The J.D. Power North America Airport Satisfaction Study released its 2026 results, revealing a notable lift in passenger contentment across the United States and Canada. Even though traffic levels hovered near historic peaks, Travelers praised smoother flows, clearer wayfinding, and richer food and retail choices, indicating that recent capital projects are paying off.
Top-scoring airports and their point differentials
At the summit of the large-airport category, Tampa international airport secured a leading score of 715 on the 1,000-point scale. It outperformed Portland International Airport (708) and Dallas Love Field (698), establishing a clear margin of superiority. In the mega-airport segment—defined as facilities handling at least 33 million passengers annually—Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport repeated its reign with a score of 684, followed by Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport at 663 and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport at 642. Among medium airports, which serve between 4.5 and 9.9 million passengers per yearCharleston International Airport led with 712, with Ontario International Airport (705) and Indianapolis International Airport (695) close behind.
What drove the surge in satisfaction?
The study attributes the uplift largely to extensive construction and modernization efforts that many airports have undertaken over the past decade. New terminals, expanded concourses, and redesigned security checkpoints have streamlined passenger flow while upgraded signage and intuitive layouts emerged as the strongest predictors of a positive experience. Michael Taylor managing director of travel, hospitality and retail at J.D. Power, explained, “For the better part of the last decade, nearly every airport, from the largest international hubs to midsized airfields, has undertaken a significant capital improvement project aimed at streamlining passenger flow, adding attractive food and beverage options and improving ”
Food, beverage, and retail offerings also climbed eight points across all airport categories. Travelers expressed a preference for a blend of locally inspired eateries and familiar national brands, suggesting that a balanced mix resonates best with passengers. This culinary renaissance appears to have a direct fiscal impact: respondents who rated their airport experience as “perfect” spent an average of $47.60 inside the terminal, compared with $27.38 for those who described it as merely “just OK.” Yet only 12 % of journeys earned a perfect rating, underscoring that there remains room for improvement.
Methodology and scope of the 2026 study
The findings are based on 24,710 completed surveys collected from July 2025 through July 2026. Participants were U.S. and Canadian residents who had traveled through at least one airport in either country. The questionnaire examined seven distinct dimensions: ease of travel through the airport, trust in the facility, terminal facilities, airport staff interactions, ground-transportation experiences, food and retail offerings, and arrival experiences. By aggregating responses across these categories, J.D. Power generated composite scores for each airport and for each size tier—mega, large, and medium.
Compared with the previous year, mega airports improved by 14 points large airports by 13 points and medium airports by a striking 16 points. These gains suggest that the industry-wide push for renovation and service enhancement is bearing fruit, especially for airports that historically struggled with congestion and outdated amenities.
As airports continue to refine their layouts, expand dining options, and integrate technology, the bar for passenger satisfaction is poised to rise even further.
