The 5 Absolute Worst U.S. Airports (And 5 That People Actually Like)

Most of us keep mental tabs on the airports we love — and hate — to fly in and out of. When you find the right airport, it can really make you want to start traveling more. The reverse is true about the nightmarish ones. 

We took a look at all the major airports in the U.S., and based on several criteria — flight delays in the winter and summer, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) wait times, overall customer satisfaction (using the 2024 J.D. Power North America Airport Satisfaction Survey), complaints filed against the TSA, and amenities — and came up with a list of the five best and five worst airports in the U.S.

Let's look at the worst airports first, then the best.

Newark Liberty ranks among the lowest in overall customer satisfaction, and, according to the Department of Transportation, flights departing and arriving at this airport are frequently delayed.

A study by Upgraded Points found that Newark had the longest TSA wait times of the 25 busiest airports in the country, despite being only the 15th busiest airport.

Lounges are available at Newark Liberty International Airport for United, American Airlines, Delta, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, SAS, Lufthansa, and Air Canada passengers. There's also a USO lounge for members of the U.S. military and Art & Lounge, which is not affiliated with an airline.

Toronto Pearson ranks near the bottom in customer satisfaction among mega airports in North America, with frequent complaints about long lines, overcrowding, and inconsistent service levels.

In addition to passenger frustrations, a report by Cirium revealed that YYZ has one of the highest flight delay rates among Canada's busiest airports. While the airport does offer multiple lounges, including those for Air Canada and Plaza Premium, passengers note that limited seating and crowded gate areas detract from the travel experience. Plus, you're spending money you didn't expect to, which isn't a great way to keep more cash in your wallet. 

Chicago's largest airport is also the fourth busiest in the nation and one of the lowest in customer satisfaction among mega airports, according to the J.D. Power survey. Many reviewers also cited poor signage and a difficult-to-navigate layout.

Although average flight delays are not too bad for an airport of its size, it's still significant, and anyone traveling through should expect delays.

When you do get delayed, you're in luck because there are about 15 lounges at Chicago O'Hare for passengers of United, Delta, American Airlines, Air France/KLM, British Airways, SAS, and SWISS, as well as a USO lounge.

Located about 10 miles outside of the city of Philadelphia, this airport serves millions of air travelers every year, making it the 21st busiest in the country.

It was also ranked the worst among all large airports in customer service satisfaction, by quite a few points. Those surveyed rated Philadelphia International poorly in categories such as terminal facilities, food and retail amenities, and check-in experience.

There are several lounges at Philadelphia International, one that is unaffiliated with any airline, and others for passengers of American Airlines, British Airways, Delta, and United.

Cleveland Hopkins ranks lowest among medium-sized airports, with a customer satisfaction score well below the national average. Delays are a frequent issue, especially during peak travel periods, and travelers often highlight outdated facilities as a drawback.

While the airport does feature an array of dining and retail options, many find these offerings underwhelming compared to similarly sized airports. However, the airport is actively working on renovations aimed at addressing passenger concerns.

Minneapolis-Saint Paul International tops the list among mega airports, scoring highest in customer satisfaction thanks to its efficient layout, cleanliness, and wide range of dining and retail options.

MSP is particularly noted for its Art at the Airport program, which features unique sculptures and exhibits throughout the terminals. Frequent flyers praise its consistent TSA checkpoint efficiency and easy connections to public transportation. It's a standout airport that combines functionality with a welcoming ambiance.

Approximately 20 miles south of Detroit, this airport is one of the country's top 25 busiest, yet it still maintains a high percentage of on-time flights and short TSA wait times.

And this airport tied CLT for some of the shortest TSA wait times in the country. Detroit Metropolitan also ranked above average for overall customer satisfaction and was previously the recipient of an Airlines Service Quality award.

There are several Delta Sky lounges at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, as well as a Lufthansa Business lounge, and Freedom Center for members of the U.S. military.

PHX is home to more than 100 restaurants for fliers who have layovers at the airport or show up early, and it is famous for the many shopping options it offers.

It is also known for being one of the best airports for dining, including the restaurant Chelsea's Kitchen, which serves delicious street tacos and fresh salads. 

Topping the customer service survey charts is John F. Kennedy International Airport, located in Queens, New York. J.D. Power ranked this busy airport as the fourth best mega airport on various points, such as wait times, retail shops, available food choices, and check-in experience.

There are approximately 20 lounges at JFK, such as the Air France-KLM Lounge, Be Relax Spa, KAL Lounge, Lufthansa Business Class Lounge, Lufthansa Senator Lounge, Primeclass Lounge, Turkish Airlines Lounge, VIPOne Lounge, and many more. 

Serving Dallas and Fort Worth in Texas, this airport also tops the charts for customer service and on-time flights. It has traditionally been ranked very high by J.D. Power's customer satisfaction survey of large and mega airports.

The restaurant, Chef Tim Love's Love Shack, is not to be missed, with its fresh and delectable burgers. 

There are about 19 lounges at Dallas Fort Worth, including those for passengers of American Airlines, Delta, and United.

One thing to keep in mind about the airports on this list is that some of these scores are dependent on renovation and construction. Nevertheless, there are definitely some airports that, historically, will always be ranked high or low.

Also, flight arrival and departure delays are often influenced by weather. If you're trying to decide between a connecting flight in Denver or Dallas during the winter, for example, flying through Dallas would be the smarter choice.

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