Chicago’s O'Hare International Airport has been placed at the bottom of JD Power’s annual customer satisfaction ranking for the nation’s 20 largest airports. The survey, released on September 16, 2026, shows O’Hare sharing the last‑place position with Newark Liberty Airport, marking the first time O’Hare has fallen to the bottom of the list.
The JD Power study evaluated passenger experiences across the 20 mega airports, measuring factors such as cleanliness, staff helpfulness, and overall satisfaction. Both of Chicago’s major airports, O’Hare and Midway, scored below the average ratings recorded for the group, indicating a broader challenge for the city’s air travel facilities.
O’Hare’s placement at the lowest rank follows a year‑long period of operational pressures, though the survey itself does not attribute the result to any single cause. The data places the Chicago hub alongside Newark Liberty Airport, which also occupies the final slot in the ranking.
Midway Airport, while also scoring below the overall average, did not appear among the bottom two airports. Its performance remains separate from O’Hare’s in the JD Power findings.
The JD Power survey is an industry‑wide benchmark that many airlines and airports reference to gauge passenger sentiment. Ranking at the bottom of the list may prompt airport officials to review service protocols and address areas highlighted by the study.
The results arrive as O’Hare continues to handle a significant share of the nation’s air traffic, serving as a key gateway for domestic and international flights. Stakeholders are expected to examine the survey outcomes as part of ongoing efforts to improve the traveler experience.
No further details about the methodology or specific score differentials were released in the brief accompanying the survey results.