Was Chicago’s O’Hare Airport Named One of America’s Most or Least Satisfying?

A significant milestone in the aviation industry, a recent J.D. Power survey has just quantified North American air travelers' level of enjoyment from their airport experiences.

They looked at three different airport categories: mega-airports, large airports, and medium-sized airports.

Using mega-airports, I examined the most traveled airports in America, and Chicago's O'Hare was on the list.

Unfortunately, it wasn't at the top.

However, travelers said they were most satisfied with a Midwest-based airport, Minneapolis-Saint Paul International.

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These are the metrics J.D. Power looked at to develop a "level of satisfaction" scale:

• Ease of travel through the airport
• Level of trust with the airport
• Terminal facilities
• Airport staff
• Departure experience
• Food
• Beverage
• Shopping
• Arrival Experience

So yes, O'Hare didn't list among the most satisfying airports in America; it did make another list—the least enjoyable.

Based on the J.D. Power survey, this list highlights areas where O'Hare and other airports can improve to enhance the traveler experience.

Keep Reading: No, Rockford Airport Isn’t Canceling All Flights To LAX & Nashville

Anyone who has traveled out or flown into O'Hare knows it's a zoo.

I secretly hoped things changed, but recent experiences should have made me know better.

The question is, what is O'Hare doing to change traveler's experiences?

Changing travelers' thoughts and attitudes might take time, but the dedicated team at O'Hare has been diligently working towards this goal.

A couple of years ago, they revealed a $8.5 billion plan to refurbish Terminal 5, which appears complete.

Is the team at O'Hare finished? I'd say "No" until they move from the least satisfying list to the most satisfying list.

But their ongoing efforts give us hope for a better future.