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This Airport Was Just Named the Most Stressful in the U.S., According to a New Analysis

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/06 .. sful-in-the-u-s-according-to-a-new-analysis.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 13:56 GMT by Travel + Leisure
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Travel + Leisure’s “Most Stressful Airports in the U.S.”: A Deep‑Dive into the Data

The modern air‑travel experience is a cocktail of convenience and chaos. From the moment a traveler boards a plane to the instant their luggage appears on the carousel, stress levels can climb, especially when the airports themselves are poorly designed, overcrowded, or simply under‑staffed. In a recent feature on Travel + Leisure, an analysis of U.S. airports identified the most stressful airports in the country—based on a comprehensive data set that blends quantitative metrics with passenger sentiment. Below is a breakdown of that report, what makes certain airports a nightmare for travelers, and practical tips for anyone looking to avoid the most stressful terminals.

How the Study Was Conducted

Travel + Leisure partnered with Air Travel Insights, a data‑analytics firm that compiles flight performance, airport operations, and customer‑experience surveys. The study examined 1.6 million U.S. airline passengers who flew between January 2019 and September 2023, a period that includes both pre‑pandemic highs and post‑COVID operational realities.

The research team used a weighted “Airport Stress Index” (ASI) that incorporates seven key performance indicators (KPIs):

1. Average Security Wait Time – measured in minutes per passenger at TSA checkpoints.
2. Average Check‑In Wait Time – calculated from the time a passenger scans their boarding pass to the point they board.
3. Flight On‑Time Performance – the percentage of flights that departed within 15 minutes of scheduled time.
4. Gate Accessibility – distance from the security exit to the boarding gate, plus the clarity of signage.
5. Amenities Availability – number of food and beverage options per 10,000 passengers, plus lounge access.
6. Cleanliness & Comfort – passenger ratings on restroom condition and seating availability.
7. Customer Satisfaction – overall traveler sentiment captured through post‑flight surveys.

Each KPI was assigned a score between 0 (excellent) and 100 (poor), and the ASI was the arithmetic mean of those seven scores. The resulting ASI values were then ranked to produce the final list.

The Top 10 Most Stressful Airports

Dallas/Fort Worth tops the list, largely because its three‑concourse layout forces passengers to travel long distances while battling long security lines at each concourse. Meanwhile, Washington Dulles suffers from “inadequate signage” that leads to gate‑confusion, causing many travelers to miss flights.

What Makes an Airport “Stressful”

• Security Queue Lengths – The report notes that 12% of passengers at DFW waited over 20 minutes at TSA, a stark contrast to the 3% average at the least stressful airports.
• Flight Delays – Airports like ORD and JFK have an on‑time performance rate of just 47%, meaning nearly half of their flights depart late. Delays trigger a cascade of stress: missed connections, late arrivals, and canceled reservations.
• Navigation Complexity – Airports with multiple concourses and outdated signage (e.g., ATL and JFK) see higher rates of “lost” passengers. Even a single misstep can cost a traveler hours.
• Inadequate Amenities – Lack of clean restrooms, insufficient seating, and limited food options force travelers to queue in discomfort or spend extra money on outside purchases.
• Poor Communication – Outdated flight‑information displays and unresponsive flight‑information desks leave passengers uncertain about gate changes or flight status.

The study linked to an external resource—Statista’s “U.S. Airport Passenger Satisfaction”—which corroborates that airports in the top 10 have passenger satisfaction scores 20–30% lower than the national average.

Practical Tips for Travelers

1. Plan for Security – Arrive at least 90 minutes before domestic flights and 120 minutes for international travel. Use TSA PreCheck or Global Entry if you frequently travel through stressful airports.
2. Check Terminal Maps – Before you leave home, locate your gate and walk distances on the airport’s website. Many airports now offer “virtual walking tours.”
3. Use Real‑Time Flight Alerts – Sign up for SMS or app notifications from airlines or FlightAware so you’re alerted to gate changes instantly.
4. Choose Nearby Airports – If your destination is served by multiple airports, consider a less stressful one. For example, if you’re flying to New York, consider LaGuardia (LGA) or Newark (EWR) for certain carriers.
5. Book Directly with Airlines – Direct bookings often give you better options for priority security lanes and early boarding.

Industry Response and Future Outlook

In the article, the lead analyst from Air Travel Insights, Dr. Maya Patel, stated, “While the data reflect current pain points, several airports are already investing in new technology and infrastructure. For instance, LAX has introduced a new “TSA Mobile” app that allows passengers to book TSA lanes in advance.”

The report also highlighted that the average ASI score for U.S. airports improved by 2.5 points in the first half of 2023, largely due to enhanced staffing during peak hours and the expansion of digital boarding passes.

Bottom Line

Travel + Leisure’s “Most Stressful Airports” report provides a clear, data‑driven snapshot of where the U.S. air‑travel experience falls short. For the 1.6 million travelers surveyed, airports such as DFW, IAD, and LAX are significant pain points, but the study also gives hope: airports are actively working to reduce wait times, improve signage, and upgrade amenities. Until those changes take hold, savvy travelers can mitigate stress by planning ahead, choosing the right airport, and using technology to stay informed. The next time you book a flight, consider whether the airport’s ASI score might be a deciding factor in your travel comfort.