Overall passenger satisfaction rose across every North American airport size category in 2026, with medium airports posting the largest gain at 16 points, according to the 2026 JD Power North America Airport Satisfaction Study. Mega airports gained 14 points and large airports 13 points year over year, even as passenger volumes stayed high.

The study draws on 24,710 completed surveys from U.S. and Canadian residents who traveled through at least one eligible airport in either country, conducted between July 2025 and July 2026. It measures airports across seven factors, including ease of travel, terminal facilities, airport staff, food and retail, and arrival and departure experiences.

Construction Programs Correlate With Rankings

JD Power found that the highest-ranked airports in each category have recently completed or are nearing completion of major capital improvement programs. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport ranked highest among mega airports, Tampa International Airport led the large-airport category, and Charleston International Airport topped the medium-airport segment.

The correlation matters for airport owners and construction teams because it ties physical works — terminal expansions, renovations, circulation improvements, signage and concessions — to measurable outcomes in how travelers experience a facility. Projects that add capacity or modernize terminal areas directly affect wayfinding, gate access, amenities and the movement of passengers through the building.

Signage and Wayfinding Weigh Heavily

The study identified clear signage and effective wayfinding as important elements of satisfaction. Terminal design that reflects the character of the surrounding city or region also contributed to the passenger experience, suggesting that design choices carry operational weight long after construction ends.

Food, beverage and retail programs improved across all segments, with satisfaction rising eight points year over year. Airports that incorporated local brands while retaining familiar national options performed better on this factor.

The Revenue Case

The study quantifies the commercial stakes. Passengers who rated their airport experience as perfect spent an average of $47.60 inside the terminal — $20.22 more than those who rated their experience as just OK. For airport operators funding multibillion-dollar capital programs through concession revenue, that spread represents a direct financial return on passenger-experience investment.

Beyond Capacity

The findings reinforce that airport capital programs can address more than physical capacity. Terminal configuration, passenger circulation, amenity placement and local design elements all factor into how a completed facility performs day to day, and the 2026 results suggest sustained travel demand has not prevented airports mid-construction from improving satisfaction scores.

For the construction industry, the takeaway is that designing and delivering projects which improve circulation, terminal functionality and the passenger environment — while accommodating high traffic — now has current, survey-based evidence behind it. As the next wave of terminal programs moves toward completion, the 2027 study will show whether the correlation between capital investment and satisfaction holds at scale.