Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport ranked third among North America’s mega airports for passenger satisfaction, extending a three-year run near the top of JD Power’s airport study.
The 2026 North America Airport Satisfaction Study, highlighted by KTAR News, gave Sky Harbor 642 points on a 1,000-point scale, behind Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport at 684 and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport at 663. Sky Harbor placed third in 2024 and 2025.
JD Power classifies airports handling at least 33 million passengers annually as mega airports. Its latest results were based on 24,710 surveys from U.S. and Canadian residents who traveled through an airport during the previous 30 days. Responses were collected between July 2025 and July 2026.
The study evaluated ease of travel, trust, terminal facilities, airport staff, ground transportation, food and retail, and arrival and departure experiences. JD Power Managing Director Michael Taylor told The Arizona Republic that Sky Harbor performed above average in six of seven categories and was viewed as reliable and calm. Food, beverage and retail remained its weakest category.
The airport recently announced a concessions refresh featuring more local restaurants and stores alongside national brands. Aviation Director Chad Makovsky said the mix is intended to offer travelers more options and a stronger taste of Phoenix.
Sky Harbor’s ranking comes during a period of heavy traffic. The airport served more than 51.6 million passengers in 2025, and March 2026 became its busiest month on record with 5.13 million travelers. More than 1,300 aircraft arrive or depart on an average day.
JD Power said satisfaction increased across all airport size categories as major construction projects, clearer signs and more locally distinctive terminals improved the travel experience. Tampa International Airport led the large-airport category, while Charleston International Airport ranked first among medium airports.
