J.D. Power Just Announced The ‘Best Airports In The U.S. & Canada’ & Hartsfield-Jackson Didn’t Rank As High As It Usually Does

Forbes recently released a study conducted by J.D. Power of the best ‘Mega,’ ‘large’ and ‘medium’ airports, and the results were a little surprising to say the least.

First, what counts as a ‘mega’ airport?

Atlanta is on the list of Mega Airports (it is the official busiest airport in the world, after all). J.D. Power described Mega Airports as “those with 33 million or more passengers per year.” And with over 93 million passengers a year… Hartsfield-Jackson is comfortably in the ‘Mega airport’ category!

Where does Hartsfield-Jackson rank on the list of Mega Airports?

After several accolades, including Business Traveler’s 2023 ‘Best Airport in North America’ award, it’s a bit of a surprise: Hartsfield-Jackson ranked #17 on J.D. Power’s list of the best Mega Airports in the U.S.

Here’s the top 20 Mega Airports in the U.S.

1. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (671/1,000)
2. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (643/1,000)
3. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (633/1,000)
4. John F. Kennedy International Airport (628/1,000)
5. Dallas/Forth Worth International Airport (623/1,000)
6. (tie) Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas (611/1,000)
7. (tie) San Francisco International Airport (611/1,000)
8. Orlando International Airport (596/1,000)
9. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (593/1,000)
10. (tie) Boston Logan International Airport (591/1,000)
11. (tie) Miami International Airport (591/1,000)
12. (tie) Denver International Airport (588/1,000)
13. (tie) Los Angeles International Airport (588/1,000)
14. George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston (586/1,000)
15. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (585/1,000)
16. Seattle Tacoma International Airport (575/1,000)
17. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (574/1,000)
18. Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (569/1,000)
19. Toronto Pearson International Airport (559/1,000)
20. Newark Liberty International Airport (552/1,000)

How did J.D. Power conduct this study?

Forbes reports,

The ranking of the best airports was redesigned for 2024 and is now based on seven factors, including ease of travel through the airport, level of trust with the airport, terminal facilities, airport staff, departure/to airport experience, food, beverage and retail and arrival/from airport experience. Each airport is rated on a 1,000-point scale.

The highest ranking airport, Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, ranked a 671 out of 1,000 points.