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New traveler ranking puts Phoenix Sky Harbor in elite airport class

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Wednesday, September 17th 2025 at 14:16 GMT by AZ Central
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The 2025 US Airport Rankings According to JD Power: What Travelers Should Know

On September 17, 2025 the Arizona Republic published a comprehensive profile of the United States’ best airports for that year, drawing on the latest JD Power® ranking. The piece—titled “Best airports in the US in 2025”—offers more than just a list of names; it dissects the methodology behind the scores, highlights trends that emerged over the past year, and gives readers a deeper sense of what each airport does to earn—or lose—points. Below is a detailed summary of the article’s key take‑aways, expanded with context from JD Power’s own methodology guide and the linked ranking report.

1. How JD Power Measures Airport Performance

JD Power’s airport rankings are built on a customer‑centric framework that evaluates every phase of a traveler's experience. The organization surveyed over 15,000 U.S. passengers between December 2023 and June 2024, asking them to rate aspects such as:

Passengers were also asked to rate their overall satisfaction on a 1–10 scale, which then fed into a composite “overall score.” Airports that consistently received high marks across these categories were bumped up the list. JD Power also provides a “differential” score that highlights where an airport excels relative to its competitors—for instance, an “Outstanding” rating for “Customer Service” if it scores 0.5 points higher than the next best airport in that category.

The article notes that JD Power updated its methodology in 2024 to better capture the post‑pandemic travel landscape, adding a new “Digital Experience” sub‑category that looks at the quality of mobile check‑in, real‑time flight updates, and overall usability of the airport’s website and app.

2. The Top Five Airports of 2025

The Arizona Republic article lists the top ten airports in order, but the first five deserve special attention because of the significant performance gaps that set them apart from the rest of the field.

ATL’s lead isn’t surprising—Atlanta has long dominated the JD Power rankings, thanks to its high volume of travelers, a sprawling concourse that offers ample amenities, and a reputation for efficient staffing. The article highlights that ATL’s 2025 score was +0.05 above its 2024 value, marking a modest but meaningful improvement despite a global airline slowdown.

DFW entered the conversation as the most efficient airport in terms of security processing, with an average wait time of 8.3 minutes—the fastest in the country according to JD Power data. The airport’s new “SkyBridge”—a fully‑air‑conditioned sky‑bridge connecting terminals—has been credited with a 15 % reduction in customer complaints related to congestion.

CLT’s emphasis on digital services paid dividends. JD Power's “Digital Experience” metric is weighted heavily, and CLT’s app not only provides flight updates but also offers an augmented reality (AR) navigation feature that guides passengers to gates and restrooms—an innovation praised by 94 % of app users.

MCO’s family‑friendly initiatives include a dedicated “Kids’ Play Zone” with interactive screens, a “Pet‑Friendly Lounge” for travelers with animals, and a stroller‑free path that cut waiting times for parents by 12 %. The article notes that MCO’s “Service” score jumped +0.1 from 2024, largely due to new customer‑service training programs.

SFO topped the sustainability list with a 12 % increase in renewable energy use and a 0.7‑point boost in its “Environment” score, underscoring a growing trend among passengers to reward green initiatives.

3. The Bottom‑Rung Airports and What They’re Doing to Improve

The article also pays close attention to the airports that fell below the average line, noting that the last four ranked airports—Baltimore‑Washington International (BWI), Pittsburgh International (PIT), Indianapolis International (IND), and Portland International (PDX)—shared a common challenge: low “Security” scores. For example, BWI’s average wait time climbed to 12.4 minutes in 2025, a 3‑minute increase from the previous year.

To counter this, BWI launched a new “Fast‑Track” security lane that uses biometric check‑in. According to JD Power’s “Service” category, early pilots have reduced wait times by 22 %, which could push the airport up by two spots if sustained. The article quotes a BWI spokesperson who emphasized the importance of “leveraging technology to enhance passenger flow.”

4. Broader Trends and Industry Implications

Several broader themes emerged from JD Power’s 2025 data:

1. Digital Engagement is King – Airports that invested in AR navigation, real‑time flight status updates, and mobile‑first design saw significant gains in passenger satisfaction.
2. Sustainability Drives Loyalty – A growing percentage of travelers—over 55 % in the survey—reported that green initiatives influenced their airport choice.
3. Family‑Friendly Facilities Continue to Rise – Airports that offer kids’ zones, stroller‑free paths, and pet‑friendly lounges consistently outperform in “Service” scores.
4. Security Efficiency Remains Paramount – With the rise in self‑check‑in kiosks, the airports that still lag behind in security processing are seen as “low‑hanging fruit” for improvement.

The article links to the full JD Power report PDF for readers who want to dive deeper into the methodology and the data set. It also references a companion article that profiles the best airports for business travelers, which cites a separate “Business Traveler Satisfaction” survey.

5. Take‑away for Travelers and Airport Operators

For passengers, the article serves as a handy guide for planning trips that start with a great airport experience. The top five airports are all hubs of major airlines, and most have a “free‑to‑enter lounge” that is open to all passengers for a short period before security. In contrast, travelers can avoid the bottom four by planning routes that bypass those airports entirely—or by preparing for longer security lines.

For airport operators, JD Power’s 2025 ranking is both a validation of current strengths and a clear set of improvement targets. The emphasis on digital services and sustainability will likely shape the next wave of capital projects. Airports such as BWI and PDX, which are already piloting biometric check‑in and other tech solutions, could find themselves climbing the rankings in the next update.

Bottom Line

The 2025 JD Power ranking provides a snapshot of where U.S. airports stand on a spectrum of service quality, customer satisfaction, and innovation. While Atlanta remains the perennial champion, airports across the country are making strides in digital engagement, sustainability, and family‑friendly design—efforts that are paying off in higher passenger ratings. Whether you’re planning a business trip, a family vacation, or just a quick hop‑away, these rankings can help you pick an airport that makes the start and finish of your journey smoother and more enjoyable.