Top US Airports Ranked: Midwest Hub Takes the Crown for Satisfaction

WHO:

Business Insider - JD Power conducted the North America Airport Satisfaction Study.

USA Today - Michael Taylor is the managing director of travel, hospitality, and retail at JD Power.

WHAT:

Business Insider - The 2026 study was based on 24,710 surveys of US and Canadian residents who traveled through at least one eligible North American airport in the 30 days before completing the survey.

USA Today - Overall airport satisfaction increased by 14 points for mega airports on a 1,000-point scale.

USA Today - Large airports saw a 13-point increase in satisfaction, while medium airports rose by 16 points.

USA Today - Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) ranked first among mega airports.

USA Today - Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) ranked second and third, respectively.

USA Today - Tampa International Airport (TPA) ranked first among large airports.

USA Today - Charleston International Airport (CHS) ranked first among medium airports.

Business Insider - Travelers who rated their airport experience "perfect" spent an average of $20.22 more than those who rated their trips "just OK."

WHERE:

Business Insider - The study covered airports in the United States and Canada.

USA Today - Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport is located in Minnesota.

USA Today - Tampa International Airport is located in Florida.

USA Today - Charleston International Airport is located in South Carolina.

WHEN:

Business Insider - The 2026 study was conducted.

Business Insider - Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport recently underwent a $242 million terminal renovation in December 2025.

WHY:

Business Insider - The increase in passenger satisfaction is attributed to significant capital improvement projects at airports aimed at enhancing passenger flow and experience.

USA Today - Michael Taylor noted that every detail in airport design can significantly influence passenger experiences and spending.

HOW:

Business Insider - Passengers evaluated their experiences across seven core factors, including ease of travel, trust in the airport, terminal facilities, and food and beverage options.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 19:06 UTC)

A recent study by JD Power, which surveyed over 24,000 travelers in the U.S. and Canada, revealed a notable increase in airport satisfaction, with mega airports seeing a rise of 14 points on a 1,000-point scale. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport topped the list for mega airports, while Tampa International Airport and Charleston International Airport ranked first among large and medium airports, respectively. The study highlighted that travelers who rated their airport experience as "perfect" tended to spend an average of $20.22 more than those who felt their experience was merely "just OK."