J.D. Power releases annual ranking for nation’s best airports

(CBS, KYMA) - J.D. Power has released its annual rankings for the nation's best airports.

Minneapolis-St. Paul International was the top scoring "mega" airport, followed by Detroit and Phoenix.

For large airports, John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California beat out Tampa and Dallas Love Field, and for medium, the Indianapolis International Airport won for the fourth year in a row, followed by Southern California's Ontario International, and Buffalo-Niagara.

Each of the winners topped the J.D. Power list last year.

Airports that incorporate food and local brands to create a "genuine sense of location" saw a big boost in their scores.

"A good airport does all the blocking and tackling really well. You can get to the airport in a reasonable amount of time. Get through TSA in a reasonable amount of time. The bathroom is clean, there are seats, you can sit at the gate. That's what a good airport does well. A great airport does those things and has a great food beverage and retail program."

Michael Taylor, Managing Director of Travel, Hospitality and Retail, J.D. Power

Taylor says airports are investing in themselves, and it's paying off.

Passengers who rate their airport experience as "perfect" spend an average of $42 in the terminal, $16 more than passengers who rate their airport experience as "just okay."

The findings are based on more than 30,000 flyer surveys.