Seattle Times business reporter
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has languished near the bottom of customer satisfaction rankings for years. But after billions of dollars in investments, the airport has achieved a remarkable feat: It’s finally average.
According to a survey released Wednesday by data analytics firm JD Power, the airport climbed six spots from No. 17 to No. 11 among 20 “mega” U.S. airports, making it the most improved.
The survey, conducted from July 2025 to July 2026, asked nearly 25,000 U.S. or Canadian residents who traveled during that time about their experiences navigating the airport, getting through security, using airport facilities, dealing with luggage, dining and shopping.
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport ranks highest among “mega” airports, followed by Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.
In the “large” airport category, Portland International Airport — widely praised for its new main terminal featuring a 9-acre undulating wooden roof made of Douglas fir — ranks second.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has undergone major renovations in recent years as part of a $5.5 billion capital-improvement program.
The upgrades include its $399 million C Concourse expansion, completed in June, which increased the existing 81,000-square-foot building to more than 225,000 square feet.
The airport also completed a $546 million renovation of the north end of the main terminal earlier this year.
And most recently, the airport announced it will start construction on 17 new dining and retail options as soon as next year.
“If you haven’t seen (the airport) recently, you’re going to love it!” the airport wrote in a social media post about the new survey results. “Even more to come starting 2027.”
The Port of Seattle will begin a $2.5 billion renovation of the S Concourse next year.
The S Concourse, which hasn’t been significantly updated since the 1980s, won’t include added gates, but it will add a new upper concourse level, expanded passenger amenities and improved dual-level boarding at some gates that could potentially allow simultaneous boarding and deplaning. The project is estimated to be completed by 2034.
In a statement, the airport’s managing director, Wendy Reiter, said staff is thrilled that travelers are starting to notice the improvements.
“We know the last few years have been challenging for customers, especially locals who saw construction walls all the time, but the results are amazing,” she said. “We’re hearing it’s worth it directly from customers, and the goal is to keep it going.”
Alexis Weisend: aweisend@seattletimes.com. Alexis Weisend covers business news for The Seattle Times.