Most Chaotic US Airports

• Tampa International Airport ranks as the most chaotic airport in the US, with 277 out of 518 flights facing delays daily.
• Newark Liberty International Airport takes second place, with 430 flights encountering setbacks each day.
• With an average of 50 flight cancellations per day, Orlando International Airport secures the third spot among the most disrupted airports.

A new study by CasinooftheKings analyzes the most chaotic airports in the U.S. Data was sourced from airline reports, airport statistics, and customer review platforms. To assess disruption levels, the study examined average daily delays and cancellations, calculated from three randomly selected days per airport. Passenger satisfaction scores, which reflect on-time performance, amenities, and overall traveler experience, were also considered. The study also used normalized data on mishandled baggage claims, accounting for the number of passengers and mishandled baggage statistics to ensure fair comparisons across airports. Each airport was assigned a composite score based on these factors, with higher scores indicating greater levels of operational disruption and travel inefficiency.

Tampa International Airport leads the ranking as the most chaotic airport in the US, earning a composite score of 100. More than half of the flights, 53%, experience delays at this airport. In addition, more than 8% of scheduled flights are canceled due to different operational and logistical challenges. 

Newark Liberty International Airport ranks second among the most disrupted airports in the US, with a composite score of 90. Around 41% of daily flights face delays at this airport. Moreover, for every 100,000 passengers, it experiences 2 mishandled baggage claims, the second highest rate of any airport analyzed in the study. 

Orlando International Airport secures the third spot as the most unreliable airport for smooth travel, with a composite score of 90. Surveyed travelers gave this airport the lowest satisfaction score of 7. In addition, it has the third-highest daily rate of flight delays at 46% and cancellations at 5% among all airports studied.

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, the third-busiest airport in the US with over 39 million passengers annually, ranks fourth for frequent disruptions. The airport experiences an average of 189 flight cancellations daily, giving it the highest cancellation rate at 10% of all flights per day.

John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York ranks as the fifth most chaotic airport for travelers, earning a composite score of 86. It stands out with the highest mishandling rate, averaging about 3 bags per 100,000 passengers. Moreover, 35% of daily flights experience delays, contributing to its position on the list.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is the sixth airport travelers should avoid if they want smooth flights. It earns the second-lowest passenger satisfaction score at nearly 7, just behind Orlando International Airport. Each day, around 307 flights encounter disruptions at this airport, keeping passengers waiting longer than expected.

O’Hare International Airport secures the seventh spot among the most challenging airports in the US for hassle-free travel, with a composite score of 75. Experiencing an average of 1,000 flight delays per day, this airport holds the highest daily delay rate, with 59% of all flights affected.

Harry Reid International Airport in Nevada ranks eighth among the least reliable US airports for smooth travel, with a composite score of 73. Every day, an average of 405 flights leave passengers waiting well beyond their expected time due to delays. Additionally, around 20 flights are canceled daily at this airport.

Logan International Airport lands in ninth place as a hotspot for unpredictable travel experiences. Like Newark Liberty International, Logan experiences mishandling of 2 bags per 100,000 passengers. The airport is no stranger to delays, with an average of 239 flights held up every day.

Miami International Airport rounds out the list of the most chaotic airports in the US, earning a composite score of 68. Serving nearly 25 million passengers annually, the airport deals with delays affecting 443 flights, along with 20 cancellations each day.

A spokesperson from CasinooftheKings commented on the study:

“With delays, cancellations, and mishandled baggage affecting millions of travelers each year, it’s clear that improvements are necessary to ensure a smoother and more predictable travel experience. By addressing these operational challenges, airports can better meet passenger expectations, reduce frustration, and ultimately restore trust in air travel. Otherwise, these airports risk losing passengers, who may opt for alternatives at the first opportunity”.

Methodology

The study aims to identify and rank the most chaotic airports in the US based on operational disruptions, passenger experience, and overall travel efficiency. Data was collected on key factors, including flight cancellations and delays, mishandled baggage per 100K passengers, passenger satisfaction scores, which include on-time performance and amenities, and air carrier flights per day. Mishandled baggage rates are normalized using the number of passengers and mishandled baggage statistics to ensure fair comparisons across airports. 

To assess delays and cancellations, three random days were selected for each airport, and the average daily delay and cancellation rates were calculated by dividing the total delays and cancellations by the number of flights per day. A composite score was then calculated using these weighted indicators: 30% for flight cancellations per day, 25% for delays per day, 25% for mishandled baggage per 100K passengers, and 20% for passenger satisfaction score. The normalized scores were used to rank the airports in descending order, with higher scores indicating more chaotic airports.