Minneapolis Airport Outpaces Detroit and More as Best US Airports Redefine the Passenger Journey
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Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport has become the top mega airport in North America. It has won this place for the third year in a row. The new J.D. Power study gives Minneapolis–Saint Paul Airport a score of 684 out of 1,000. This is a big win for Minnesota. It is also an important sign for travellers, airlines and tourism leaders across the United States.
The airport stands ahead of Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, which scored 663, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, which scored 642. In the large airport group, Tampa International Airport took first place with 715 points. Portland International Airport came second with 708. Dallas Love Field came third with 698.
These airports are not just winning awards. They are showing a new way to make flying easier, calmer and more enjoyable.
Minneapolis–Saint Paul Wins the Mega Airport Race
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, also known as MSP, handled more than 36 million passengers in 2025. That is a huge number of people. Yet the airport still gave travellers a better experience than other major airports in its group.
Mega airports handle at least 33 million passengers a year. These airports are large, busy and often hard to manage. Long walks, full waiting areas, busy security points and confusing signs can quickly upset travellers. MSP has worked to reduce these problems.
The airport has invested in terminal improvements. It has created wider spaces, more seats and better routes through the building. These changes help people move from check-in to security, gates and baggage areas with less stress.
This matters because an airport is often the first place a visitor sees. A smooth arrival can make a traveller feel good about a city before the trip has even started. For Minnesota, MSP is more than a transport hub. It is a front door for leisure visitors, business travellers and people visiting family.
Detroit and Phoenix Prove Big Airports Can Still Feel Easy
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport came second among mega airports. It remains one of the most important aviation gateways in the Midwest. It is Michigan’s busiest airport and a major airline hub. This gives Detroit strong links to cities across the United States and around the world.
Its high score shows that size does not always mean poor service. Large airports can work well when they help passengers find their way, offer useful services and keep travel simple.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport came third in the mega airport group. Phoenix is growing quickly as a travel destination and business centre. The airport welcomed a record 52.33 million passengers in 2024. This was a rise of 7.5% from the previous year.
Phoenix is also building for the future. Its Terminal 3 North 2 Concourse project will add around 173,000 square feet of space. More room can help an airport serve extra flights and passengers without making the terminal feel too crowded.
Phoenix shows a key lesson for travel leaders. Growth is good, but growth must be planned. An airport needs more than new routes. It needs space, clear signs, good food, clean facilities and easy access.
Tampa Takes the Highest Score of the Leading Group
Tampa International Airport earned 715 points. This is the highest score among the six airports in this report. Tampa competes in the large airport category, which includes airports handling between 10 million and 32.9 million passengers a year.
Tampa has long been known for its easy terminal design. Its latest plans aim to keep that advantage as demand grows. The airport is building the new Airside D terminal. The project will add 16 gates and is expected to raise the airport’s annual capacity from about 25 million passengers to 35 million.
This is important for Florida tourism. Tampa is a key gateway for beach holidays, cruises, sports events, family trips and business travel. A better airport can make the whole destination more attractive. It can also help airlines add more services.
Tampa’s success shows that passengers value simple travel. They want fewer confusing steps. They want clean places to sit. They want good food. They want to feel that the airport respects their time.
Portland Makes the Airport Feel Like the City
Portland International Airport has taken a different path. It finished second among large airports with 708 points. Its major terminal transformation has focused on space, comfort and local character.
The project has brought better walking routes, more seats, easier access to baggage claim and new areas for people meeting arriving travellers. Portland has also used local businesses, food and design to give the airport a strong sense of place.
This is a powerful idea. Travellers do not want every airport to look the same. They want to feel the city they are visiting. Local restaurants, local shops and local design can make an airport part of the trip rather than just a place to wait.
Portland’s model can also support the local economy. When small and local businesses get airport space, visitors can discover the destination before leaving the terminal.
Dallas Love Field Shows the Value of Simplicity
Dallas Love Field ranked third among large airports with 698 points. It does not need to be the biggest airport to make a strong impact. Its result shows that a city-focused airport can give travellers a very good experience.
Love Field serves the Dallas region alongside the much larger Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Its success underlines the value of shorter journeys through the airport, direct services and an easier layout.
For many passengers, the best airport experience is not about luxury. It is about feeling safe, finding the gate quickly and getting on the plane without worry.
| Rank | Airport | City and State | Airport Category | J.D. Power Score | Key Strength | Major Development | Tourism and Travel Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport MSP | Minneapolis–Saint Paul Minnesota USA | Mega Airport | 684 | Clear passenger flow wider spaces more seating and improved terminal movement | Ongoing terminal upgrades with wider corridors better gate seating and improved passenger areas | Supports Minnesota leisure business and connecting travel with a smooth first and last impression |
| 2 | Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport DTW | Detroit Michigan USA | Mega Airport | 663 | Major Midwest connectivity efficient hub operations and wide domestic and international reach | Continued airport access and passenger experience improvements | Strengthens Detroit tourism business travel events and international connections |
| 3 | Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport PHX | Phoenix Arizona USA | Mega Airport | 642 | Fast-growing network strong desert tourism gateway and upgraded terminal experience | Terminal 3 North 2 Concourse adds about 173,000 square feet of new passenger space | Supports rising demand for Arizona resorts outdoor travel conventions and winter tourism |
| 1 | Tampa International Airport TPA | Tampa Florida USA | Large Airport | 715 | Easy layout strong passenger service and simple terminal journey | New 16-gate Airside D project aims to lift capacity from about 25 million to 35 million passengers annually | Supports Florida beach holidays cruises sports tourism family travel and business arrivals |
| 2 | Portland International Airport PDX | Portland Oregon USA | Large Airport | 708 | Local food local retail nature-led design and calmer terminal spaces | Nearly $2 billion terminal transformation with shorter walking routes more seating and improved baggage access | Gives visitors an immediate Oregon experience while supporting local businesses and city tourism |
| 3 | Dallas Love Field DAL | Dallas Texas USA | Large Airport | 698 | City-focused travel easier navigation and a simpler passenger journey | Terminal and passenger-service improvements support smoother travel | Offers a convenient Dallas gateway for domestic business trips leisure visits and weekend travel |
| — | Cleveland Hopkins International Airport CLE | Cleveland Ohio USA | Medium Airport | 597 | Ongoing renewal plans may improve future passenger experience | $1.6 billion airport overhaul programme is underway | Shows why investment in terminals signage services and passenger comfort is vital for city tourism recovery |
Better Airports Bring Better Tourism Results
J.D. Power found that passenger satisfaction is rising even as airports remain busy. The main reason is clear. Airport investments are beginning to work.
The study says clear signs, easy routes, helpful staff, terminal facilities and local food and retail all matter. It also found that passengers with a perfect airport experience spend an average of $47.60 inside the terminal. That is $20.22 more than travellers who say their experience was only just okay.
This creates a clear message for the travel industry. Better airports support tourism. They help visitors feel welcome. They encourage spending. They improve a destination’s image.
Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Detroit, Phoenix, Tampa, Portland and Dallas Love Field are now showing what the next chapter of American airport travel can look like: bigger where needed, simpler where possible and built around the passenger.
Image Credit: metroairports.org
