Ranking North America's Largest Airports by Satisfaction Levels

Amid increased foot traffic, North America's airports are reported to be garnering higher passenger satisfaction. Last year witnessed several records for passenger numbers, with the TSA foreseeing a possible break of the 2024 record of 904 million travelers across U.S. checkpoints.

The Satisfaction Study conducted by J.D. Power reveals a promising 10-point climb in passenger satisfaction based on a 1,000-point system. Drawing from 30,439 surveys of travelers in the U.S. and Canada between July 2024 and July 2025, the study offers insights into airport experiences across the continent.

Understanding Airport Classifications

Airports are categorized by size, with mega airports handling more than 33 million passengers annually. Despite their scale, these often ranked lower due to factors like increased wait times and crowding. Michael Taylor from J.D. Power attributes the rise in happiness scores to facility upgrades.

Spending Habits and Experience Ratings

There is a distinct correlation between the amount a passenger is willing to spend and their satisfaction level. Those who rated their airport experience as flawless spent an average of $42.39 in the terminal, significantly higher than their less impressed counterparts.

The Survey's Results on Mega Airports

20. Newark Liberty International Airport

Achieving a score of 565, Newark Liberty International records 48.9 million travelers. Despite a fourth consecutive year at the lowest rank, issues like runway overhauls and air traffic control interruptions impacted performance.

19. Toronto Pearson International Airport

Hovering slightly above with 567 points, Canada's busiest airport handled 46.8 million passengers. Though it improved slightly by eight points, the year was marred by operational challenges, including an aircraft incident and a major airline strike.

18. Charlotte Douglas International Airport

With a score of 581 and 58.8 million passengers, Charlotte experienced the most significant rank decrease. It slipped three positions, although it remains a major hub for American Airlines.

17. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Seattle-Tacoma, with a score of 583 and 52.6 million travelers, moved a notch down. Alaska Airlines, stewarding almost half of the passengers, is prepping for European flights post its Hawaiian Airlines merger.

16. Chicago O'Hare International Airport

O’Hare saw improvement with a 586 score and 80 million passengers. The jump was fueled by enhanced satisfaction, making it noteworthy as an expansive operation for both United and American Airlines.

15. Los Angeles International Airport

LAX, scoring 589 with 76.6 million travelers, is a pivotal international gateway. Efforts to reduce traffic by removing iconic signage slightly impacted rankings, though plans indicate the sign's return.

14. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Topping international visitor volume with 108.1 million visitors, Atlanta's airport scored 590. Known as Delta’s primary hub, ATL ascended three spots, reflecting significant growth in passenger handling.

13. Denver International Airport

Retaining its rank with a score of 596 and 82.4 million passengers, Denver houses the unique 'Mustang' statue. It remains an important hub for United and Southwest Airlines and boasts the largest land footprint among U.S. airports.

11. George Bush Intercontinental (tie)

Scoring 606, and serving 48.4 million travelers, Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental advanced two spots due to United Airlines predominantly managing operations here.

11. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (tie)

Sharing the same score, Fort Lauderdale saw 35.2 million travelers, despite operational challenges primarily from low-cost carriers such as Spirit Airlines and JetBlue. It slid two positions yet tied for 11th.

10. Boston Logan International Airport

Boston Logan, named for a military leader, achieved 608 points, with an uptick of 17 points in satisfaction. Handling 43.5 million travelers, its location on reclaimed land adds a unique charm.

9. San Francisco International Airport

San Francisco, at 613 points and handling 52.3 million passengers, edged down two ranks. As a preferred hub for United, SFO is notably cherished over its Southern Californian counterpart, LAX.

8. Miami International Airport

Miami, soaring to 615 with 55.9 million passengers, advanced three places. Handling predominantly international flights, it stands as the second busiest airport in Florida for such travels.

6. Orlando International Airport (tie)

Orlando climbed to 618, tied with JFK, hosting 57.2 million travelers. A major point for Southwest Airlines, the airport has risen due to its link to popular tourist destinations.

6. John F. Kennedy International Airport (tie)

JFK, seeing 63.3 million passengers, dropped slightly but plans for a multibillion dollar terminal renovation aim at elevating its status as a leading international link.

5. Harry Reid International Airport

Achieving a score of 619 with 58.4 million travelers, Las Vegas’ airport, named after a political figure, is a favorite for Southwest fliers. Despite a slight score decrease, it gained a rank.

4. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

With 620 points and 87.8 million passengers, DFW, an American Airlines stronghold, advanced a rank. It offers seamless transit among terminals thanks to a light rail, enhancing the passenger experience.

3. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Phoenix, scoring 634 for a handling of 52.3 million travelers, maintained its third spot. An elevated rail system improves transit efficiency, highly favored by airlines like Southwest and American.

2. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport

With 649 points, Detroit serves 33 million passengers. Even with fewer numbers, its satisfaction rating grew, strengthening its Delta Air Lines hub status and nearly closing in on top position.

1. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport

Retaining the peak with a score of 660 and 37.2 million travelers, Minneapolis continues as a Delta hub. Noted for punctuality, this airport remains a passenger favorite, yet experiences a small dip in satisfaction.