The study, conducted by Upgraded Points, evaluated airports based on nine weighted metrics, including taxi-in times, parking costs, cell phone lot accessibility, and on-time flight performance. John Wayne Airport (SNA) claimed the top spot with a score of 85 out of 100, bolstered by an average arrival delay of only 9.6 minutes. San José International (SJC) and Oakland San Francisco Bay (OAK) followed closely, cementing a California sweep of the top three rankings.

Operational efficiency proved to be the primary differentiator between the highest and lowest-rated facilities. While John Wayne excelled in speed, Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) fell to the bottom of the list with a score of 34.1. The contrast within the Dallas metro area was stark, as Dallas Love Field (DAL) secured a seventh-place finish, demonstrating that airport infrastructure and passenger volume significantly dictate the ease of ground transit. In Chicago, O'Hare International drivers face the longest wait times, with a combined average of 45 minutes spent waiting for delayed flights and taxiing to the gate.