With long TSA lines, crowded concourses, and frequent flight delays, the frustrations are real when traveling through U.S. airports in 2026. But some airports are making strides in improving the passenger experience with thoughtful terminal designs, locally inspired food and retail options, and friendly staff. Consumer analytics company J.D. Power recently revealed the J.D. Power 2026 North America Airport Satisfaction Study, ranking the North American airports that travelers found most satisfying to transit this year. Find out the results below — and see which major hub took the No. 1 spot for the third year in a row.

Top 10 Mega Airports

The J.D. Power study ranked airports in three separate categories based on size. In the “mega” category were airports with 33 million or more passengers per year.

As in 2024 and 2025, Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport dominated the rankings in 2026. Its overall passenger satisfaction score was even higher this time around, increasing from 660 in 2025 to 684 in 2026. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that in late 2025, the airport completed a 17,000-square-foot expansion and modernization of its busy Terminal 1, which improved passenger flow through TSA checkpoints and modernized amenities such as ticketing counters, baggage carousels, and restrooms.

New to the top 10 rankings this year is New York’s LaGuardia Airport, which has come a long way since then-Vice President Joe Biden likened the facility to a “third-world country” in 2014. The airport’s $8 billion redevelopment project transformed its terminals into airy, light-filled spaces outfitted with modern amenities, local artwork, and beloved local restaurants. 

As you’ll see below, airports were ranked on a 1,000-point scale, but even the highest-ranked airports didn’t crack 700 points. Despite the renovation projects taking place across the country, many airports still face an uphill battle in terms of passenger perception. 

Here’s the rest of the top 10 mega U.S. airports for passenger satisfaction: 

• Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (684 out of 1,000 points)
• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (663 points)
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (642 points)
• New York LaGuardia Airport (638 points)
• Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (634 points)
• San Francisco International Airport (630 points)
• Miami International Airport (628 points)
• New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (626 points)
• Boston Logan International Airport (622 points)
• Orlando International Airport (621 points)

Top 10 Large Airports

Thanks to shorter wait times and less crowding, airports in the “large” category (10 million to 32.9 million passengers per year) fared a little better in passenger satisfaction scores than “mega” airports. 

Interestingly, last year’s winner in this category — Orange County’s John Wayne Airport in Southern California — fell to the No. 10 spot in 2026 as other airports’ renovated terminals stole the spotlight. This year’s crown went to Tampa International Airport, which topped the category for a third time. The easy-to-navigate Florida hub recently expanded its TSA checkpoints, replaced its terminal shuttles, and started work on a brand-new concourse. Portland International Airport’s recent state-of-the-art terminal redesign also left a strong impression on travelers, as it jumped from No. 6 to No. 2 in its category this year. 

These were the top 10 large airports in the J.D. Power study:

• Tampa International Airport (715 out of 1,000 points) 
• Portland International Airport (708 points) 
• Dallas Love Field (698 points)
• Kansas City International Airport (692 points)
• Raleigh-Durham International Airport (685 points)
• Nashville International Airport (683 points)
• Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (682 points)
• Salt Lake City International Airport (682 points)
• Southwest Florida International Airport (680 points)
• Orange County John Wayne Airport (677 points)

Top 10 Medium Airports

Lastly, airports in the “medium” category welcomed 4.5 million to 9.9 million annual passengers. This year’s list saw a new No. 1: After four consecutive years in the top spot, Indianapolis International Airport fell to No. 3, losing its title to Charleston International Airport in South Carolina. 

Here’s the full list of the top 10 medium airports:

• Charleston International Airport (712 out of 1,000 points) 
• Ontario International Airport (705 points)
• Indianapolis International Airport (695 points)
• Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (694 points)
• Hollywood Burbank Airport (688 points)
• Palm Beach International Airport (682 points)
• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (675 points)
• Pittsburgh International Airport (672 points)
• Albuquerque International Sunport (671 points)
• Jacksonville International Airport (671 points)

About the data: The J.D. Power 2026 North America Airport Satisfaction Study compiled opinions from more than 24,000 U.S. and Canadian airline passengers from July 2025 to June 2026. The study ranked passenger satisfaction across seven key areas (in order of importance): ease of travel through airport; level of trust with airport; terminal facilities; airport staff; departure/to airport experience; food, beverage and retail; and arrival/from airport experience.

Featured image credit: © Oskar Kadaksoo/Unsplash.com