Charles de Gaulle Joins Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta, Palma de Mallorca, and Harry Reid as Airports You Should Avoid During Vacation, New Travel Nightmare Awaits

Published on December 4, 2025

By: Tuhin Sarkar

Charles de Gaulle joins Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta, Palma de Mallorca, and Harry Reid as airports you should avoid during vacation in 2025. These once-thriving travel hubs have become major sources of stress for travelers worldwide.

With chaotic terminals, overwhelming delays, and inefficient baggage handling, navigating through these airports has turned into a nightmare. As summer vacations approach, more and more travelers are experiencing frustrations at these airports, from missing connections to dealing with lost luggage. Charles de Gaulle, in particular, has become infamous for its disorganization, overcrowding, and endless delays.

The reality is, airports like Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta, Palma de Mallorca, and Harry Reid are no longer the efficient gateways they once were. If you’re planning a vacation and want to avoid unnecessary chaos, this story will reveal why you should rethink your next journey through these airports. Don’t miss out on this essential travel guide that could save your trip!

Airports are the portals that bring the world together. But in 2025, many of the world’s busiest airports are failing passengers in ways that are hard to ignore. From unbearable delays to overwhelming passenger density, certain hubs are becoming nightmares for travelers. The issue isn’t just confined to one region or country. Major international airports, including those in London, New York, Paris, and Madrid, are facing severe operational crises, making travel a stressful experience. If you are planning to travel in 2025, you need to know which airports to avoid. In this eye-opening report, we’ll take a deep dive into the performance of these airports, backed by shocking facts, data, and insights that will make you think twice before booking your next flight through them.

Charles de Gaulle: Delays and Overcrowding in Parisian Style

In Paris, the iconic Charles de Gaulle Airport is an international symbol of elegance and grandeur, but in 2025, it is far from the smooth travel experience it once promised. Charles de Gaulle is plagued with a 62.10% delay rate, affecting passengers who pass through one of the busiest airports in Europe. Despite its lower passenger density of 2.17M passengers per square kilometre, the airport’s ability to handle delays and overcrowding is significantly below expectations. Add to that its 1.82K lost and found items, and it’s easy to see why passengers are leaving with mixed feelings. Charles de Gaulle’s 50.00 score places it among the least efficient global airports, and it should be on every traveller’s blacklist.

A Global Nightmare for Travelers

When it comes to airports, Charles de Gaulle (CDG) in Paris is often ranked as one of the most frustrating places to travel through. In 2025, this massive hub is more synonymous with chaos and operational failure than it is with efficiency. From confusing layouts and chronic delays to poor customer service and lost luggage, CDG has earned its spot as one of the worst airports for travelers worldwide.

Overcrowding and Flight Delays

Charles de Gaulle Airport handles over 70 million passengers annually, making it one of Europe’s busiest airports. Unfortunately, its sheer size and the massive number of passengers it serves only highlight its weaknesses. The airport is notorious for its long delays, with a staggering 62.10% delay rate, leaving passengers frustrated as they wait for flights that rarely leave on time. The overcrowding at CDG is constant, particularly during peak seasons, making the travel experience feel more like a battle for space than a smooth transit through an international airport.

Complex and Confusing Layout

One of the most persistent complaints about Charles de Gaulle is its complex terminal layout. The airport is a maze, with multiple terminals spread across the space, connected by long walks and shuttle buses. This fragmented design, along with poor signage, leaves travelers disoriented, especially those on tight connections. Navigating CDG can feel like a nightmare, with missed connections and confusion around every corner. Many passengers find themselves relying on the kindness of strangers to guide them, as even locals often struggle to make their way around.

Lost Luggage and Baggage Issues

Another major issue that plagues Charles de Gaulle is its baggage handling system. Travelers frequently report lost or delayed luggage, with some cases even seeing their bags stuck at the airport for days. With a high volume of lost and found items, CDG’s baggage handling issues only add to the stress of traveling. The delays in retrieving lost luggage and inefficient baggage services continue to tarnish the airport’s reputation, causing frustration for passengers already dealing with flight delays.

Poor Customer Service and Unfriendly Staff

Customer service at CDG has long been a weak point. Passengers report rude and unhelpful staff, making what should be a smooth airport experience feel like an obstacle course. The combination of overcrowding, delays, and poor customer service creates an overwhelming atmosphere. The lack of effective communication and support for travelers adds to the growing frustration of navigating the airport.

In 2025, Charles de Gaulle Airport is struggling to meet the demands of modern air travel. From overcrowding and flight delays to a confusing layout and lost luggage, the airport’s issues are systemic and persistent. For any traveler looking for a smooth journey, CDG’s many operational failures should be a serious concern. Until substantial improvements are made, this airport will remain a cautionary tale of how not to manage a global travel hub.

