Let’s face it: big cities tend to be more stressful—and that includes their airports. Crowds, lines, and congestion are the name of the game. But some airports are more stressful than others.
A new analysis of 384 U.S. airports found that the most stressful airport in the country isn’t located in one of the three largest cities (New York City, Los Angeles, or Chicago), nor is it a major hub like Atlanta, Phoenix, Newark, or Houston. Topping the list at No. 1 is Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE).
To reach these conclusions, Spin the Wheel Generator—a customizable virtual tool that lets users “spin” to make choices—analyzed five key stress factors: passenger volume, average departure delays, cancellation rates, arrival delays, and Google ratings. Each factor was weighted equally at 20 percent to calculate a final stress score out of 10.
Travelers gave ASE, which serves around 250,000 passengers annually, a stress score of 4.95 out of 10—the highest of all airports analyzed. Common sources of stress included high cancellation rates and lengthy delays for both arrivals and departures. At ASE, 9 percent of flights are canceled, and the average departure delay is 45 minutes.
But here’s what’s also intriguing: nine out of the top-10 most stressful airports were also small, regional airports. As they handle fewer passengers per day, what makes regional airports stressful? The reasons vary, but all tie into not being on schedule. It’s not about the lounges or the concessions or whether or not the WiFi works. Time is money, as the adage goes, and especially when you’re traveling by plane, as a delayed flight might screw up the rest of your itinerary.
Curious about the biggest major offender? That would be Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, which serves 51 million passengers a year and lands at No. 10 on the list.
Here’s the full top 10:
- Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) in Aspen, Colorado
- Watertown International Airport (ART) in Dexter, New York
- Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR) in Hagerstown, Maryland
- Chippewa Valley Regional Airport (EAU) in Eau Claire, Wisconsin
- Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX) in Hancock, Michigan
- Tie: Tyler Pounds Regional Airport (TYR) in Tyler, Texas, and North Central West Virginia Airport (CKB) in Clarksburg, West Virginia
- Plattsburgh International Airport (PBG) in Plattsburgh, New York
- MidAmerica St. Louis Airport/Scott Air Force Base (BLV) in Belleville, Illinois
- Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta, Georgia
- Chippewa County International Airport (CIU) in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
