A comprehensive study released on September 16 identifies the top-performing airports in North America, reflecting a general upward trend in passenger satisfaction. The 2026 North America Airport Satisfaction Study, based on feedback from nearly 25,000 residents across the United States and Canada, measured terminal experiences, passenger trust, and the overall ease of navigating through these transit hubs.
Data shows that satisfaction scores improved across all size categories despite high passenger volumes. Mega airports saw a 14-point increase on a 1,000-point scale, while large airports grew by 13 points and medium-sized facilities experienced a 16-point gain.
Michael Taylor, managing director of travel, hospitality and retail at the firm behind the study, attributed these improvements to long-term capital investments. He noted that over the past decade, airports have prioritized projects designed to streamline passenger flow and modernize food and beverage offerings. These infrastructure efforts are now yielding tangible results in the form of higher approval ratings from travelers.
In the mega-airport category, which encompasses hubs serving 33 million or more passengers annually, Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) secured the top spot. It was followed in the rankings by Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) rounded out the top five.
Tampa International Airport (TPA) led the large airport category—defined as those handling between 10 and 32.9 million passengers—followed by Portland International Airport (PDX) and Dallas Love Field (DAL). Kansas City International Airport (MCI) and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) claimed the fourth and fifth positions, respectively.
Among medium airports serving between 4.5 and 9.9 million passengers, Charleston International Airport (CHS) took first place. Ontario International Airport (ONT) and Indianapolis International Airport (IND) followed in second and third place, while Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) and Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) completed the top tier.
Taylor emphasized that structural and design decisions remain critical, as every detail in the terminal influences how passengers utilize their time and their spending behavior. The full breakdown of these rankings and detailed performance metrics are currently available via the organization’s official research portal. The report also notes that from streamlined terminals to better dining and amenities, travelers gave top marks to airports that make flying easier. The report also notes that airports in Minnesota, Florida and South Carolina left the best impressions on travelers, according to a new JD Power report. The report also notes that 16 news release. “On the whole, those efforts are finally starting to pay off in the form of higher overall passenger satisfaction scores. The report also notes that nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for based in Nashville. The report also notes that you can reach him at ndiller@.com.