J.D. Power’s 2026 North America Airport Satisfaction Study is out, and the results split sharply between airports getting it right and airports still digging out. Newark Liberty and Chicago O’Hare tied for last among mega airports at 585 points on a 1,000-point scale. Philadelphia finished last among large airports for the sixth consecutive year at 596, and Cleveland Hopkins came in last among medium airports at 597. The study scores terminal facilities, ease of navigation, staff, food and retail, and the overall arrival and departure experience.
For Suncoast travelers, the headline is local. Tampa International topped all large airports with 715 points, the highest score in its category. Charleston led medium airports at 712, and Minneapolis-Saint Paul was best among mega airports at 684. With snowbird season approaching, that TPA ranking is a genuine point of pride for anyone flying family in and out of the region. It also means the airport will be busy, so plan your pickup accordingly.
There’s a fairness question buried in the bottom of the list. Philadelphia improved 26 points and is midway through a nearly $2 billion modernization. Cleveland just completed a $4.8 million checkpoint expansion. Construction drags down scores even when the finished product will be better, which makes you wonder how much of the rankings reflect permanent problems versus temporary growing pains. So here’s our question: does your home airport deserve its score, or is the study grading the scaffolding instead of the building?
