The Best Major U.S. Airports of Every Size, According to Travelers

Americans love to travel, and their experience at the airport plays a large role in whether a trip gets off to the right start.

Recently, J.D. Power announced its winners among medium-, large- and mega-sized airports as part of its 2023 North America Airport Satisfaction Study.

The study surveyed more than 27,000 U.S. and Canadian residents who traveled through at least one airport during the past month and asked them to rate their experience based on six factors in the following order of importance:

• Terminal facilities
• Airport arrival/departure
• Baggage claim
• Security check
• Check-in/baggage check
• Food, beverage and retail

Based on a 1,000-point scale, these are the U.S. airports that travelers love best.

Medium-size airports

J.D. Power defines medium-size airports as those that serve 4.5 million to 9.9 million passengers per year. Following are the three highest-rated medium-size airports.

Ontario International Airport

Airport code: ONT

Location: Ontario, California

Overall customer satisfaction score: 834 out of 1,000 possible points

Who says waiting in the airport has to be boring? California’s Ontario International Airport partners with the local Chaffey Community Museum of Art to host rotating curated art exhibits featuring 2D and 3D art with “local flair” in both of the airport’s two terminals.

Southwest Florida International Airport

Airport code: RSW

Location: Fort Myers, Florida

Overall customer satisfaction score: 839 out of 1,000 possible points

Certified for operation in 1983, this airport in Southwest Florida remains one of the newest airports in the nation.

Like some other airports, Southwest Florida International Airport offers a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program that allows travelers to wear a sunflower symbol — on a lanyard, bracelet or other item — signaling the need for “more assistance, extra time or patience.”

Indianapolis International Airport

Airport code: IND

Location: Indianapolis

Overall customer satisfaction score: 843 out of 1,000 possible points

At the Indianapolis International Airport, you can get in a little preflight workout. In partnership with the American Heart Association, the airport has created a designated quarter-mile walking path around the Ticketing Hall. In addition, once you have gone through security, you can walk a half-mile path around either concourse or a 1.1-mile lap around both concourses.

Large airports

J.D. Power defines large airports as those that serve 10 million to 32.9 million passengers per year. Following are the three highest-rated large-size airports.

Salt Lake City International Airport

Airport code: SLC

Location: Salt Lake City

Overall customer satisfaction score: 825 out of 1,000 possible points

Salt Lake City International Airport — which was built to serve half as many travelers as it does today — is in the midst of a $5.1 billion redevelopment program. The first phase opened in September 2020. No local tax dollars are being spent on the redevelopment, which instead relies on user fees, which are paid primarily by airlines that use the airport.

John Wayne Airport

Airport code: JWA

Location: Santa Ana, California

Overall customer satisfaction score: 829 out of 1,000 possible points

At John Wayne Airport, located in Orange County, four-legged ambassadors greet two-legged travelers. The AirPAWS Therapy Dog Program features more than a dozen trained therapy dogs who “roam throughout the Airport greeting interested guests and providing joy to those who want to hug, smooch or photograph them,” according to the airport.

Tampa International Airport

Airport code: TPA

Location: Tampa, Florida

Overall customer satisfaction score: 832 out of 1,000 possible points

Tampa International Airport has made a strong push to become more sustainable. Nearly half of the airport’s fleet is made up of alternative-fuel vehicles. Preferred parking spaces are available for those who drive alternative-fuel vehicles, and the lot has electric vehicle charging stations for public use.

Mega airports

J.D. Power defines mega-size airports as those that serve 33 million or more passengers per year. Following are the three highest-rated mega-size airports.

Harry Reid International Airport

Airport code: LAS

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

Overall customer satisfaction score: 787 out of 1,000 possible points

Visitors to Harry Reid International Airport can check out the airport’s aviation museum, which is home to the 1958 Cessna 172 that set the World Endurance Aloft flying record in 1959. The aircraft remained aloft for 64 days, 22 hours, 19 minutes and 5 seconds — a record which stands to this day.

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

Airport code: MSP

Location: St. Paul, Minnesota

Overall customer satisfaction score: 796 out of 1,000 possible points

Those who work at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) might just become a local star. The Voices of MSP program lets employees record the public address announcements that are heard throughout the airport. Those selected in the past include flight attendants, airline ramp agents, airport volunteers, administrative coordinators, police officers and firefighters.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport

Airport code: DTW

Location: Romulus, Michigan

Overall customer satisfaction score: 800 out of 1,000 possible points

During World War II, the U.S. Army took control of the Wayne County Airport and used it as a staging base in transporting military aircraft to Europe. In 1943, 107 civil service workers from the Women Airforce Service Pilots were assigned to the temporarily renamed Romulus Army Air Field so they could ferry aircraft across the U.S.