These are North America's best airports, according to J.D. Power's 2025 rankings
Travelers may face frustrations with high fares, full flights, and drastically changing airline business models, but at least one part of the journey is better than ever: the airport.
That's according to a new report from J.D. Power, which found that consumer satisfaction with North American airports is improving, with scores up across the board from last year. On a scale out of 1,000 points, overall satisfaction with "mega" airports — which J.D. Power defines as airports with 33 million or more passengers per year — was up 8 points. Overall satisfaction with "large" airports, which see 10 million to 32.9 million passengers each year, was up 15 points, while satisfaction with "medium" airports — those with 4.5 million to 9.9 million passengers annually — was up 10 points.
And while scores are up, there are signs of consistency in the firm's 2025 North American Airport Satisfaction Study. For the second year in a row, Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County, California, and Indianapolis International Airport (IND) led their respective airport categories.
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In the "mega" airport category, MSP took the top spot with 660 points (which was actually down 11 points compared to 2024). Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) came in second with 649 points, while Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) came in third with 634 points.
For the fourth year in a row, Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) finished in last place, albeit with a score of 565 — up 13 points from last year.
SNA led the "large" category for the second consecutive year with 730 points, with Tampa International Airport (TPA) coming in second and Dallas Love Field (DAL) ranking third.
In the "medium" category, IND led for the fourth consecutive year. Ontario International Airport (ONT) in California came in second, while Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) ranked third.
The results are based on surveys of 30,439 U.S. and Canadian travelers who passed through at least one North American airport between July 2024 and July 2025. Like previous years, the survey was focused on seven key factors: ease of travel through the airport, level of trust with the airport, terminal facilities, airport staff, experience departing from the airport on the ground, food and retail experience, and the experience arriving at or traveling to the airport.
"A big part of this recent increase in passenger satisfaction is due to recently completed improvements in many airport facilities themselves. A few big capital improvement projects have now been completed and many more are underway or about to break ground," said Michael Taylor, J.D. Power's managing director of travel, hospitality and retail.
One of the other bigger factors improving scores was the availability of original and robust dining and retail options, J.D. Power found. Satisfaction with food, beverage and retail was up 14 points over last year, largely attributed to what J.D. Power described as "authentic local" brands that create a "genuine sense of location."
"A decades long trend of bringing unique, local flavor to the passenger experience has positively impacted the airport experience with these local touches having a major influence on passenger satisfaction," Taylor added.
Here is the full list of airport ratings, divided into J.D. Power's mega, large and medium categories:
Mega Airports
1. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP): 660
2. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW): 649
3. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX): 634
4. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): 620
5. Harry Reid International Airport (LAS): 619
7. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK): 618 (tie)
7. Orlando International Airport (MCO): 618 (tie)
9. Miami International Airport (MIA) - 615
10. San Francisco International Airport (SFO): 613
11. Boston Logan International Airport (BOS): 608
12. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL): 606 (tie)
12. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH): 606 (tie)
14. Denver International Airport (DEN): 596
15. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL): 590
16. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): 589
17. O'Hare International Airport (ORD): 586
18. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA): 583
19. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT): 581
20. Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ): 567
21. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR): 565
Large Airports
1. John Wayne Airport (SNA): 730
2. Tampa International Airport (TPA): 709
3. Dallas Love Field (DAL): 705
4. Kansas City International Airport (MCI): 691
5. Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU): 688
6. Portland International Airport (PDX): 683
7. Nashville International Airport (BNA): 676
8. Vancouver International Airport (YVR): 671
9. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC): 665
10. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY): 664
11. Sacramento International Airport (SMF): 662
12. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI): 650 (tie)
12. San Antonio International Airport (SAN): 650 (tie)
12. San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC): 650 (tie)
15. San Diego International Airport (SAN): 645
16. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS): 643 (tie)
16. William P. Hobby Airport (HOU): 643 (tie)
18. LaGuardia Airport (LGA): 637
19. Midway International Airport (MDW): 631
20. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA): 623
21. Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK): 618
22. Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL): 617
23. Dulles International Airport (IAD): 612
24. Calgary International Airport (YYC): 610
25. St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL): 602
26. Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL): 571
27. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL): 570
Medium Airports
1. Indianapolis International Airport (IND): 713
2. Ontario International Airport (ONT): 709
3. Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF): 698
4. Jacksonville International Airport (JAX): 695
5. Palm Beach International Airport (PBI): 688
6. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE): 685
7. Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW): 683
8. Bradley International Airport (BDL): 675
9. Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR): 663
10. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG): 660
11. John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH): 639 (tie)
11. Pittsburgh International Airport: 639 (tie)
13. Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ): 627
14. Kahului Airport (OGG): 626
15. Eppley Airfield (OMA): 618
16. Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW): 614
17. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE): 611
18. Edmonton International Airport (YEG): 602
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.