What JD Power’s 2026 Airport Satisfaction Ranking Says About US Travel

JD Power’s 2026 North America Airport Satisfaction Study measured how travelers rate airports across medium, large, and mega categories. The study defined mega airports as those with 33 million or more passengers a year, large airports as 10 million to 32.9 million, and medium airports as 4.5 million to 9.9 million. The 2026 ranking was based on 24,710 surveys from US and Canadian residents who had traveled through at least one eligible North American airport in the previous 30 days.

The ranking weighed seven factors, led by ease of travel through the airport and passengers’ level of trust in the airport. Other factors included terminal facilities, airport staff, departure and airport access, food and retail, and the arrival experience. The segment average was 617 on a 1,000-point scale, giving readers a benchmark for comparing individual airport scores.

Business Insider highlighted a major takeaway from the study: airport renovations appear to pay off. JD Power found overall passenger satisfaction at mega airports rose 14 points even as passenger volume remained at record levels. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport ranked first for the third year in a row in 2026 after a $242 million terminal renovation completed in December 2025 that refreshed gate areas, seating, flooring, lighting, signage, and post-security spaces.

JD Power found that travelers who rated their airport experience “perfect” spent an average of $20.22 more than those who said their trips were “just OK.” High-scoring airports also tended to have a balance of chain and local restaurants and shops, along with clear signage. For airport operators, the ranking points to practical priorities: smoother passenger flow, better facilities, and stronger food, beverage, and retail options.

Among the ranked airports shown in the article, Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport tied at No. 20 with scores of 585/1000. Denver International Airport ranked No. 18 with 602/1000, while Charlotte Douglas International Airport ranked No. 17 with 603/1000. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport tied at No. 16 with scores of 606/1000.