9-18-2024 7:12pm

MSP Airport Nnamed Best In The Country

Tom Akaolisa Editor

MSP Airport Nnamed Best In The Country

For the second time in three years, MSP has been named the nation's best airport by J.D. Power.

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport continues to rake in the accolades.

It has taken the top spot in the just-released J.D. Power 2024 North American Airport Satisfaction Study for the second time in the last three years.

More than just coming out on top, it was the highest-ranked airport in each of the study's seven categories that are the basis for the overall award.

Those categories include, in order of their weight in the final ranking, ease of travel through the airport; level of trust; terminal facilities; airport staff; departure/to airport experience; food, beverage, and retail; and arrival/from airport experience. The scores are pulled from more than 26,000 traveler surveys.

“Our purpose is to provide exceptional airport experiences so Minnesota thrives, and this prestigious recognition demonstrates that we are delivering for our travelers,” Brian Ryks, CEO and executive director of the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), says.

MSP is the nation's 18th busiest airport, serving almost 35 million passengers in 2023 and trending up 8% compared to this point last year.

The airport bested Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, which stole the top spot in 2023. On the survey's 1,000-point scale, the Minnesota airport pulled in 671, topping Detroit's 643. At the bottom of the "mega" airport category was Newark Liberty International.

Elsewhere, John Wayne Airport in Orange County took the top spot in the large airport category, and Indianapolis International Airport sat atop the medium category.

Despite racking up accolades — it was also given "best airport" awards by Travel + Leisure and Airports Council International earlier this year — the MAC, which operates MSP Airport, continues to implement improvement projects.

In 2023, the MAC and Delta Air Lines began the airport's largest interior renovation at Terminal 1. The $242 million upgrade will modernize and unify concourses and gate areas. Construction at Terminal 1 is expected to be completed in late 2025.

It has also begun an expansion of Terminal 2 north, which will add two gates, bathrooms, and concession spaces. That project is expected to be completed in 2027.