Over this past Labor Day weekend, 10.4 million passengers passed the Road Security Agency (TSA) checkpoints, with the agency reporting it is on track to break the highest passenger volume record of the year. In other words, more travelers are heading towards the sky more than ever before.
So, what does that mean for the air travel experience? A new survey released this week by consumer insights, data and analytics company JD Power found that despite the spike in traveller numbers, overall air passenger satisfaction remains high. It was mainly driven by improving the airport’s food scene, and mostly bringing more local culinary talent, making it easier to navigate the airport.
A survey of 30,439 travelers from the US and Canada from July 2024 to July 2025 found that “decades of trends in bringing local flavours to passenger experiences have positively impacted airport experiences.
Taylor added that passengers are benefiting from the massive airport improvement project that will ultimately be realized.
In a 2025 survey, airports were determined based on several factors. How easy is it to travel between the airports? Trust Traveler Levels are at the airport. Terminal facilities; Airport staff; What is your airport departure experience? Food, drinks, and retail products. And what is the arrival experience like?
Based on these important determinants, one airport (again) came up above: Minneapolis-Paul International Airport (MSP) scored a score of 660 on a scale of 1,000 points. The Midwest hub also tops the list last year. With Minneapolis being recognized as the happiest city in the United States last year, Twin City is excellent not only for international travel but also for happiness.
A total of 37.2 million passengers traveled the MSP in 2024, and the airport recently welcomed several new transatlantic routes. These include the first non-stop flight to Copenhagen with Delta airlines kicked off this spring, a new service to Dublin with the Delta, and new service to Luftansa and Frankfurt. In 2023, MSP Terminal 1 was completely overhauled in collaboration with Terminal’s resident Delta Airlines. Currently, it includes a beautiful new Sky Club lounge. The renovation is part of a $242 million airport modernization program that will update designs across six of the terminal’s seven competitions (a, b, c, d, f, g) by the end of this year.
So, what other airports have travelers impressed? All of the top-performing airports in the JD Power Ranking focus on design details, stores and restaurants that showcase the surrounding area.
Below is a complete list of the best airports in North America based on the JD Power 2025 North American Airport Satisfaction Survey. The airport is divided into three size categories: Mega, Large and Medium. Mega Airports are defined as handling more than 33 million passengers each year. The large airport handles between 10 million and 32.9 million passengers per year. The medium airport handles between 4.5 million and 9.9 million passengers each year.
Best Mega Airports in North America
- Minneapolis – Paul International Airport (660 points)
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (649 points)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (634 points)
- Dallas – Forthworth International Airport (620 points)
- Harry Reed International Airport in Las Vegas (619 points)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (618 points)
- Orlando International Airport (618 points)
- Miami International Airport (615 points)
- San Francisco International Airport (613 points)
- Boston Logan International Airport (608 points)
At the bottom of the JD power list at Mega Airport is Newer Liberty International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport in New Jersey.
Best Big Airport in North America
- John Wayne Airport, Orange County, California (730 points)
- Tampa International Airport (709 points)
- Dallas Love Field (705 points)
- Kansas City International Airport (691 points)
- Loweredalam International Airport (688 points)
- Portland International Airport, Oregon (683 points)
- Nashville International Airport (676 points)
- Vancouver International Airport (671 points)
- Salt Lake City International Airport (665 points)
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (664 points)
The lowest-ranked airports on the JD Power List are Philadelphia International Airport, Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport and St. Louis Lambert International Airport.
Best Medium-sized Airport in North America
- Indianapolis International Airport (713 points)
- Ontario International Airport (709 points)
- Buffalo Niagara International Airport (698 points)
- Jacksonville International Airport (695 points)
- Palm Beach International Airport (688 points)
- Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (685 points)
- Southwest Florida International Airport (683 points)
- Bradley International Airport, Connecticut (675 points)
- Hollywood Burbank Airport (663 points)
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (660 points)
The lowest midsize airports are Edmonton International Airport, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, and Ottawa/McDonald’s Cartier International Airport.
This story was originally published in September 2018 and was recently updated regularly on September 18, 2025, and contains current information.
