Orlando International Airport
flies high to the top spot in the J.D. Power 2017 study of passenger satisfaction, beating out the nation’s biggest and best-known airports.
Orlando International Airport got a top spot in the J.D. Power 2017 study of passenger satisfaction, beating out the nation’s biggest and best known airports, including those in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.
The Orlando airport got the highest rating among the “mega” airports for overall satisfaction and scored tops for ease of getting to the airport and for facilities within the terminal. It didn’t do quite as well as the second-ranked airport, in Detroit, for checking baggage and security checks.
For restaurants, Miami’s airport got the best mega score, with Orlando, Phoenix and others getting a “better than most” ranking.
Orlando International touted the ranking, stating: “The traveling public has spoken and Orlando International Airport is their choice as the top airport.”
More precisely, Orlando International ranks at the top of airports with at least 32 million passengers annually, a category of mega airports that is new this year for the rankings.
The J.D. Power report said crowding and capacity have become a “huge challenge” for airports.
It also noted that Orlando International has had to deal with packed parking garages and setting passenger records for three years running.
“Despite these difficulties, airports are responding with new technology and old-fashioned personal skills to win over harried travelers,” J.D. Power’s Michael Taylor said.
Last year, Orlando was in the “large” category, ranking fourth, while Portland got the top spot, Tampa took second place and Las Vegas ranked as third best.
Orlando’s score this year improved significantly to 778, up from 751 last year.
However, on the basis of scoring, Tampa — while remaining in the large category — topped Orlando again this year, getting a score of 795.
Three Florida airports in the “medium” category also topped Orlando: Jacksonville scored 797; Palm Beach’s score was 796; and the Fort Myers airport received a score of 795.
Miami was ranked 12th in the mega category, scoring 749, which is three points above average for mega airports.
The J.D. Power report said crowding and capacity have become a “huge challenge” for airports, and noted that Orlando International has had to deal with packed parking garages and setting passenger records for three years running.