Top 10 Least Preferred Airports Globally (As Suggested by TikTok Users)
Revamped Article:
Unloading about airports sucks ass, you feel me? Long lines, crowded terminals, and old bathrooms that look like they've been stuck in the '90s – been there, done that. Just like how we'd all confess about our exes, TikTok users spilled the beans about the airports they can't stand. So, let's dive into the blurry, honest world of airport hate.
We dove into masses of brutally honest TikTok comments, presenting the airports dreaded the most by travelers and the reasons behind their pain. Now, it's worth mentioning that the opinions belong to the users, not us. But hey, who can resist a good, entertaining rant?
1. Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL)
ATL earned the "Airport Frustration Crown," scoring 13.5% of all mentions and a whopping 19.2% of mentions among domestic airports. The endless terminals and painfully tight connections triggered the most anxiety here.
- "Feels like running a 5K."
- "The 8th circle of hell."
- "Atlanta, why is my luggage and gate always miles away?"
- "It might as well be its own city getting from a gate to just customs."
2. London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Heathrow leads in international airport complaints, claiming 30% of mentions. Travelers are constantly faced by gate confusion and nail-biting security procedures.
- "London Heathrow airport-I can't express enough how much I hate it there."
- "Didn't announce my gate until boarding started, causing pure stress."
- "London Heathrow is the only acceptable answer."
- "Only metal seats-very few charging ports! I once was stuck there for 24 hours!"
3. Miami International Airport (MIA)
Travelers cite Miami as a clusterfuck, landing it in third place with 4.68% overall mentions and 8.5% among domestic airport mentions. Cleanliness concerns were also notably higher here.
- "Miami Airport runs on hopes and ideas."
- "As a flight attendant who has traveled the WORLD, I have to say that Miami International is THE worst!"
- "MIAMI. You could not pay me to return there."
- "Had only one TSA agent checking ppl's passports-many ppl missed their flights!!"
4. Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Family-friendly vibes quickly turned sour, with 4.61% of overall mentions from angry airport-goers. Crowds of Disney-bound travelers and overwhelming security lines made this a frequent gripe.
- "I was on the TSA line for 3 hours, and it was jam-packed. It looked like Times Square on New Year's Eve."
- "Orlando is the worst airport on this planet."
- "It feels like the entire country is in one terminal."
- "I live in Orlando and I will die on the hill saying MCO is the worst."
5. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Constantly under construction and overwhelmed with traffic, LAX earned the frustration of 4.09% of commenters.
- "One TSA agent per 1000 people, it is literal hell. Will avoid it like the plague."
- "Rude people, overcrowded, and they always damage my belongings."
- "Getting in and out is a nightmare. Food options suck. Always under construction."
- "LAX and I'm an LA native. The layout is tragic."
6. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Europe's confusing mega-hub took 3.74% of mentions overall and ranked second internationally (16%) thanks to luggage mishaps and chaotic customs.
- "Charles de Gaulle loses my luggage 50% of the time."
- "Every single sign points in the same direction. NIGHTMARE."
- " Zero organization, people everywhere, dirty."
- "Signs? Never heard of them. Helpful staff? Satan's helpers."
7. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Frequent flight delays, outdated terminals, and poor amenities earned Newark 3.91% of overall mentions, resonating strongly among domestic travelers.
- "Newark-always delayed or cancelled."
- "Dirty, poor food choices, no lounges."
- "I've been stuck on the tarmac for 2+ hours in Newark at least twice in my life."
- "Got snowed in. There was no hotel we could get into. The staff just left all of us in a blizzard to fend for ourselves."
8. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
ORD and Newark tied at 3.91% of overall mentions, frequently cited for terminal confusion and luggage woes.
- "Layout is so stupid and they lost my luggage twice."
- "Should be called O'Hell. Completely disorganized."
- "Closed terminals, waited in a cold lobby at 5 am."
- "Gotta SPRINT everywhere so you don't miss your connecting flight."
9. Denver International Airport (DEN)
DEN gained 3.87% of overall mentions due to its sprawling, overwhelming layout and frequent construction detours.
- "Denver. Customs is a minimum of a 2 hour wait."
- "I don't trust Denver-always some sort of delay."
- "I have a one-sided feud with the Denver Airport."
- "DENVER!!!! (It's not a bad airport, I just get overwhelmed and cry when I'm there.)"
10. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Wrapping up the list, JFK drew consistent complaints (2.89%) for outdated infrastructure and stressful international flights.
- "JFK. Especially the international terminal. It's a mess."
- "Too big, yet it looks like it's still in the 1960s."
- "I waited over 2 hours for my luggage at JFK."
- "We got to the airport 5 hours early and almost missed our flight due to TSA!"
What drives people up the wall
Zooming out to catch the big picture, here's what thousands of TikTok travelers complained about the most:
Top overall complaints:
- Poor food options (24.16%)
- Confusing layouts (22.65%)
- Overcrowding (20.15%)
Most-mentioned international airports:
- London Heathrow (30%)
- Paris Charles de Gaulle (16%)
- Singapore Changi (12.2%)
Most-mentioned domestic airports:
- Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (19.2%)
- Miami International (8.5%)
- Orlando International (8.3%)
Frequently delayed airports
Delays – and the ensuing connection anxiety – emerged as major stress points for travelers:
- Singapore Changi (SIN): Led delay-related complaints (11.21%)
- Las Vegas (LAS) and Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW): Frequent mentions due to delays and the ripple effect on connections
The most difficult airports to navigate
Travelers were highly vocal about complicated terminal layouts:
- Atlanta (ATL): Terminal confusion led this category (10.16%)
- Heathrow (LHR) and Las Vegas (LAS): Also frequently cited for confusing navigation and stressful connections
Final boarding call: stay calm and get covered
Every traveler's trip is unique – what's a living hell for one might be a breeze for another. And while TikTok isn't a scientific ranking system, the commentary is damn real. If you ever find yourself stuck in one of these terminals, take a deep breath, treat yourself to an overpriced snack, and remember: travel hiccups happen, but with the right coverage (hi, we're our website), they don't have to ruin your trip. Travel smarter – not harder.
*1. Negative experiences with flight delays seem to be a common complaint among travelers, with Singapore Changi Airport leading in this category.2. Overcrowding appears to be another significant issue, causing stress and anxiety for many passengers, particularly at London Heathrow Airport.3. Poor food options often rank high among traveler complaints, especially at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Denver International Airport.4. Confusing layouts are a frequent source of frustration, with Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Heathrow Airport, and Las Vegas McCarran International Airport being singled out for this problem.5. Long lines and wait times, such as at John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, often lead to traveler dissatisfaction.6. Social media, particularly TikTok, has become a platform for air travelers to share their negative experiences, offering insights into the most disliked airports around the world.7. To mitigate the impact of travel hiccups, some travelers turn to insurance for additional peace of mind during their journeys.