London Stansted Airport: The King of Chaos with Unbelievable Delays

London Stansted Airport is officially the airport with the worst delays in 2025. With a shocking 75.50% delay rate, it’s clear that Stansted is struggling to handle the pressure. Despite its reasonable passenger density of 2.92M passengers per square kilometre, Stansted’s operational inefficiency makes it the last place any traveller would want to land. Imagine being stuck in endless queues, missing your connection, and seeing your flight delayed again and again. That’s the reality for those unlucky enough to pass through this airport. Add to this a meagre 870 lost and found items managed by the airport, and it’s no wonder passengers are voicing their frustrations. Stansted’s score of 64.80 makes it the ultimate airport to avoid.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta: An Overcrowded Giant With Major Problems

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport might boast a massive throughput with 5.68 million passengers per square kilometre, but it is far from being the perfect hub. The airport’s 20.98% delay rate sounds promising compared to Stansted, but it still leaves much to be desired. Travelers at Atlanta face delays that add unnecessary stress to their journey, despite the airport’s relatively low delay rate. The overcrowding issue is palpable, as 35.81K lost and found items reflect just how chaotic it can be. If you think this airport is an efficient, world-class hub, think again. With a 51.24 score, Atlanta is far from the customer-friendly airport it claims to be.

London Gatwick and Heathrow: The Double Trouble of London

London’s two busiest airports, Gatwick and Heathrow, are notorious for their delays and passenger issues. London Gatwick comes in with a 30.70% delay rate despite managing an overwhelming 6.42 million passengers per square kilometre. This high density makes the airport feel more like a crowded shopping mall than an airport. Lost and found items are handled in the hundreds, with 590 lost items reported. Despite a relatively high score of 48.45, Gatwick still struggles to manage the chaotic atmosphere.

London Heathrow, the UK’s busiest airport, also shares the same fate. With a 24.60% delay rate and an even higher passenger density of 6.84M passengers per square kilometre, Heathrow is under severe pressure. The 5.40K lost and found items handled by the airport reflect how challenging it is for staff to manage the massive crowds. With a 48.33 score, Heathrow might seem like a reasonable choice, but the delays and overcrowding are signs of its struggles.

Palma de Mallorca: A Hidden Disaster in Spain

Spain’s Palma de Mallorca Airport may not be as infamous as the global giants like Heathrow or Gatwick, but it has its own set of problems. The airport’s 40.50% delay rate is nothing short of alarming, especially given that its passenger density of 4.93M per square kilometre doesn’t place it among the busiest airports globally. Despite handling a low 20 lost and found items, Palma de Mallorca’s 47.26 score indicates poor operational efficiency. Travelers looking for a quick getaway might think of Palma de Mallorca as a scenic stop, but the airport’s delay issues make it an unreliable choice.

Newark Liberty and Vienna: The Overcrowded Yet Underperforming Giants

Newark Liberty International Airport is another airport where overcrowding and inefficiency go hand-in-hand. With 5.95 million passengers per square kilometre, the 28.89% delay rate reveals just how overwhelmed the airport is. It’s no surprise that Newark struggles to manage its crowds, with 1.40K lost and found items reported annually. Despite these challenges, the airport scores 45.16, which places it in the middle of the rankings but still falls short in terms of passenger satisfaction.

In Vienna International Airport, the story is no different. With a 42.40% delay rate and a 3.17M passengers per square kilometre density, the airport’s performance is disappointing. The 400 lost and found items further highlight the struggles it faces in handling lost belongings. Despite these figures, Vienna maintains a 39.61 score, showing it’s not yet in the ‘worst’ category but still needs drastic improvements to avoid becoming another overcrowded disaster.

Seattle-Tacoma and Madrid-Barajas: Dealing with Overcrowding and Delays

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has its own share of issues, with a 20.98% delay rate and a 5.20M passengers per square kilometre density. It manages 2.80K lost and found items, but despite these numbers, it scores only 36.00, indicating significant inefficiency.

Meanwhile, Madrid-Barajas Airport has a 44.40% delay rate, which is among the worst in Europe. Its passenger density of 2.17M passengers per square kilometre is moderate, but the operational inefficiencies are glaring. The 1.21K lost and found items reported are an indicator of how much work needs to be done in improving passenger services. With a 35.89 score, Madrid-Barajas ranks as one of the least efficient airports globally.

Harry Reid: The Underrated Struggler in Las Vegas

Finally, Harry Reid International Airport (formerly McCarran) in Las Vegas rounds out the list with a 21.59% delay rate. Although its passenger density of 1.40M per square kilometre is relatively low, the airport’s 1.40K lost and found items and 34.90 score suggest it is far from perfect. Passengers arriving in Las Vegas might be excited for the city’s entertainment, but their airport experience leaves much to be desired.

Are These Airports Killing Your Travel Plans?

2025 is proving to be a year of operational disasters at some of the world’s busiest airports. Whether it’s the overwhelming delays at London Stansted, the overcrowding at Hartsfield-Jackson, or the inefficiency at Madrid-Barajas, travelers are facing a nightmare. These airports are struggling to keep up with the massive flow of passengers, resulting in chaos, long waits, and frustrating experiences. For anyone planning to travel through these hubs, it’s crucial to plan ahead and brace for the worst.