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Ranked: Top 20 U.S. Airports By Passenger Experience
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- Indianapolis tops the list for best passenger experience in the U.S.
- Rankings prioritize ease, not just traffic or amenities.
- Smaller hubs outperformed some of the busiest airports.
What makes an airport truly great? For many travelers, it’s not size or shopping—it’s about getting through quickly, comfortably, and stress-free.
This new ranking from the Washington Post takes a data-first approach to answering that question. Visualized by Julie Peasley, the index analyzes real-world metrics to measure what passengers actually care about: wait times, food options, on-time departures, and more.
The data comes from government sources including the FAA and TSA, combined with user reviews and airport service databases. Unlike many other rankings that focus on amenities or sheer passenger volume, this list zeroes in on passenger experience—how travelers move through the airport, not just what’s inside it.
Explore the top 20 below.
| Rank | Airport | City | Airport Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portland International Airport | Portland, OR | PDX |
| 2 | Long Beach Airport | Long Beach, CA | LGB |
| 3 | Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport | Washington, DC | DCA |
| 4 | Minneapolis-St.Paul International Airport | Minneapolis, MN | MSP |
| 5 | Seattle Paine Field International Airport | Seattle, WA | PAE |
| 6 | Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport | Providence, RI | PVD |
| 7 | Albuquerque International Sunport | Albuquerque, NM | ABQ |
| 8 | Indianapolis International Airport | Indianapolis, IN | IND |
| 9 | Salt Lake City International Airport | Salt Lake City, UT | SLC |
| 10 | Detroit Metro Airport | Detroit, MI | DTW |
| 11 | Tampa International Airport | Tampa, FL | TPA |
| 12 | John Wayne Airport | Santa Ana, CA | SNA |
| 13 | Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport | Milwaukee, WI | MKE |
| 14 | Hollywood Burbank Airport | Burbank, CA | BUR |
| 15 | Ontario International Airport | Ontario, CA | ONT |
| 16 | Columbia Metropolitan Airport | Columbia, SC | CAE |
| 17 | Washington Dulles International Airport | Washington, DC | IAD |
| 18 | Dallas Love Field | Dallas, TX | DAL |
| 19 | Baltimore-Washington International Airport | Baltimore, MD | BWI |
| 20 | Raleigh-Durham International Airport | Raleigh, NC | RDU |
Why These Airports Rank High
Indianapolis International (IND), a relatively small hub, tops the list. It benefits from short TSA wait times, high customer satisfaction scores, and an easy layout. MSP and DTW follow closely, both praised for efficient design and timely departures.
Several medium-sized airports, such as Sacramento, Portland, and Salt Lake City, outranked larger hubs. This aligns with recent traveler surveys showing that speed and convenience matter more than flashy amenities.
Meanwhile, mega-airports like Denver and San Francisco landed further down the list. While these airports serve tens of millions of passengers a year, congestion and delays often drag down the overall experience.
The Key Drivers of a Positive Airport Experience
Several core factors help explain why top performers excel:
Speed and convenience: Recent insights from the IATA Global Passenger Survey show passengers overwhelmingly prioritize smoother, faster journeys, with strong interest in biometric and pre‑airport processes.
Clear communication: Airports offering intuitive wayfinding, reliable mobile tools, and real‑time updates reduce confusion and stress.
Seamless design and technology: Incorporation of self‑service kiosks, virtual queueing, and intuitive terminal layouts contribute majorly to positive experiences.
Cleanliness and comfort: Consistent upkeep, thoughtful seating, and calm waiting zones matter; passengers report these as linchpins of satisfaction.
Human-centric design: Airports that reflect regional culture or include thoughtful design elements can generate stronger passenger connection and satisfaction.
In a world of rising travel volumes and shrinking patience, these rankings reveal which airports are truly designed for people.
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Check out The World’s Busiest Airports, by Passenger Count on Voronoi.