Nearly two-thirds of North American flyers (60% to be precise) report having "enjoyed spending time in their airport," according to the latest passenger satisfaction survey from J.D. Power.
The baffling contentment of those travelers is evidently impervious to record passenger volume, widespread flight delays, and overpriced food and drink at airport stores and restaurants.
For what it's worth, the latter costs do get the lowest scores among airport-goers, J.D. Power reports. In fact, more travelers seem to be skipping snacks at terminals, with the amount spent on food and beverages at airports in 2024 declining from 2023 figures, per J.D. Power's data.
The survey's primary purpose, though, is to rank North America's "mega," "large," and "medium" airports according to the following criteria, listed in the order of importance as determined by J.D. Power's analysts: "ease of travel through airport; level of trust with airport; terminal facilities; airport staff; departure/to airport experience; food, beverage, and retail; and arrival/from airport experience."
In case you were wondering, mega airports are defined as those with 33 million or more passengers per year; large airports get 10 to 32.9 million passengers per year; and medium airports get 4.5 to 9.9 million passengers per year. This year's rankings—the 19th installment of J.D. Power's annual report—are based on 26,290 completed surveys from U.S. and Canadian flyers.
Now that we've got the methodology out of the way, let's take a look at 2024's best and worst airports in North America, according to the people who flew in and out of them.
2024's Best Mega Airports in North America
1. Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
2. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
3. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
4. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York City
5. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
2024's Worst Mega Airports in North America
1. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
2. Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
3. O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago
As business news site TheStreet points out, Newark was dead last in 2023 as well. Passengers' main complaint this go-round? Difficulty accessing the airport due to road traffic and inadequate public transit.
2024's Best Large Airports in North America
1. John Wayne Airport (SNA), Orange County, California
2. Tampa International Airport (TPA)
3. Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
4. Dallas Love Field (DAL)
5. Nashville International Airport (BNA)
2024's Worst Large Airports in North America
1. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
2. Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
3. St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)
2024's Best Medium Airports
1. Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
2. Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
3. Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)
4. Ontario International Airport (ONT), San Bernardino County, California
5. Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
2024's Worst Medium Airports
1. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
2. Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
3. Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR)
Pictured at top: John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, California
