A June 2026 report on travel stress reveals that at Newark Liberty International Airport, passengers encounter the most problems before and after their flights. Experts at Good Guys Injury Law conducted a study comparing the largest travel hubs and the frequency with which tourists experience crowding, flight delays, and long security lines in these airports.
- Newark Liberty International Airport has the worst reviews on Yelp, scoring only 2.4 stars from passengers.
- Tourists traveling through Boston Logan International Airport have to wait the longest in the TSA line, almost 20 minutes on average.
- San Diego International Airport is the most crowded, handling over 20 million passengers each year and launching 500-600 flights each day.
To identify US airports that cause the most stress for tourists, the study examined factors that most influence travel, including passenger density (which quantifies crowding), average Yelp review scores, and TSA wait times. The research also analyzed the airports’ efficiency using on-time departure rates and lost-luggage frequency. All these factors were used in calculating the Airport Stress Score, which ranks them from the worst travel experience (higher scores) to the best (lower scores).
Here’s how the most stressful US airports compare:
| Airport Name | Passenger Density (passengers/acre) | Yelp Review Score | On-Time Flight % | Monthly Searches for “Airport + Lost and Found” | TSA Wait Time (mins) | Airport Stress Level |
| Newark Liberty International | 12.1K | 2.4 | 70.3 | 2.9K | 10.95 | 99 |
| San Diego International | 19.3K | 3.4 | 74.6 | 3.5K | 10.98 | 87 |
| Orlando International | 2.1K | 3.0 | 75.2 | 20.3K | 16.52 | 86 |
| Boston Logan International | 8.8K | 3.1 | 72.8 | 13.1K | 18.83 | 83 |
| Miami International | 8.2K | 2.5 | 75.7 | 16.2K | 13.21 | 82 |
| John F. Kennedy International | 6.1K | 2.8 | 76.0 | 9.6K | 18.15 | 70 |
| Chicago O’Hare International | 5.1K | 3.0 | 74.1 | 21K | 16.81 | 67 |
| Seattle-Tacoma International | 10.2K | 3.1 | 78.9 | 15.7K | 14.22 | 63 |
| Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International | 12.4K | 2.9 | 75.4 | 1.6K | 18.37 | 61 |
| San Francisco International | 4.8K | 3.6 | 75.5 | 13.8K | 21.27 | 52 |
You can find the full report findings with more details by following this link.
Table of Contents
The Most Stressful Airports in the United States
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Newark Liberty International
- Passenger density: 12.1K passengers per acre
- Yelp review score: 2.4/5
- On-time flights: 70.3%
- Searches for lost and found: 2.9K monthly
- TSA wait time: 10.95 minutes
- Airport stress level: 99/100
Newark Liberty International Airport is the most stressful travel hub in the US, with only 7 of 10 flights departing on time. It also has the worst reviews on Yelp, averaging 2.4 stars. One reason for a bad passenger experience is mixed-up luggage, and people search for ‘lost and found’ 2.9K times each month.
2. San Diego International
San Diego International provides the second-worst travel experience in the US, as the most crowded airport. It handles 500-600 flights each day and has the highest passenger density, with 19.3K per acre. The crowding problems were recently worsened by construction, and there are currently no walkways between Terminals 1 and 2. San Diego International scores one star higher on Yelp than Newark Liberty, but it is still only 3.4 stars out of 5.
3. Orlando International
Orlando International Airport stresses out passengers with long waits and delayed flights. People have to spend an average of 16.5 minutes in the TSA line, and one-quarter of all flights don’t depart on schedule. It also has the highest rate of lost luggage, and over 20.3K people have to search for a local ‘lost and found’ service online.
4. Boston Logan International
Boston Logan International Airport stands out for having the longest TSA lines, which average 18.8 minutes. Its rating is just above Orlando International’s, at 3.1 stars on Yelp. Delayed and canceled flights are often the main reason for passengers’ disappointment, and more than a quarter of flights (27.2%) have changes in their schedules.
5. Miami International
Miami International is the fifth most stressful airport to travel through, with over 16.2K people losing their luggage. With 75.7% of flights departing as planned, passengers rate this airport only 2.5 stars on Yelp, the second-lowest rating after Newark Liberty International.
Passenger Rights During Flight Delays and Disruptions
A spokesperson from Good Guys Injury Law commented on the study:
“Travelers are often surprised to learn that passenger protections in the United States are relatively limited compared with Europe. In most cases, airlines are not legally required to compensate passengers for delays unless the issue is directly within the airline’s control. However, passengers still have rights related to refunds, rebooking options, and assistance, and understanding those policies can make a major difference when flights are disrupted.”
About the Study
The study analyzed major U.S. airports using publicly available data related to passenger density, TSA wait times, Yelp review scores, on-time departure rates, and lost-luggage search volume. These factors were combined to create an Airport Stress Score, ranking airports from the most stressful to the least stressful travel experience.
Travel can be stressful even under the best circumstances, but factors such as overcrowding, delays, lost luggage, and long security lines can make the experience significantly worse. By understanding which airports present the biggest challenges, travelers can better prepare for their journeys and set realistic expectations. While some stressors are unavoidable, knowing your rights and planning ahead can help minimize disruptions and make travel smoother.
