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MSP tops J.D. Power mega-airport rankings for 3rd straight year

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport topped J.D. Power's mega-airport rankings for a third straight year in the 2026 North America Airport Satisfaction Study, scoring 684 out of 1,000.[1]

MSP handled 36 million passengers in 2025, qualifying it as a "mega airport" and placing it as the 17th-busiest airport in North America.[1] The ranking put MSP ahead of Detroit, Phoenix, LaGuardia and Las Vegas' Harry Reid International.[1] J.D. Power based its results on 24,710 surveys of U.S. and Canadian residents who traveled between July 2025 and July 2026.[1] Metropolitan Airports Commission CEO Brian Ryks called the three-peat an "unprecedented achievement," tying it to MSP's service, hospitality and amenities.[1] MSP is Delta's second-largest hub and is the home base of Sun Country, which was recently acquired by Allegiant Travel Co.[1]

J.D. Power defines "mega airports" as facilities that handle 33 million or more passengers per year.[1] The Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal reports MSP ranked first in every category among North America's mega airports in the J.D. Power study.[2]

  1. FOX 9
  2. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal
Transit & Infrastructure Business & Economy
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📌 Key Facts

  • MSP topped J.D. Power’s mega‑airport rankings for a third straight year, posting a score of 684 in the 2026 North America Airport Satisfaction Study.
  • MSP handled 36 million passengers in 2025, qualifying it as a “mega airport” (defined as 33 million or more passengers per year) and making it the 17th‑busiest airport in North America.
  • The ranking placed MSP ahead of other major mega airports including Detroit, Phoenix, LaGuardia and Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International.
  • J.D. Power’s results were based on 24,710 surveys of U.S. and Canadian residents who traveled between July 2025 and July 2026.
  • MAC CEO Brian Ryks called the three‑peat an “unprecedented achievement,” attributing it to MSP’s service, hospitality and amenities.
  • MSP is Delta’s second‑largest hub and is the home base of Sun Country, which was recently acquired by Allegiant Travel Co.
  • The FOX 9 story also provides comparative context by listing the top five large and medium airports in the same J.D. Power study.

📰 Source Timeline (2)

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September 16, 2026
2:58 PM
MSP Airport tops North America passenger satisfaction ranking for 3rd straight year: Study
FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul by [email protected] (Katie Wermus)
New information:
  • Confirms MSP’s exact J.D. Power score as 684 out of 1,000 and specifies that this is the 2026 North America Airport Satisfaction Study.
  • Defines “mega airports” as facilities with 33 million or more passengers per year and notes MSP handled 36 million passengers in 2025, making it the 17th‑busiest airport in North America.
  • Lists MSP’s ranking relative to other top mega airports: ahead of Detroit, Phoenix, LaGuardia and Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International.
  • Details that the ranking is based on 24,710 surveys from U.S. and Canadian residents traveling between July 2025 and July 2026.
  • Provides a fuller quote from MAC CEO Brian Ryks calling the three‑peat an “unprecedented achievement” and tying it to service, hospitality and amenities.
  • Notes that MSP is Delta’s second‑largest hub and the home base of Sun Country, which was recently acquired by Allegiant Travel Co.
  • Adds comparative context by listing the top five large and medium airports in the same J.D. Power study.