North America is home to over 5,000 airports that serve the public, and around 500 of these cater to commercial aircraft. While some of these transport hubs may be innovative and world-famous, not all U.S. airports are equally as appreciated. This article explores the 17 worst airports on American soil, according to tourists who’ve flown through them (and regretted it!).
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Escape.com claims, “If there’s one thing every experienced traveler can agree on, it’s that LAX sucks.” But why? There are several reasons, including crowded, disconnected terminals that take ages to navigate, long security lines, and a confusing layout. Many tourists report missing their flights because they got lost or couldn’t find their terminal!
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Serving the New York City area, Newark Airport is often criticized for its outdated facilities and general atmosphere of neglect and disrepair. Tourists also moan about the prolonged wait times for baggage claims and the lack of comfortable seating. Plus, due to limited dining options, we recommend bringing your own food, especially if you have specific dietary needs or allergies.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
O’Hare can be a nightmare for those unfamiliar with its vast layout, especially for travelers who suffered previous delays or who need to transfer quickly between flights. There are multiple, spaced-out terminals, long walking distances between gates, and a confusing tram system to contend with, plus the local weather regularly causes disruptions and delays.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Like Newark, LaGuardia is another New York City airport known for having old-fashioned, poorly maintained amenities. There are few seating areas, long lines at security, and very little natural light, resulting in an oppressive, closed atmosphere. Although work has started to improve the building, construction is slow, temporarily making the airport even more frustrating.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
This is the world’s busiest passenger airport and has been for years—Statista claims it handled over 75 million travelers in 2021 alone, and its pre-COVID numbers were closer to 110 million! Unfortunately, this intense volume of passenger traffic causes huge baggage claims and security lines, greater flight disruption risk, and a general feeling of impersonality.
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
PHL receives a lot of negative reviews from tourists due to its long security lines, outdated décor, and limited amenities. Travelers often complain about a lack of comfortable seating and that finding an unused, functional socket to charge their electronic devices is almost impossible. There are also limited dining options, with a focus on unhealthy and high-calorie foods.
Miami International Airport (MIA)
This Florida airport can be frustrating due to long lines, inefficient baggage handling, and a general feeling of disorganization and unpreparedness! The airport’s vast size may be impressive, but it doesn’t help tourists feel less disoriented, and many find themselves lost or sprinting from gate to gate due to the long distances between connection terminals.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Despite its large size and modern facilities, DFW doesn’t have the most logical layout, and many travelers claim it is one of the most confusing airports they’ve ever had to navigate! There are long walk times between gates, and going between terminals necessitates using the automated train system (the Skylink), adding time, stress, and complexity to connecting flights.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Dulles can feel isolated and inconvenient for many travelers, especially those unfamiliar with the Washington, D.C., area. Located in Virginia, the airport is, surprisingly, further from the city center than Reagan National Airport (DCA), despite its confusing name. While Dulles offers a modern terminal and efficient staff, the location adds inconvenience and extra expense.
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Denver airport officials hired a Spanish architect to design a modern, inspiring terminal building, but the project has suffered a host of problems, according to the Denver Post. These include a runaway budget, the designer quitting, and criticism about the disruption and ‘creepy’ décor. Travelers have been left dealing with long lines and poor functionality as the project crawls on.
McCarran International Airport (LAS)
Even if tourists can handle the desert heat, Las Vegas McCarran Airport can be overwhelming, especially during peak travel times. Long lines, crowded terminals, and limited seating all make for a stressful and uncomfortable experience. There is also an intense focus on gambling from the moment you arrive, which can be unwanted and intrusive for families and newcomers.
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
DTW is another airport frequently criticized for its outdated facilities and lack of amenities. Travelers complain about the limited selection of cuisines in its few restaurants and fast food eateries and the general feeling of being stuck in the past! Improvements are currently underway but have yet to be completed, meaning there will be more disruption until work is finished.
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
This Houston airport is smaller and much less busy than the nearby alternative option—George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)—yet it has far fewer facilities and only one or two types of cuisine on offer. It might be less stressful and crowded than other airports, but its small size translates to a dull travel experience, especially for passengers who experience air-side delays.
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
This transport hub can be a nightmare to navigate, especially during snowy months when ski season leads to an influx of winter sports tourists. The layout is unnecessarily confusing, and the airport can get exceptionally crowded at peak times. Despite the busy crowds, there are few places to eat or shop in the terminals, so waiting around can be quite boring.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
While PHX has undergone renovations in recent years, some travelers still find it frustrating, with long lines, slow security staff, and very limited seating. There is also a lack of natural light, which may help keep the interior cool in the hot desert climate but leads to an unpleasant feeling of being cramped or even trapped inside!
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
MCO can be a nightmare for families during peak travel seasons, and many travelers heading to theme parks like Disney World or Universal Studios have to endure long wait times, crowded terminals, and limited options for keeping children entertained. Toddler meltdowns are common here, and it can be a very stressful place for both parents and kids!
San José International Airport (SJC)
This small airport in California isn’t all bad; indeed, San José Spotlight reports that some travelers prefer it to larger international options like LAX. However, it has many of the disadvantages of other smaller transport hubs, such as few facilities, entertainment, or dining options. The terminal buildings are also outdated and desperately need modernization.
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