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AIR travel is often stressful due to tight schedules and very detailed inspections. Stress levels increase when travelers fly from airports in the United States. A new study has examined the world’s airports that cause the most stress for travelers. Topping this list is Newark Liberty International (EWR) in New Jersey.
Reported by People, this study conducted by Australian travel insurance company iSelect took a sample of 50 major airports around the world and published a report that ranked them based on flight delays, cancellations, check-in, security waiting times, ease of getting to the airport, and ease of baggage collection.
New Jersey Airports Worst Scores
Newark Liberty International (EWR) in New Jersey received only a score of 18.46 out of a possible top ranking of 100 on the study’s index. The airport had the worst scores for check-in experience and customs and immigration, with only 77% and 66% of reviewers giving the process a positive rating.
The airport had the second worst scores for ease of getting to the airport, at 74% positive, and for security checks, at 70%. The study found that Newark experienced an average departure delay of about 21.4 minutes over the past year and its departure cancellation rate was 1.43%.
“Airports can be stressful at times, but understanding which airports are more likely to cause delays or longer wait times can help travelers prepare and plan their trip,” said Adrian Bennett, general insurance manager, in a statement quoted by Travel + Leisure.
With governance that is far from perfect, this airport is currently making efforts to increase its passenger capacity to 49 million annual passengers. The new Terminal A was completed in 2023 and officials broke ground on AirTrain Newark in October 2025.
“This phased development sets the stage for a redesigned Newark Liberty that will accommodate more passengers and aircraft while reducing delays and congestion, delivering a world-class air travel experience from gate to gate,” the airport’s website states.
Top 5 Airports That Make You Stressful
Apart from Newark Liberty International, another airport that tops the list is Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon, Portugal. Ranked second most stressful on iSelect’s list, the airport received a score of 22.51 on the index. This airport has the highest delayed departure times with an average of 27.39 minutes. However, this airport got the best score for ease of access.
Manchester Airport in the UK was ranked third most stressful with the worst baggage claim score in the index. Two other airports in the US ranked fourth and fifth most stressful were John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
This study also assessed the airports in the world that cause the least stress for tourists. Airports on this list include Changi Airport in Singapore, Hamad International Airport in Doha in Qatar, and Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea. [sources/photo special]
