The 2023 airport rankings are based on 30 metrics that span the entire journey, from ticket purchase to takeoff and landing. The Journal rated each of the 50 busiest airports in the U.S. based on 2022 air passenger numbers. The assessment used data from government agencies and a survey of passengers who traveled through each airport over the past two years. From September to October etc. The top 20 largest airports are ranked separately from the next 30 largest airports.
In this year’s rankings, reliability scores and improved convenience and value scores each accounted for half of an airport’s overall score. In past years, the rankings have incorporated each airport’s overall satisfaction rating. This year, the Journal commissioned a study on specific airport amenities that considered travelers’ opinions about the quality, price, availability, and range of options for each airport’s various features. No two airports have the same rank in the overall ranking. Ties shown in the table are due to rounding.
reliability
As in past years, WSJ’s rankings prioritize 10 factors related to airport reliability. Each element accounted for his 5% of the airport’s overall score.
- Arrival on time: Percentage of flights that arrived at the gate within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time. Based on Bureau of Transportation statistical data from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.
- On-time departure: Percentage of flights that left the gate less than 15 minutes after their scheduled departure time. Based on his BTS data from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.
- Average arrival delay: The average delay in minutes for late arrivals. Based on his BTS data from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.
- Average departure delay: The average delay in minutes for a delayed departure. Based on BTS data from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.
- Flight cancellation rate: Percentage of flights canceled from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, based on BTS data.
- Average taxi in: “Are you there yet?” Measure the time in minutes from landing to arriving at the gate. Based on his BTS data from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.
- Average taxi out: It’s “Will I ever leave?” The time (in minutes) from leaving the gate to taking off. Based on his BTS data from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.
- Security checkpoint waiting time: Percentage of travelers who waited less than 30 minutes in a standard Transportation Security Administration line from TSA data from September 1, 2022 to August 30, 2023.
- Flight delays due to serious safety issues: Not to be confused with common security wait times, this metric measures security issues that delayed flights. Those include evacuations of terminals and concourses, security breaches that required planes to be reboarded, and malfunctions in testing equipment that caused longer-than-usual lines. Based on his BTS data from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.
- Baggage claim: Weighted average of survey responses regarding the quality and convenience of baggage claim at each airport.
convenience and value
Convenience and value scores focus on everything else that happens at the airport. Each element accounted for his 2.5% of the airport’s overall score.
Some survey-based measures had minimal differences between top and bottom categories, so differences in ranking positions for individual components may appear larger than the underlying survey data would indicate.
- Average domestic flight fare: BTS ticket price data is an inflation-adjusted average of the most recent four quarters ending in Q1 2023. This year, 12 months of data was used to account for changes in ticket prices.
- Market share of major airlines: It is an indicator of competition at the airport and influences ticket prices. The lower the percentage defined by BTS data from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, the higher the ranking score.
- UberX prices from the convention center to the airport: We calculated the cost of a one-way trip from each city’s major convention center to the airport at 9am local time on October 11th. The convention center served as a proxy for the city center. In Newark, we used the Javits Convention Center in New York City.
- Non-stop destinations: Direct flights reduce travel time, so airports with higher numbers have higher scores. This also includes international destinations. Data provided by Cirium.
- Airport layout: How easy is it to navigate an airport when you’re racing against the clock to find your gate? Our research is based on airport users’ thoughts about the quality of each airport’s layout.
- On-site parking: Airport parking is a time-saving luxury, but it can be expensive. How well-developed is the airport’s parking infrastructure? Based on survey data on airport users’ beliefs about the quality, price, and availability of on-site parking, as well as information about the airport’s lowest prices collected from airport websites. Rates are based on on-site parking option.
- Rental car: You may need wheels to get from the airport to your final destination, but navigating your airport car rental options can be a headache. How do car rentals at different airports compare? Our research shows what airport users think about the quality, price and availability of car rentals at each airport, and from November 10th to November 12th, 2023. Based on the cost of renting a large sedan in .
- Taxi/Rideshare: Is it easy to find a good area for ground transportation at the end of your journey? Our research is based on what travelers think about the quality and availability of taxi and rideshare options at each airport .
- Bathroom: Even worse than unsanitary bathrooms is the lack of a separate toilet cubicle. Our research is based on travelers’ opinions about the quality and availability of toilets at each airport.
- Lounge: What’s the lounge situation like for those with access to airport clubs? Our research is based on airport users’ opinions about the quality, price, availability and range of options for each airport’s lounges.
- Wifi: Airports often advertise free Wi-Fi, but how well does it actually work? Our research is based on what travelers say about the quality and availability of Wi-Fi at each airport. Wi-Fi scores are combined with outlet scores in the table, but are counted separately in the rankings.
- outlet: Malfunctioning electronic devices can disrupt your trip. Our research is based on travelers’ opinions about the quality and availability of electrical outlets at each airport. Outlet scores are displayed in conjunction with Wi-Fi scores, but are counted separately in rankings.
- restaurant: What’s the food like at each airport? Our research is based on travelers’ opinions about the quality, availability, price, and range of options at each airport’s restaurants. Restaurant scores are combined with bar scores in the table, but are counted separately in the rankings.
- bar: Which airports offer the best drinks? Our research is based on travelers’ opinions about the quality, availability, price and range of options at each airport’s bars. Bar scores are displayed combined with restaurant scores, but are counted separately in the rankings.
- shopping: From last-minute souvenirs to luxury items, what kind of shopping can you do before your flight? Our research is based on what airport users think about the quality, price and selection of shopping options at each airport.
- Water station: Hydration is important during flight. Our research is based on flyers’ opinions about the quality and availability of drinking fountains and places to refill water bottles.
- Facilities for parents and children: Flying with young children can be a daunting task for parents. Which airport has the best facilities for traveling with children? Our research is based on travelers’ opinions regarding the quality and availability of areas designated for parents and children.
- Airport announcement: Gate changes can add extra stress to your journey, even more so if the announcements are difficult to hear. Our research is based on travelers’ opinions regarding the clarity of announcements made at the airport. Airport announcement scores are combined with airport staff scores in the table, but are counted separately in the rankings.
- Airport staff: With everyone rushing through the airport, interactions with staff can be the difference between an enjoyable trip and an unpleasant one. Our research is based on travelers’ opinions about their interactions with staff at the airport. Airport staff scores are combined with announcements in the table, but are counted separately in the ranking.
- Gate side seat: Does the airport have enough seats for passengers at the gate before boarding the plane? Our research is based on travelers’ opinions about the quality and availability of seats at each airport’s gate .
For questions or comments regarding this methodology, please contact Kevin McAllister at kevin.mcallister@wsj.com.