JD Power Ranks Southwest Florida International As 3rd Best Medium Size Airport In America
A new study is out from JD Power, the 2024 North America Airport Satisfaction Study, and Southwest Florida’s very own RSW in Fort Myers ranks as one of the best in the country.
The study, released late last week, measures overall passenger satisfaction with North American airports by examining their experience in ease of travel; level of trust with airport; facilities; staff; departure experience; food and retail; and lastly, arrival experience. The airports were broken into 3 size groups with Mega, large, and medium. Medium, which includes Southwest Florida International, is traffic of 4.5 to 9.9 million passengers per year.
JD Power Study Rankings
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport ranks highest in passenger satisfaction among mega airports with a score of 671. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (643) ranks second and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (633) ranks third.
John Wayne Airport, Orange County ranks highest among large airports, with a score of 687. Tampa International Airport (685) ranks second and Kansas City International Airport (683) ranks third.
Indianapolis International Airport ranks highest among medium airports for a third consecutive year, with a score of 687. Jacksonville International Airport (686) ranks second and Southwest Florida International Airport (675) ranks third.
Related: The Biggest Airport In Florida Is Southwest Florida International
Where Southwest Florida International Shines
When it came to negative comments, crowding was a big issue with many travelers. 5% of passengers say they experienced severely crowded conditions in 2024. Even at it’s busiest times, I never felt RSW to be crowded. Also in the JD Power study, 70% of passengers agree their airport should reflect a genuine sense of its city or region. Something RSW does quite well.
Rising prices at the airports may have finally hit their breaking point, however. JD Power states, on average, passengers this year spent $3.53 per person less than they did in 2023 on food, beverage and other items in the terminal. The decline is greatest among large airports where passengers have reduced their spending by an average of $6.31. Travelers are aware of the heavily inflated prices at the airports and are simply no longer willing to spend. I can attest first hand to this. After spending over 6 dollars (it may have been closer to 8) for a pack of gum at O’Hare in Chicago last year, I have not bought a single item at an airport since.
A sentiment shared by another traveler after he spent $12 on this “pizza” at the Miami Airport.
JD Power Study
The 2024 study is based on 26,290 completed surveys. Miami International Airport, and O’Hare International Airport, both mentioned in this article received “below segment average” rankings from JD Power in this study. Someone should be arrested for calling that a pizza.
The Best Local Cuisine Restaurants In Southwest Florida
1. Dixie Fish Company
I can’t believe we almost lost this place. The Dixie Fish Company on Fort Myers Beach was almost wrecked by Hurricane Ian. There was a boat on their front steps. Seriously.
Thankfully, they were able to put everything back together, and according to Tripadvisor it’s the number one spot for fresh local seafood in Southwest Florida. It’s an open air bar/restaurant and has everything you could possibly want from a waterfront restaurant on an island. It’s an absolute must for anyone visiting the Fort Myers area. Us locals love it, too. This is true original Southwest Florida.
