North American Airports Recognised for Outstanding Passenger Experience in Prestigious Global Awards
The airports across North America that provide the most exceptional customer journeys have been officially honoured in the annual Airport Service Quality Customer Experience Awards. These prestigious accolades are administered by Airports Council International World, the leading global trade organisation representing airports worldwide. The results are determined through a comprehensive benchmarking programme that measures passenger satisfaction in real-time at participating airports.
Surveying Nearly 707,000 Passengers Worldwide
For the latest awards cycle, close to 707,000 travellers were surveyed globally to gather insights into their airport experiences. The awards highlight facilities that excel across multiple categories, from departure processes to overall enjoyment and cleanliness.
In the highly competitive "best airports at departures" category for facilities serving over 40 million passengers annually, the North American winners were Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas, Orlando International Airport in Florida, and Toronto Pearson International Airport in Canada.
Category Winners Across Different Passenger Volumes
For airports handling between 25 and 40 million passengers each year, New York City's LaGuardia Airport and Salt Lake City International Airport in Utah claimed top honours. In the 15 to 25 million passenger category, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and Tampa International Airport in Florida were recognised for their exceptional service.
The "easiest airport journey" category saw Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport in South Carolina, Indianapolis International Airport in Indiana, and Portland International Jetport in Maine celebrated for their seamless passenger processes.
Multiple Accolades for Standout Performers
Several airports received recognition across multiple categories, demonstrating comprehensive excellence. Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport was additionally honoured in the "most enjoyable airport" category alongside Orlando International Airport and Salt Lake City International Airport.
The Customer Experience Awards, which are sponsored by aviation technology company SITA, also include a "most dedicated staff" category. Here, Greenville-Spartanburg was named once again, alongside Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Portland International Jetport.
Cleanliness and Sustained Excellence Recognised
In the "cleanest airport" category, Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, and Salt Lake City International Airport were celebrated for their exceptional maintenance standards.
Greenville-Spartanburg also earned a place on the prestigious ACI World Director General's Roll of Excellence, alongside Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. This special recognition honours airports that demonstrate sustained leadership in customer experience over an extended period.
Global Winners and Industry Context
Beyond North America, global winners included Punta Cana International Airport in the Dominican Republic, Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport in Spain, and Rome Fiumicino Airport in Italy in the "best at departures" category. Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport in Spain and Monterrey International Airport in Mexico were recognised in the "most enjoyable airport" category.
Airports Council International noted that these results come amid continued air traffic growth globally. Passenger volumes are projected to increase from 9.8 billion in 2025 to 10.2 billion in 2026, placing increasing pressure on airports to deliver efficient, welcoming, and high-quality experiences at scale.
Industry Leaders Celebrate Excellence
Justin Erbacci, Director General of Airports Council International World, commented: "These awards reflect the collective efforts of airport teams and stakeholders worldwide. As we celebrate the ASQ programme's 20th Anniversary, we recognise two decades of trusted insights and recognition that have helped airports create better and more memorable journeys. Congratulations to all the ACI ASQ Customer Experience Award winners for their unwavering dedication to passenger experience."
Pedro Alves, Senior Vice President of Borders at SITA, added: "Air travel is evolving at pace, with passengers expecting more seamless and rewarding experiences than ever before. These awards recognise the exceptional work happening across airports every day to meet these rising expectations."
