The Best Airport in the Entire Country Is Here In Minnesota (Again)

A new survey from Travel + Leisure once again says the top-rated airport in North America can be found right here in Minnesota.

When you're traveling, there are few things that can mess up your trip more than having problems at the airport. Whether it's getting through security quickly, finding your gate, or getting something to eat or drink before you hop on a plane, airports play a big role in our travels.

Fortunately for us in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, yet another survey has confirmed that you'll find the best airport in North America right here in the Bold North. That's because our own Minneapolis-St. - St. Paul International Airport (MSP) in Bloomington was just named the No. 1 U.S. airport in the 2024 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards.

SEE ALSO: Minnesota City Has Most Mispronounced Name in U.S.

Those annual awards rate airports across the country in multiple categories, including access, check-in and security, restaurants and bars, shopping, and design. And nobody rated better than Minnesota's MSP, which scored 82.23 on the 2024 survey, and jumping three spots from last year's survey, Travel + Leisure said.

This isn't the first time Minnesota's MSP has been singled out as being tops in the nation. Earlier this spring, MSP was again named the best not just in the U.S., but on the entire North American continent according to the ASQ Awards and Recognition survey. 

And, don't forget, MSP was also named Best in North America for four straight years between 2016 and 2019, and also earned a spot on the ACI Director General’s Roll of Excellence in Airport Service Quality in 2020, MSP noted in a release.

Brian Ryks, CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which operates MSP, was appreciative of this latest Travel + Leisure honor, according to a release:

The best accolades are those that come directly from customers and travelers, so it’s an honor for MSP to be recognized by Travel + Leisure readers for industry excellence. Our many partners across the airport community are focused on delivering best-in-class service, creating accessible facilities, offering a refreshing mix of shops and restaurants, and — most of all — providing exceptional airport experiences for our travelers.

MSP is the 19th busiest airport in North America and served nearly 35 million passengers in 2023, up over 10 percent from 2022. and is the second largest hub for Delta Air Lines, as well as the hometown base for Sun Country Airlines. That's a lot of passengers making their way to our fair state, right? So keep scrolling to see some of the most common things we native Minnesotans always have to explain to outsiders!

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