Three Washington Area Airports Ranked Below Average

Local airports scored poorly in a recent J.D. Power customer satisfaction survey of travelers.

Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Air Travel

Bold vector editorial illustration of a lone suitcase in a clean, minimalist airport terminal, depicting consumer travel challenges. — Three Washington-area airports received below-average rankings in a recent J.D. Power customer satisfaction study surveying nearly 25,000 travelers. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you feel your local airport provides a satisfactory experience for travelers?

Three major Washington-area airports received below-average rankings in a new customer satisfaction study. J.D. Power surveyed nearly 25,000 travelers to evaluate airport facilities and staff performance.

Why it matters

The findings reflect traveler sentiment across critical transit hubs serving the nation's capital. These low rankings highlight ongoing challenges in meeting passenger expectations for terminal facilities and service.

In the large airport category, which includes facilities with 10 to 32.9 million annual passengers, Reagan National ranked 18th, BWI ranked 19th, and Dulles ranked 21st out of 24 total airports.

The players

J.D. Power

This global company provides data and analytics to track consumer sentiment across various industries including travel.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

This airport serves as one of the primary commercial aviation hubs for the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region.

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

This facility acts as a major regional gateway connecting travelers to the mid-Atlantic corridor.

Washington Dulles International Airport

This international airport is a primary hub for long-haul flights and is planning a massive infrastructure overhaul.

The details

Participants in the survey evaluated several key metrics, including wayfinding, terminal facilities, staff, and retail shops. While all three local hubs struggled, Dulles is scheduled to begin a significant $22.5 billion makeover to address facility needs.

A fatal collision occurred at Reagan National Airport in 2025.
J.D. Power published the customer satisfaction survey in 2026.
A major renovation project at Dulles is slated to begin in 2027.

Travel Outlook

These rankings follow a period of heightened operational scrutiny following the 2025 fatal collision at Reagan National Airport. The results suggest the region's hub infrastructure continues to struggle with capacity and passenger experience demands compared to national trends.

Travelers using these hubs should anticipate potential delays or service limitations until modernization projects are completed. Passengers are encouraged to allow extra time for navigation and security during peak travel periods.

The takeaway

Travelers should remain aware that airport facility scores are subject to change as massive infrastructure investments take effect. Planning ahead for potential congestion remains the best strategy for those navigating the Washington-area transit network.