A recent study conducted by VisaGuide.World , a visa advice website, has unveiled the world’s most stressful airports.
Released in December, the study surveyed 1,642 air passengers from 53 different nationalities, all of whom undertook a minimum of two international air journeys in 2023.
The survey aimed to pinpoint the aspects of air travel that induce the most stress among passengers.
Key stressors identified include high passenger volumes, the vast and intricate layouts of large airports, congestion within airport premises, frequent flight delays, and significant distances from city centers.
Utilizing these criteria, the report developed an airport stress ranking based on five factors: total passenger count, airport size (in square meters), passenger density per square meter, proportion of annual flight delays, and distance from downtown areas (measured in kilometers).
Topping the list as the most stress-inducing airport globally is London Gatwick, the United Kingdom ‘s second-largest airport.
Despite hosting a below-average number of passengers compared to other major airports, Gatwick scored notably high in passenger density.
Additionally, it ranked second in terms of annual flight delays and holds the record for the greatest distance from the city center, at 43 kilometers.
The study further reveals that half of the top ten most stressful airports worldwide are situated in Europe. Following Gatwick, Istanbul Airport in Turkey claims the second spot, renowned as Europe’s busiest airport. Meanwhile, Munich Airport in Germany secures the third position, despite welcoming significantly fewer passengers than Istanbul.
Other notable entries include Denver International Airport in the United States , listed fourth, and Heathrow Airport in the UK, ranking fifth.
Despite being Europe’s second busiest airport, Heathrow manages to maintain its place among the most stressful hubs, even though it is smaller in size compared to Munich Airport .
Rounding off the top ten are Los Angeles International Airport, Rome–Fiumicino International Airport, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and O’Hare International Airport, each contributing to the global landscape of stressful air travel experiences.