airports in North America

How are airports achieving success? The highest-rated airports in the J.D. Power rankings emphasize design elements, shops, and dining options that reflect the local culture. Impressively, 70 percent of travelers feel their airport offers an authentic sense of place.

Here is the complete list of the top airports in North America, according to the J.D. Power 2024 North America Airport Satisfaction Study. Airports in this study were categorized into three sizes: mega (33 million+ passengers annually), large (10 million to 32.9 million passengers), and medium (4.5 million to 9.9 million passengers).

The leading mega airports in North America

Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (671 points)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (643 points)
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (633 points)
John F. Kennedy International Airport (628 points)
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (623 points)
Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas (611 points)
San Francisco International Airport (611 points)
Orlando International Airport (596 points)
Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (593 points)
Boston Logan International Airport (591 points)

The lowest-ranked mega airports in the J.D. Power report include O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Toronto Pearson International Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.

The top large airports in North America

John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California (687 points)
Tampa International Airport (685 points)
Kansas City International Airport (683 points)
Dallas Love Field (675 points)
Nashville International Airport (668 points)
William P. Hobby Airport in Houston (667 points)
Sacramento International Airport (663 points)
Portland International Airport (659 points)
Salt Lake City International Airport (659 points)
San Jose International Airport in California (655 points)

The lowest-rated large airports according to the J.D. Power survey are St. Louis Lambert International Airport, Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, and Philadelphia International Airport.