- Travelers in North America were largely satisfied with their airport experiences in the last year.
- But travelers are getting fed up with the high prices airport concessions charge.
- Minneapolis took the top spot among the largest airports.
(This story was updated to correct a misspelling/typo.)
Not all airports are created equal, but some left travelers happier than others.
Travelers in North America were largely satisfied with their airport experiences in the last year, though some airfields rated more favorably than others. J.D. Power’s 2024 North America Airport Satisfaction Study showed that 60% of travelers somewhat agreed or strongly agreed with the sentiment that they enjoyed spending time in the airport, even with record crowds.
But it’s not all picture-perfect.
The survey also showed that travelers are getting fed up with the high prices airport concessions charge, and are actually spending less on average on food, beverages and other airport amenities than they did in 2023.
“Huge air travel demand has not slowed down in North America, despite the steadily rising costs of flights, ground travel, hotel rooms and pretty much anything you can buy in an airport,” Michael Taylor, managing director of travel, hospitality and retail at J.D. Power said in a statement. “Most travelers are still enjoying the experience. However, we are starting to see a breaking point in consumer spending, with average spend per person in the terminal declining significantly from a year ago.”
So, how does your home airport stack up? Here are J.D. Power’s rankings.
Top 10 mega airports
10. Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
9. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
8. Orlando International Airport (MCO)
7. San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
6. Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
5. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
4. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
3. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
2. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
1. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
Top 10 large airports
10. San Jose International Airport (SJC)
9. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
8. Portland International Airport (PDX)
7. Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
6. William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
5. Nashville International Airport (BNA)
4. Dallas Love Field (DAL)
3. Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
2. Tampa International Airport (TPA)
1. John Wayne Airport, Orange County (SNA)
Cruising Altitude:Why some think airlines should limit alcohol servings.
Top 10 medium airports
10. Bradley International Airport (BDL)
9. John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)
8. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
7. Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
6. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
5. Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
4. Ontario International Airport (ONT)
3. Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)
2. Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
1. Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at [email protected].