Top 10 Best Airports in the U.S. by 2018 Customer Satisfaction

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Less than a week ago, J.D. Power published three different lists with their 2018 rankings of the best airports in the U.S. Do you wonder “why three?” It is because they grouped America’s air hubs by sizes into: (a) mega airports, (b) large airports, and (c) medium airports.

J.D. Power then measured the “overall traveler satisfaction” on six specific fronts: “terminal facilities; airport accessibility; security check; baggage claim; check-in/baggage check; and food, beverage and retail” – in that order of priority. More than 40,000 North America travelers were surveyed, and as a prerequisite the study called for flyers who had their latest “departure” and “arrival” experience(s) within the past three months. As a result, each airport was ranked by passengers on a 1,000-point scale.

With nearly 70 airports evaluated, using the aforementioned criteria, we could focus on anything: from the worst to those “better than most” but we have decided to dedicate our today’s ranking highlighting the best airports in the U.S. So, here they are (with respective three-letter IATA airport codes) for your information.

1. John Wayne Airport (SNA)

This large international airport located in California’s Orange County collected more points that any other airport in America – 815 points

2. Buffalo Niagara Intl Airport (BUF)

Buffalo scored the highest among America’s medium airports – 814 points.

3. Indianapolis International Airport (IND)

Situated just seven miles outside of downtown Indianapolis, with its 810 points, this medium-size airport scored the second place in its group.

4. Dallas Love Field (DAL)

Texas-based large airport that – with its 810 points – scored place number 2 in the large airport ranking

5. Southwest Florida Intl Airport (RSW)

This county-owned airport in the South Fort Myers region of Lee County in Florida landed 810 points, becoming one of the top 3 medium airports in the U.S.

6. Portland International Airport (PDX)

804 points went to this large air hub in the great state of Oregon.

7. Nashville International Airport (BNA)

This Tennessee-based flight destination scored 802 points among US large airports.

8. Las Vegas McCarran Airport (LAS)

Occupying the number one position among “mega airports” McCarran Airport is yet to catch up in ranking points with the above options. It ended up with 781 points.

9. Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Orlando Airport, actually, scored 781 points just as McCarran above. This would make the number one place a tie in their airport group.

10. Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)

This Wayne County mega airport came third in the respective ranking, landing 775 points according to traveler satisfaction.

I must admit, I was unpleasantly surprised not to see one of my favorite airports – San Francisco’s International Airport (SFO) – among the top ones. It is up there in the rankings, but only as number 10 on the list of mega airports (see the below graphic).

Based on all my worldwide travel, I can assure anyone that it isn’t too common to encounter an airport that has a yoga room, a meditation and self-reflection room, multiple kids-oriented areas and playgrounds, and multiple museum exhibits – all under one roof – and SFO has them all. But my surprise with San Francisco not ranking high (enough) may be subjective. So, if you have any travel experience with any of the above-listed airports or any that have not been showcased here, please do add your comments using the respective field below. We (and other readers and travelers) do want to hear from you. It is this cumulative knowledge that will help us all.

And, should you travel (or wish to travel) frequently, do check out our posts on the best personal credit cards for travel, best business ones for the same, and also our list of the best online stores to shop for luggage.

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