J.D. Powers 2025 Rankings: Top Airports in North America

Traveling can often be a mixed bag of experiences, with high fares and crowded flights often causing frustrations. However, there’s good news for travelers: North American airports are becoming more user-friendly and enjoyable. According to the latest J.D. Power 2025 North American Airport Satisfaction Study, consumer satisfaction scores for airports have seen significant improvements across all categories, reflecting a positive trend in the travel experience.

On a scale of 1,000 points, satisfaction with “mega” airports—those serving over 33 million passengers annually—rose by 8 points from last year. “Large” airports, accommodating between 10 million and 32.9 million passengers, saw an impressive 15-point increase, while “medium” airports, with 4.5 million to 9.9 million passengers, improved by 10 points.

For the second consecutive year, Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), John Wayne Airport (SNA) in California, and Indianapolis International Airport (IND) led their respective categories.

Mega Airports

In the “mega” airport category, MSP topped the list with a score of 660, despite a slight decline of 11 points from 2024. Following MSP were Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) with 649 points and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) with 634 points. Notably, Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) continued to hold the last position for the fourth year running, although it improved its score to 565, up 13 points from the previous year.

Large Airports

In the “large” airport category, SNA ranked first for the second year in a row with a score of 730. Tampa International Airport (TPA) followed closely in second place, while Dallas Love Field (DAL) secured the third spot.

Medium Airports

IND maintained its top position in the “medium” category for the fourth consecutive year, with Ontario International Airport (ONT) and Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) coming in second and third, respectively.

The rankings are based on surveys from 30,439 travelers who passed through at least one North American airport between July 2024 and July 2025. The study evaluated seven key factors: ease of travel, trust with the airport, terminal facilities, staff experience, ground departure experience, food and retail options, and the overall experience arriving at or traveling to the airport.

Factors Influencing Satisfaction

Michael Taylor, J.D. Power’s managing director of travel, hospitality, and retail, noted that the rise in passenger satisfaction can be attributed to significant improvements in airport facilities. Many airports have recently completed major capital improvement projects, and more are underway.

One of the standout factors contributing to higher satisfaction scores is the enhanced availability of diverse dining and retail options. Satisfaction with food and beverage offerings increased by 14 points compared to last year, largely due to the introduction of “authentic local” brands that provide a unique sense of place. Taylor emphasized that this trend of incorporating local flavors into the airport experience has positively influenced passenger satisfaction.

Full Rankings Overview

Here’s a complete breakdown of the airport ratings in each category:

# Mega Airports

1. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP): 660
2. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW): 649
3. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX): 634
4. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): 620
5. Harry Reid International Airport (LAS): 619
6. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK): 618 (tie)
6. Orlando International Airport (MCO): 618 (tie)
8. Miami International Airport (MIA): 615
9. San Francisco International Airport (SFO): 613
10. Boston Logan International Airport (BOS): 608
11. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL): 606 (tie)
11. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH): 606 (tie)
13. Denver International Airport (DEN): 596
14. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL): 590
15. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): 589
16. O’Hare International Airport (ORD): 586
17. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA): 583
18. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT): 581
19. Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ): 567
20. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR): 565

# Large Airports

1. John Wayne Airport (SNA): 730
2. Tampa International Airport (TPA): 709
3. Dallas Love Field (DAL): 705
4. Kansas City International Airport (MCI): 691
5. Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU): 688
6. Portland International Airport (PDX): 683
7. Nashville International Airport (BNA): 676
8. Vancouver International Airport (YVR): 671
9. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC): 665
10. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY): 664
11. Sacramento International Airport (SMF): 662
12. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI): 650 (tie)
12. San Antonio International Airport (SAN): 650 (tie)
12. San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC): 650 (tie)
15. San Diego International Airport (SAN): 645
16. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS): 643 (tie)
16. William P. Hobby Airport (HOU): 643 (tie)
18. LaGuardia Airport (LGA): 637
19. Midway International Airport (MDW): 631
20. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA): 623
21. Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK): 618
22. Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL): 617
23. Dulles International Airport (IAD): 612
24. Calgary International Airport (YYC): 610
25. St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL): 602
26. Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL): 571
27. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL): 570

# Medium Airports

1. Indianapolis International Airport (IND): 713
2. Ontario International Airport (ONT): 709
3. Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF): 698
4. Jacksonville International Airport (JAX): 695
5. Palm Beach International Airport (PBI): 688
6. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE): 685
7. Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW): 683
8. Bradley International Airport (BDL): 675
9. Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR): 663
10. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG): 660
11. John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH): 639 (tie)
11. Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT): 639 (tie)
13. Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ): 627
14. Kahului Airport (OGG): 626
15. Eppley Airfield (OMA): 618
16. Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW): 614
17. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE): 611
18. Edmonton International Airport (YEG): 602

As air travel continues to evolve, these rankings reflect a commitment to improving the passenger experience at North American airports. Whether you’re flying for business or pleasure, the enhancements in airport facilities and services promise a more enjoyable journey ahead.