A New Study Reveals the Most (and Least) Stressful Airports in the Country

How the Study Worked

Mozio scored each airport out of 10, pulling data on flight delay performance from federal sources, parking rates from official airport websites, and commute times using Google Maps with consistent departure times across all locations. The idea is straightforward: the airport experience doesn't start and end at the gate. Getting there, paying to park, and actually making your flight on time are all part of it.

The Most Stressful Airports in the Country

Chicago O'Hare took the top spot as the most stressful airport in the study. More than a quarter of flights depart outside of their scheduled window, parking runs $43 per day, and the drive to the city center averages about an hour. It's the third busiest airport in the country, which means those delays and that commute are hitting an enormous number of travelers.

New York dominated the rest of the top spots, with all three metro area airports landing in the top four. LaGuardia came in second, driven largely by the highest daily parking rate in the entire study at $80, plus a nearly hour-long commute to Manhattan. JFK and Newark tied for third. JFK charges $70 per day for parking and takes about 56 minutes to reach Times Square in normal traffic. Newark matches that parking rate but has a slightly shorter commute, around 31 minutes to Penn Station, though its on-time performance is lower.

The full ranking of the most stressful airports in the study:

1. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

2. LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

3. John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport (JFK/EWR) — tie

4. Denver International Airport (DEN)

5. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (FLL/DFW) — tie

6. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

7. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport, and Miami International Airport (DTW/IAH/MIA) — tie

The Least Stressful Airports in the Country

Minneapolis-Saint Paul came out on top as the least stressful major airport in the United States, with a score of just 1.76 out of 10. More than 81 percent of flights depart on time, parking averages $30 per day, and the drive to the city center takes about 20 minutes. It performed well across every single factor, which is what earned it the top ranking rather than excelling in one area at the expense of another.

The full ranking of the least stressful airports in the study:

1. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)

2. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

3. San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

4. Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas (LAS)

5. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)

6. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

7. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

8. Orlando International Airport (MCO)

9. Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)

10. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport, and Miami International Airport (DTW/IAH/MIA) — tie

What This Actually Means for How You Travel

If you're routing a connection through a major hub, this is worth factoring in. A layover through O'Hare during a peak travel period carries real delay risk. If your itinerary gives you the option to connect through Minneapolis, Phoenix, or Charlotte instead, the data suggests you'll have a smoother experience.

For anyone driving to the airport, the gap in parking costs is significant. Paying $80 a day at LaGuardia versus $30 at MSP adds up fast on a week-long trip. If you're flying out of a high-cost airport, it's worth comparing off-site parking options or factoring rideshare costs into your budget before you go.

And if you're booking a trip and have flexibility on which New York area airport to use, the three options, LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark, each have trade-offs. LaGuardia is closest to Manhattan but has the worst parking rates. Newark is fastest to reach by car but has lower on-time performance. JFK sits in the middle on most metrics but handles the largest international volume, which can mean longer security and customs lines.

Stress is part of travel. But some of it, it turns out, is more avoidable than others.

Frequently Asked Questions: Most Stressful Airports in the US

What is the most stressful airport in the United States?


According to a 2026 study by Mozio, Chicago O’Hare International Airport ranks as the most stressful. It scored poorly on flight delays, parking costs, and commute time to the city center.

What is the least stressful major airport in the United States?


Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport came in as the least stressful, with a score of 1.76 out of 10. It has an on-time departure rate above 81 percent, parking around $30 per day, and about a 20-minute drive to the city center.

How did Mozio calculate airport stress scores?


The study evaluated the 20 busiest U.S. airports using three factors: the percentage of flights departing within 15 minutes of schedule, daily parking costs from official airport websites, and driving time to a central city landmark.

Which New York area airport is the least stressful?


Newark Liberty International has the shortest commute at around 31 minutes to Penn Station, though its on-time performance is slightly lower than JFK. LaGuardia has the highest parking costs at $80 per day. All three ranked among the most stressful overall.

Is Dallas Fort Worth a stressful airport?


DFW tied for sixth most stressful in the study, with one of the lowest on-time departure rates, just 69.5 percent of flights leaving within 15 minutes of schedule.

Should I avoid connecting through O’Hare?


If you have flexibility, the data suggests choosing a lower-stress hub like Minneapolis, Phoenix, or Charlotte can reduce your chances of delays. O’Hare sees delays on more than a quarter of departures, which can affect connections.

Which airports have the most expensive parking?


LaGuardia tops the list at $80 per day, followed by JFK and Newark at $70 each. Chicago O’Hare charges about $43 per day.

Which airports are best for a smooth layover?


Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Phoenix Sky Harbor, and San Francisco International all scored well on on-time performance, making them solid choices for connections.