15 US Airports Voted The Most Stressful
15 US Airports Voted The Most Stressful
Traveling can be fun, but getting through the airport? Not so much. Airports can be stressful places with long lines, delays, and confusing layouts. To make things a bit easier, StressFreeCarRental.com released their 2024 USA Stressful Airport Index.
This guide ranks airports from the most to least stressful based on factors like passenger satisfaction, parking costs, and how easy they are to navigate. If you’re planning a trip soon, it might be helpful to know which airports could make your travel smoother and which ones might be a bit more hectic.
15. Phoenix International Airport
Phoenix International Airport is a breath of fresh air for travelers looking for a smooth start or end to their trips. With 44.3 million passengers flying to 145 destinations yearly, it’s impressive how Phoenix keeps things calm and collected.
The airport scores a solid 83% satisfaction rate on Flightradar24, where travelers praise its efficiency and cleanliness. Plus, parking won’t break the bank here; it’s about $72 for a week, which is way cheaper compared to other airports. It’s clear why it’s ranked as the least stressful in the 2024 index.
14. San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco International Airport sees a lot of footfall with 20.4 million passengers yearly. Despite being busy, its location close to the city center and a high passenger satisfaction score of 83% make it less stressful than others.
However, parking here is on the pricey side, costing about $175 for a week. So, while the airport itself might not fray your nerves, the parking fees might.
13. George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston
Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport is a giant, sprawling over 10,000 acres and serving around 20 million passengers a year. It’s one of the least stressful airports on the index, partly due to its cheap parking rates — the cheapest in the index.
With a decent satisfaction rating of 80% and a broad network of 184 destinations, it’s a reliable choice for both domestic and international travelers.
12. Charlotte Douglas International Airport, North Carolina
Charlotte Douglas International Airport, just over 7 miles from Charlotte’s center, is a favorite among travelers, scoring low on the stress meter. With parking at about $94 for a week and easy navigation praised by travelers, it’s no wonder why.
Serving over 21 million passengers to destinations like Rome and Tulum, it’s both an accessible and user-friendly gateway.
11. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, while offering less destination variety than other major airports, compensates with its efficient location about 12 miles from downtown Seattle.
It has a high satisfaction rating, but be prepared for steep parking fees at $376 for a week. The accessibility via car or Link light rail and the overall positive feedback on its operations help balance out the high parking costs.
10. Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas
Las Vegas’s Harry Reid International Airport ranks fairly low on the stress index, possibly because it’s just a quick 10-minute ride from the city’s buzzing center.
Although parking is expensive at about $250 for a week, the airport’s proximity to the Strip and an 82% satisfaction rating make it a relatively hassle-free gateway to and from Las Vegas.
9. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
As the busiest airport in this list, Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta handles a staggering 45.4 million passengers each year. While it might seem like a recipe for stress, the airport does a great job at maintaining a high level of passenger satisfaction, thanks to ample amenities and efficient services.
It ranks as the ninth-most stressful, which is decent considering its massive passenger volume.
8. Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey
Newark Liberty International might challenge your patience a bit more than others. It’s not just the trek to New York City that might tire you but also its lower satisfaction score of 71% on Flightradar24. Renovations have improved some aspects, but issues with Wi-Fi, TSA, and dining options still linger.
7. Orlando International Airport in Florida
Orlando International serves as the main airport for those visiting Disney World and Universal Studios. It manages to keep stress at bay with a relatively good satisfaction score and its proximity to the city. However, parking here can be pricey, which might add a little stress to your budget.
6. Miami International Airport
Miami International deals with a fair share of stressed travelers, landing it in the sixth spot for most stressful airports. With a lower satisfaction score and complaints about Wi-Fi and TSA, it’s not the calmest start to a vacation. Plus, getting to places like South Beach can take a while, and parking isn’t cheap.
5. Los Angeles International Airport
LAX could be trying for travelers. It’s busy, hard to get to, and has one of the lower satisfaction ratings on the index. If you’re flying out of LAX, give yourself plenty of time to navigate through its complexities and maybe save up some patience too.
4. Denver International Airport
Denver’s giant airport is busy but not as nerve-wracking as you might think, considering its size. It’s the largest in the US and ranks fourth in terms of stress. Affordable parking and a relatively quick connection to the city center by rail make it a bit easier on travelers.
3. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport
Dallas-Fort Worth is huge and busy but surprisingly manageable, with an 84% satisfaction rate. It’s big on both size and service, offering numerous lounges and dining options, which helps lessen the stress despite the crowds.
2. John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York
JFK in New York is almost at the top of the stress list, mainly due to its pricey parking and challenging access. It also scores low in satisfaction due to poor Wi-Fi and a tough TSA experience.
1. Chicago O’Hare International Airport
And the winner for the most stressful airport? Chicago’s O’Hare. It sees millions of passengers and serves numerous destinations, but its distance from the city center and high parking fees make it the most challenging accordingly to the index. If you’re flying from O’Hare, planning ahead is key.
Each airport has its quirks and qualities, and knowing what to expect can help make your travel experience smoother. Whether you’re dealing with high parking fees, long distances, or just a massive crowd, a little knowledge goes a long way.
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We are Mary and Eric, the founders of Be Right Back, a blog dedicated to romance around the globe and at home.
We are Mary and Eric, the founders of Be Right Back, a blog dedicated to romance around the globe and at home. With over 10 years of experience in dating and traveling to romantic places, we share our favorite date ideas and romantic destinations to help couples level up their relationships. Having lived in and traveled through the USA, we also share our favourite things to do in the States.
With 70,000 monthly readers and 16,000 followers on social media, Be Right Back is your go-to resource for romantic trip ideas and couple activities at home and abroad.