The World’s Most Stressful Airport: Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

When planning a trip, the flight is often the least memorable part, but there is one airport in the United States that consistently causes stress for travelers. According to a study conducted by Australian-based travel insurance comparison company iSelect, Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey has been ranked as the world’s most stressful airport.

The study, which was shared with Travel + Leisure, looked at 50 major airport hubs around the world and evaluated them based on seven key areas including check-in process, security wait times, immigration and customs wait times, and baggage claim satisfaction. EWR performed poorly in these categories, with low scores in ease of getting to the airport, baggage claim satisfaction, and a high rate of canceled departures.

In a statement obtained by Travel + Leisure, Adrian Bennett, the general manager for general insurance at iSelect, explained that understanding which airports are more likely to cause delays or longer wait times can help travelers better prepare and plan for their trip. However, this does not mean that travelers should avoid EWR altogether, as it is a major hub for United Airlines and is currently undergoing renovations to improve its facilities.

The study also revealed other airports that made the top five list of most stressful airports, including Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), Manchester Airport (MAN) in the United Kingdom, New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD). These airports received low scores in areas such as check-in process, security wait times, and baggage claim satisfaction, making them less desirable for travelers.

On the other hand, the study also identified the world’s least stressful airport – Singapore Changi Airport (SIN). Known for its efficiency and top-notch facilities, SIN received high scores in immigration and customs, security check, check-in wait times, and ease of getting to the airport. This cemented its reputation as the gold standard for stress-free travel. Doha’s Hamad International Airport (DOH) and Seoul’s Incheon International Airport (ICN) also made it to the top three list of least stressful airports.

In conclusion, when planning a trip, it is important for travelers to be aware of which airports may cause delays or longer wait times, and to plan accordingly. Although EWR may be the world’s most stressful airport, its ongoing renovations and improvements may make it a more desirable option for travelers in the future.