Barcelona and Düsseldorf lead 2026 World Consumer Airport Index

The Consumer Choice Center has released the 2026 World Consumer Airport Index, which evaluates airports based on passenger experience rather than management metrics. The index categorizes airports into two groups: large hubs serving over 47.2 million passengers annually and smaller airports.

Barcelona-El Prat Josep Tarradellas Airport in Spain was named the top large hub, distinguished by an average security wait time of approximately three minutes. Düsseldorf Airport in Germany led the smaller airport category, noted for having almost instantaneous security processing and strong connectivity.

Evaluation criteria included public transport access (metro and national rail), ease of movement between terminals and gates, number of airlines and destinations, average delays, and on-site hotel availability. Extra points were awarded for security wait times under three minutes and the absence of nighttime flight curfews. Other notable performers in the large hub category included Rome's Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport, Los Angeles, Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, and Paris Charles de Gaulle.