Hopkins is back to the bottom of the barrel
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport has been ranked last among midsize airports in JD Power's annual customer satisfaction survey.
- Familiar territory, in other words.
Why it matters: Cleveland's woeful standings in passenger surveys like this one, which measure traveler satisfaction with facilities, personnel, retail offerings and ease of travel, illustrate the urgency of its comprehensive $1.6 billion overhaul.
Zoom in: CLE managed to claw out of last place in 2025, but dipped back to the bottom this year, scoring 597 out of 1,000 total points — 14th out of 14 airports in the midsize category.
- A distant 14th. The gap between Hopkins and the 13th-ranked airport, Omaha's Eppley Airfield, was equivalent to the gap between Eppley and the third-ranked Indianapolis International Airport.
Yes, but: Cleveland's renovations are likely to bear fruit with travelers.
- JD Power notes that all of this year's highest-ranked airports have undergone "multi-year, billion dollar+ capital improvement projects."
The current ranking nevertheless adds insult to injury, as Hopkins has made headlines recently for unwelcome visitors — mice in Concourse C.
What's next: A brighter horizon.
- Work on the Gold Lot this week made visible progress as crews demolished the "fingers" connected to the east end of Concourse D.
- The lot will connect to the terminal via a covered walkway and shuttle and is expected to open next spring.