Best mid-sized airports in America 2023

The 2023 airport rankings are based on 30 metrics that encompass the journey, from ticket purchase to takeoff and landing. The magazine evaluated each of the 50 busiest airports in the United States, based on the number of passengers flown in 2022. The evaluation used data from government agencies and a survey of passengers who traveled through each airport during the past two years, conducted by Dynata from September to October, among other sources. Other. The 20 largest airports are ranked separately from the 30 largest.

For this year’s rankings, Reliability Scores, Comfort Scores and Renewal Value Scores each made up half of the airport’s overall score. In past years, the rankings have included an overall satisfaction rating for each airport. This year, the magazine conducted a survey of specific airport amenities that takes into account travelers’ opinions on quality, prices, availability and the range of options for each airport’s different features. There are no airports in the general classification restricted. The links shown in the table are the result of rounding.

credibility

As in years past, the WSJ rankings focused heavily on the 10 factors related to airport reliability. Each factor represents 5% of the airport’s overall score.

Arrival on time: Percentage of flights arriving at the gate less than 15 minutes after the scheduled arrival time. Based on Bureau of Transportation Statistics data from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
Departure on time: Percentage of flights that left the gate less than 15 minutes after the scheduled departure time. Based on BTS data from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
Average access delay: How late are these arrivals on average, in minutes? Based on BTS data from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
Average departure delay: How late are late departure flights on average, in minutes? Based on BTS data from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
Trip cancellation rate: Percentage of trips canceled between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023, based on BTS data.
Average taxi: “Are we there yet?” The time between landing and arriving at the gate, measured in minutes. Based on BTS data from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
Average taxi exit: “Are we ever going to leave?” The time between leaving the gate and take-off in minutes. Based on BTS data from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
Security checkpoint waiting times: Percentage of passengers waiting less than 30 minutes in standard TSA lines, from TSA data for September 1, 2022 through August 30, 2023.
Flight delays due to major security issues: Not to be confused with standard security waits, this metric measures security issues that hinder flights. These include an evacuation of the passenger terminal or concourse, a security breach requiring re-boarding, or screening equipment malfunctioning causing longer than usual lines. Based on BTS data from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
Baggage claim: Weighted average of questionnaire responses about the quality and ease of baggage claim at each airport.

Comfort and value

Comfort and value outcomes focus on everything that happens at the airport. Each factor represents 2.5% of the airport’s overall score.

On some survey-based measures, the differences between the top and bottom performers in the category were small, meaning that the differences in ranking position of the individual components may appear larger than the underlying survey data indicate.

Average local fare: Ticket price data over the last four quarters ending Q1 2023, adjusted for inflation, are averaged from BTS. This year, 12-month data was used to account for fluctuations in ticket prices.
Market share of leading airlines: A measure of airport competition affecting ticket prices. The lower the percentage, as determined by BTS data from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, the higher the score.
UberX fare from the convention center to the airport: We have priced a one-way flight from each city’s main convention center to the airport at 9 a.m. local time in October. 11. The convention center served as a proxy for the city centre. For Newark, we used the Javits Convention Center in New York City.
Non-stop destinations: Nonstop flights reduce travel time, so airports with more numbers score better. This includes international destinations. Data provided by Cirium.
Airport layout: When you’re racing against time to find your gate, how easy is it to navigate the airport? Based on airport patrons’ thoughts on the quality of each airport’s design, according to our survey.
On site parking: Parking a car at the airport is a luxury that saves time, but it can be expensive. How good is the airport parking infrastructure? Based on airport patrons’ thoughts on the quality, price and availability of on-site parking through survey data, as well as the cost of the cheapest on-site parking option at the airport, collected from airport websites.
car rental: Getting from the airport to your final destination sometimes requires a set of wheels, but navigating the airport car rental options can be a headache. How does renting a car compare at each airport? Based on airport goers’ thoughts on the quality, price and availability of car rentals at each airport from our survey, the cost of renting a large sedan from the airport from Hertz for November. November 10 to November 12, 2023.
Taxi/ride sharing: At the end of the trip, is it easy to find the right area for ground transportation? Based on publications’ thoughts on the quality and availability of taxi and ride-sharing options at each airport, according to our survey.
Bathrooms: The only thing worse than an unsanitary bathroom is a lack of bathroom stalls. Based on travelers’ opinions on the quality and availability of restrooms at each airport, according to our survey.
Lounges: What is the lounge status for those who have access to the airport clubs? Based on airport patrons’ thoughts on quality, price, availability and range of lounge options at each airport, according to our survey.
Wifi: An airport may advertise free Wi-Fi, but how well does it actually work? Based on travelers’ thoughts on the quality and availability of Wi-Fi at each airport, according to our survey. Wi-Fi scores are combined with Outlets scores in the table, but are calculated separately in the ranking.
Ports: Dead electronics can hinder a trip. Based on publications’ thoughts on the quality and availability of electrical outlets at each airport, according to our survey. Port scores are combined with Wi-Fi scores in the display, but are calculated separately in the rankings.
Restaurants: How is food stacked at each airport? Based on fliers’ thoughts on quality, availability, price and range of restaurant options at each airport, according to our survey. Restaurant scores are combined with restaurant scores in the table, but are calculated separately in the rankings.
Bars: Which airport serves drinks best? Based on travellers’ thoughts on quality, availability, price and range of bar options at each airport, according to our survey. Bar scores are combined with restaurant scores in the screen, but are calculated separately in the rankings.
the shopping: From last-minute souvenirs to luxury items, what kind of pre-flight shopping is available? Based on airport patrons’ thoughts on quality, price and range of shopping options at each airport, according to our survey.
Water filling stations: It is important to be hydrated while flying. Based on posts’ thoughts on the quality and availability of water fountains or water bottle filling locations, according to our survey.
Facilities for parents and children: Traveling with young children can be a challenge for parents. Which airports provide the best amenities for travelers with children? Based on travelers’ opinions about the quality and availability of areas designated for parents and children, according to our survey.
Airport Advertisements: Gate changes can add stress to a flight – even more so if the announcement is difficult to hear. Based on publications’ opinions on the visibility of announcements occurring at the airport, according to our survey. Airport advertising scores are combined with airport employee scores in the table, but are calculated separately in the ranking.
Airport staff: With everyone rushing through airports, interacting with staff can be the difference between a pleasant flight and an unpleasant one. Based on travelers’ opinions about their interactions with staff at the airport, according to our survey. Airport employee scores are combined with advertisements in the table, but are calculated separately in the ranking.
Seats at the gate: Does the airport have enough seats for passengers at the gate before they board the plane? Based on traveler feedback on seat quality and availability at the gate for each airport, according to our survey.