A new report by J.D. Power shows customer satisfaction with U.S. airports is at an all-time high since the firm began conducting the survey 15 years ago (it did not conduct the survey all of those years).
This year's results were based on the responses of almost 39,000 people, who were asked to rate airports in six areas: terminal facilities; accessibility; security check; baggage claim; check-in/baggage check; and food, beverage and retail.
"Airports are taking a much more intense look at being able to help people and anticipate their needs, and use technology to solve problems before they even happen," said Michael Taylor, director of the airport practice at J.D. Power.
Many airports, including New York City's John F. Kennedy, New Jersey's Newark Liberty and Los Angeles International have recently been refurbished, or are in the process of renovating terminals. Those renovations, which often include new restaurants, shops and amenities like charging stations have made traveling through certain airports much more enjoyable.
Rank | Airport | Overall satisfaction |
1 | Portland International (PDX) | 786 |
2 | Tampa International (TPA) | 775 |
3 | Las Vegas McCarran (LAS) | 759 |
4 | Orlando International (MCO) | 751 |
5 | Miami International (MIA) | 750 |
6 | San Diego International (SAN) | 748 |
7 | Salt Lake City International (SLC) | 747 |
8 | Toronto Pearson (YYZ) | 745 |
9 | Washington DC Reagan National (DCA) | 742 |
10 | Chicago Midway (MDW) | 741 |
11 | Denver International (DEN) | 738 |
11 | Charlotte Douglas (CLT) | 738 |
13 | Dallas/Ft. Worth International (DFW) | 737 |
14 | Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) | 735 |
15 | Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) | 734 |
15 | Minneapolis/St. Paul International (MSP) | 734 |
15 | Baltimore Washington International (BWI) | 734 |
18 | Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) | 733 |
19 | Honolulu International (HNL) | 727 |
20 | Washington DC Dulles (IAD) | 726 |
21 | San Francisco International (SFO) | 725 |
22 | Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA) | 721 |
23 | Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International (FLL) | 720 |
24 | New York John F. Kennedy (JFK) | 713 |
25 | Houston Bush Intercontinental (IAH) | 709 |
26 | Los Angeles International (LAX) | 702 |
27 | Boston Logan (BOS) | 689 |
27 | Chicago O'Hare (ORD) | 689 |
29 | Philadelphia International (PHL) | 688 |
30 | Newark Liberty International (EWR) | 669 |
31 | New York LaGuardia (LGA) | 649 |
Yet those improvements have not changed the perception that many of the country's airports are in terrible shape.
Two years ago, Vice President Joe Biden called out New York City's LaGuardia Airport as an example of the country's declining infrastructure, saying, "If I took you and blindfolded you and took you to LaGuardia Airport in New York, you'd think, 'I must be in some Third World country.'"
President-elect Donald Trump delivered a similar message while running for office. He vowed to rebuild run-down airports as part of a campaign promise to invest $1 billion in America's infrastructure.
"We are going to rebuild our infrastructure, which will become, by the way, second to none," he said on election night.
Whether or not America spends billions rebuilding terminals or adding runways to ease congestion remains to be seen. But some of the country's largest airports are already earning praise for improving the travel experience.
These are the country's best and worst airports, according to travelers 10 Hours Ago | 01:51
Many of them are overcrowded, dirty and appear to be falling apart. But America's airports are getting record high marks from travelers.
A new report by J.D. Power shows customer satisfaction with U.S. airports is at an all-time high since the firm began conducting the survey 15 years ago (it did not conduct the survey all of those years).
This year's results were based on the responses of almost 39,000 people, who were asked to rate airports in six areas: terminal facilities; accessibility; security check; baggage claim; check-in/baggage check; and food, beverage and retail.
"Airports are taking a much more intense look at being able to help people and anticipate their needs, and use technology to solve problems before they even happen," said Michael Taylor, director of the airport practice at J.D. Power.
Many airports, including New York City's John F. Kennedy, New Jersey's Newark Liberty and Los Angeles International have recently been refurbished, or are in the process of renovating terminals. Those renovations, which often include new restaurants, shops and amenities like charging stations have made traveling through certain airports much more enjoyable.
Yet those improvements have not changed the perception that many of the country's airports are in terrible shape.
Two years ago, Vice President Joe Biden called out New York City's LaGuardia Airport as an example of the country's declining infrastructure, saying, "If I took you and blindfolded you and took you to LaGuardia Airport in New York, you'd think, 'I must be in some Third World country.'"
President-elect Donald Trump delivered a similar message while running for office. He vowed to rebuild run-down airports as part of a campaign promise to invest $1 billion in America's infrastructure.
"We are going to rebuild our infrastructure, which will become, by the way, second to none," he said on election night.
Whether or not America spends billions rebuilding terminals or adding runways to ease congestion remains to be seen. But some of the country's largest airports are already earning praise for improving the travel experience.
The international airports in Portland, Oregon; Tampa, Florida; Las Vegas (McCarran); and Orlando, Florida, earned the highest marks among large airports in terms of customer satisfaction.
By comparison, New York LaGuardia, Newark Liberty, Philadelphia and Chicago O'Hare received the lowest scores.
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