North American Airport Rankings

[Fouremco]

Here's an interesting CNN article on the 2024 North America Airport Satisfaction Study from J.D. Power, ranking of airports in North America:

https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/18/travel/airport-satisfaction-2024-north-america-jdpower/index.html?utm_term=1726696105023428352baa74e&utm_source=cnn_Evening+Newsletter+-+Wednesday%2C+September+18+2024&utm_medium=email&bt_ee=rjbgeXsRuw1sJUhKSoiwEHl%2FklwFsQjTlowazLyztNFWMCUR%2Fc0UIYnlV%2Fh1GzzM&bt_ts=1726696105025

 

Perhaps to no one's surprise, only one "mega" airport was rated lower than Pearson:

Least satisfying North American mega-airports

Bottom 5 scorers (in descending order) in the mega-airport category for 2024, on a 1,000-point scale:

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) - 575
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) - 574
O’Hare International Airport, Chicago (ORD) - 569
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) - 559
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) - 552

 

While the final report hasn't been published, this J.D. Power press release has additional information:

https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2024-north-america-airport-satisfaction-study

 

 

[grimace95120]

travelled through 4 out of 5 with YYZ as the most utilized ( my home airport) , and would certainly agree with their assessment 

[*Miss G*]

I think they’re being kind to SEA and ATL.  Have traveled through/to/from all of them and I would place YYZ before SEA.  ATL is just filthy and with horrible employees. No thanks.

[ski ww]

I can't speak for the other airports but didn't think things were that bad. I thought Venice was worse then Toronto. That is not good news for YYZ hope something is done about it.

[*Miss G*]

I agree with @ski ww.  Venice is a disaster.  I can’t believe that FLL didn’t make the bottom of the list! 

 

[truckswain]

I used to dread going to Pearson, so big and always so busy.  However I took a position where I now travel pretty much every week for half of the year all out of Pearson.  Now that I know the airport it is easy to navigate.

 

Having said that at Pearson last month they had changed all the lines for Nexus, MPAC and regular US customs which allowed for people,  seeing how long regular customs, to try the MPAC or Nexus lines, which they could not use which just delayed things even more. It was a gong show.

 

And as a another poster stated FLL should have been way lower on the list, below Pearson for sure!

[Fouremco]

3 hours ago, truckswain said:

And as a another poster stated FLL should have been way lower on the list, below Pearson for sure!

I guess we all have varied experiences. Over the years, I've had no issues with FLL, but all sorts of problems with YYZ. 🤷‍♂️

[Oceangoer2]

That was a JD Power survey of NA airports serving over 33 million in the mega division.  This was another more complimentary survey:

 

"Toronto Pearson pointed to results from a recent survey by Pollara Strategic Insights(opens in a new tab), where 83 per cent of its 2,034 respondents said they were satisfied with their overall travel experience at the airport. The survey also found recent fliers were more than four times likely to consider Pearson a reliable airport than an unreliable one, with 59 per cent of respondents deeming it so.  No other Canadian airport cracked the mega airport list."

 

And:  There was another survey re 'large' airports which showed

 

"However, Vancouver's, Calgary's and Montreal's airports all appeared in the large airports category, placing in 15th, 22nd and 26th, respectively. "

 

I agree if you're not familiar with the airport there are orientation questions, which I'd ask in any airport I think.

[Oceangoer2]

19 hours ago, Fouremco said:

I guess we all have varied experiences. Over the years, I've had no issues with FLL, but all sorts of problems with YYZ. 🤷‍♂️

FLL is small and hard to get lost in....and I find it horribly over crowded for departures/arrivals.  YYZ by size is bound to be confusing but there are more facilities, larger waiting areas well marked for departures, restaurants and bars, etc.  Help for those requiring assistance.  IMO there's no comparison between the two airports.

[lx200gps]

6 minutes ago, Oceangoer2 said:

FLL is small and hard to get lost in....and I find it horribly over crowded for departures/arrivals.  YYZ by size is bound to be confusing but there are more facilities, larger waiting areas well marked for departures, restaurants and bars, etc.  Help for those requiring assistance.  IMO there's no comparison between the two airports.

I guess it all depends on how you define "issues". Like Mt Fouremco, we've had no "issues" with FLL and appreciate it's compact nature. It's maybe 20 ft from the Air Canada check in counters to the AC gates in Terminal 2 and I literally don't think we've ever had to line up at security thanks to TSA Pre-Check. Crowded it definitely is though. That being said, we do hate T2 for it's lack of a Maple Leaf lounge and dreadful selection/lack of decent eateries, which is no better after it's "renovation"

[Oceangoer2]

2 hours ago, lx200gps said:

I guess it all depends on how you define "issues". Like Mt Fouremco, we've had no "issues" with FLL and appreciate it's compact nature. It's maybe 20 ft from the Air Canada check in counters to the AC gates in Terminal 2 and I literally don't think we've ever had to line up at security thanks to TSA Pre-Check. Crowded it definitely is though. That being said, we do hate T2 for it's lack of a Maple Leaf lounge and dreadful selection/lack of decent eateries, which is no better after it's "renovation"

I agree....FLL is compact but lately they have extended the space.  People line up for their flight waaay too early; as you say the counter is right beside this line up.  Maybe you've flown at better times, but there is mass confusion for quite a while before the line is released to the plane.  The 'eatery' is not very good, but when in Rome.....etc.

 

At Pearson, there is a ML lounge which comes with business class or you can pay for entry after you buy your ticket.  There's another lounge which all patrons can use at a cost also.  https://www.loungebuddy.com/YYZ/plaza-premium-lounge-terminal-1-domestic-SIEG1zAF9z  and there is a choice of restaurants, not fine dining, but again...'when in Rome'.....😉