Newark Liberty, Lisbon, Manchester, JFK, And Chicago O’Hare Rank As World’s Most Stressful Airports While Singapore Changi, Hamad International, And Incheon Lead As The Ultimate Stress-Free Travel Destinations

Published on December 19, 2025

When it comes to stress-free travel, airports like Singapore Changi, Hamad International, and Incheon stand out for their efficient services, low wait times, and seamless experiences. These airports excel in key areas such as immigration, baggage claim, and transport links, ensuring that passengers can start their journey without the usual headaches. In contrast, airports like Newark Liberty, Lisbon, Manchester, JFK, and Chicago O’Hare are plagued by long delays, poor customs processing, and frustrating security checks, making them the most stressful places to fly from.

Traveling is an exhilarating experience, but it can also be filled with stress, particularly when navigating crowded airports. Some airports are designed to make your journey smoother, helping you start your trip with minimal hassle, while others may leave you feeling frustrated and stressed. To help travelers identify which airports offer the best experiences and which ones are the most stressful, a study conducted by travel insurance comparison service, iSelect, analyzed 50 major airports worldwide. The airports were ranked based on flight delays, ease of access, check-in and security wait times, and other factors critical to the traveler experience.

Top 3 Least Stressful Airports

According to the research, Asian airports dominate the rankings for the least stressful travel experiences. Singapore Changi Airport, Hamad International Airport in Doha, and Seoul’s Incheon International Airport emerged as the top three most stress-free airports in the world.

Singapore Changi Airport took the top spot, scoring consistently high across several key areas. The airport ranked first for ease of getting to the airport (94%) and scored 92% for both immigration and customs and security checks. Additionally, Changi’s check-in process was ranked the smoothest, with a 93% score. The airport also had one of the lowest flight cancellation rates, at just 0.19%. This combination of efficiency and convenience makes Changi a perfect choice for a stress-free travel experience.

Hamad International Airport in Doha ranked second for its exceptional baggage claim process and excellent airport transport links. These factors, combined with high satisfaction in several other areas, earned Hamad a score of 75.89 out of 100. The ease with which passengers can get around the airport, along with the speed of luggage retrieval, helped it land a top spot in the rankings.

Incheon International Airport in Seoul claimed third place, excelling in areas like the lowest flight cancellation rate, with just 0.15% of flights not taking off. Incheon also performed well in various other categories, including check-in and security procedures, placing it high in the rankings with an overall score of 72.61 out of 100.

The 5 Most Stressful Airports

While some airports excel in efficiency and traveler satisfaction, others have gained notoriety for offering less-than-ideal experiences. The following airports are ranked as the most stressful, based on a combination of long delays, long waits, and overall inefficiency.

Newark Liberty International Airport in the United States earned the unfortunate distinction of being the most stressful airport in the study. This New Jersey-based airport has earned its reputation with poor performance across nearly every category. Newark ranked worst in both check-in and customs wait times. Passengers also face long delays with a departure delay of 21.40 minutes on average and a flight cancellation rate of 1.43%. If you’re flying into Newark, you may be faced with the frustration of waiting for your luggage as it ranks third-worst for baggage claims.

Humberto Delgado Airport (Lisbon Airport) in Portugal ranked second in the study. Lisbon’s airport is known for its lengthy delays, with an average departure time of 27.39 minutes. Additionally, the airport has a relatively high flight cancellation rate of 1.49%. Although it fares better than other airports in terms of ease of access, this small consolation does little to offset the longer wait times, particularly at check-in and security.

Manchester Airport in the United Kingdom earned third place in the rankings for the most stressful airports. The airport’s baggage claim and security check were the main culprits in its low score, with passengers frequently encountering long waits. While Manchester had a lower cancellation rate than Newark and Lisbon, it couldn’t overcome the delays at check-in and security, making it a stressful experience overall.

John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York ranked fourth on the list of the most stressful airports. While JFK does perform better in terms of flight cancellations, it struggles in other areas, particularly in customs and immigration, where it received the worst score for wait times. In addition, JFK’s security checks and ease of getting to the airport also ranked poorly, contributing to a generally stressful experience for travelers.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport rounded out the top five most stressful airports. O’Hare struggles with long immigration and customs procedures, ranking third-worst in this category. Although it did perform relatively well for check-in, its baggage claims and security wait times were less efficient, making it a frustrating airport for many travelers.

Why Stress-Free Travel Matters

Traveling should be an exciting experience, but long waits, delays, and disorganized airport processes can quickly turn it into a stressful one. Airports that excel at efficiency can make a world of difference, offering smooth transitions from check-in to boarding, reducing stress for passengers. Factors such as easy access to the airport, quick security checks, and low flight cancellation rates all play a role in enhancing the overall travel experience.

The airports that rank highly in terms of stress-free experiences, like Singapore Changi and Hamad International, prioritize the convenience of their passengers. By reducing wait times, ensuring efficient baggage handling, and offering seamless transportation links, these airports help travelers start their trips on a positive note.

On the other hand, airports that rank poorly for stress levels often fail to address key pain points like long waits, poor baggage handling, and inadequate customs procedures. These issues can cause unnecessary delays, lead to frustration, and, in some cases, even result in missed flights.

Choosing the right airport for your travels can play a significant role in reducing the stress of your journey. Whether you’re traveling for business or leisure, selecting an airport known for its efficiency and passenger-friendly services can help ensure a smoother experience. While airports like Singapore Changi, Hamad International, and Incheon International set the standard for stress-free travel, airports like Newark, Lisbon, and Manchester continue to face challenges that can make flying a more stressful experience. As travel continues to evolve, airports worldwide will need to focus on improving their services and operations to meet the demands of today’s travelers and reduce unnecessary stress during the travel process.