America's most stressful airports revealed as millions prepare for Memorial Day Weekend travel

Memorial Day Weekend is just around the corner, and airports nationwide will be full of travelers. 

The American Automobile Association (AAA) predicted that the Memorial Day weekend flier amount will be 3.51 million, which is nearly 5 percent higher than last year's number.

However, for the 10 most stressful U.S. airports ranked by StressFreeCarRental.com, this increase may not matter.

StressFreeCarRental.com created this year's list by analyzing the data from their most popular U.S. airport rankings to find the worst ones for travelers to pass through.

The website based its analysis on five factors: passenger numbers, distance from a commercial area, the number of flight destinations, car parking prices and the airport's overall satisfaction score.

StressFreeCarRental.com created this list by analyzing the data from their most popular US airport ranking to find the worst ones for travelers to pass through

1. Chicago O'Hare International Airport

Chicago O'Hare International Airport is ranked the most stressful airport in America, and it is a large hub for American Airlines and United Airlines

Chicago O'Hare International (ORD) in Illinois is ranked the most stressful airport in America this year.

It is a large hub for American Airlines and United Airlines, which is headquartered in Chicago.

The airport has more than 40 airlines and gives its travelers the choice to book a non-stop flight to more than 200 destinations worldwide.

CNN ranked Chicago O'Hare International as one of the top 10 busiest airports in the world and racked in nearly 74 million passengers in 2023. 

Around 47,300 travelers fly out of ORD every day, and since more than 800,000 fliers have book flights out of that airport from May 23 to May 28, the amount of passengers could be at least three times the usual daily total.    

According to StressFreeCarRental.com, its high cost for airport parking and its flight destination might be a headache for holiday travelers this weekend.

Chicago O'Hare International is the second most stressful airport in the US and can cost more than $283 to have a vehicle parked there for a week.

2. John F. Kennedy International Airport

More than 70 airlines are available at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens and Bloomberg reported that 62.5 million passengers flew out of JFK last year.

John F. Kennedy International Airport, known to travelers as JFK, is one of the biggest airports in New York.

More than 70 airlines are available at the airport in Queens and Bloomberg reported that 62.5 million passengers flew out of JFK last year.

This Memorial Day weekend, fliers may not be pleased that they must deal with the $19 billion redevelopment construction that is currently happening at JFK.

'We are completely rebuilding JFK Airport, so the construction impact on the roads and on traffic is going to be significant,' said Rick Cotton, the executive director of the Port Authority, at a Monday news conference.

A March 2024 Google Review indicated that JFK has about 50,000 travelers fly out of that airport every day.

Hopper's Memorial Day Outlook estimated that 645,899 travelers will fly out from May 23 to May 28 this year from JFK, meaning that the total of passengers will be more than two times its usual daily amount.      

3. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas serves around 73 million customers each year and it is considered one of the busiest airports in the world for passenger traffic

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in Texas serves around 73 million customers each year.

According to Texan Nature, more than 189,000 customers travel through DFW each day.   

The busy airport has not released many details on what passengers can expect this year, but if it's anything like last year, more than a million fliers will pass through Dallas Fort Worth International during Memorial Day weekend.

'For Texas, it's the second highest Memorial Day travel volume that we would have seen since 2000,' Daniel Armbruster with AAA said last year.

'You want to book early,' he said. 'The earlier you book, you're probably going to save.'

Other issues that can be concerning for fliers is it being the furthest distance from the nearest city center and its reputation for flight cancellations. 

4. Denver International Airport

Denver International Airport in Colorado is one of the largest airports in the US and one of its notable features is its peaked roof at the Jeppesen Terminal

Denver International Airport in Colorado is one of the largest airports in the US, covering a whopping 53 square miles, according to Metro Denver EDC.

More than 69 million passengers travel through that airport annually, and it has more than 25 airlines.

The average amount of passengers per day at the airport in 2023 clocked in at 213,254.  

This year, officials expect an increase in fliers from today to May 27 at Denver International and they have predicted a record-breaking number of nearly 450,000 travelers for the next few days - a major daily decrease.

One of the downsides of Denver International Airport is the difficulty in getting downtown.

Other issues to look out for that may add some nuisances are gate holdings, taxi delays and bad weather, especially since nearly 700 flights were delayed due to thunderstorms.

5. Los Angeles International Airport

The California-based airport known as LAX has more than 65 airlines and nearly 772,000 passengers will fly out of it from May 23 to May 28 this year

The California-based airport known as LAX has been around for nearly 100 years and is a primary international gateway.

With more than 65 airlines, LAX will soon be 'reimagined' as part of a $15 billion Capital Improvement Program.

This plan will help update the airport's terminals, better guest experiences, increase airfield safety and improve access.

Millions of travelers will likely enjoy these improvements, but more than one million passengers flying out of LAX from May 23 to May 28 this year may just be focused on making their flights on time.

According to the Los Angeles Times, May 24 will be its busiest day as around 235,000 travelers will be flying out of LAX.

The number of Friday fliers may be large, but it is similar to their 2019 average of 241,000 passengers per day.

One of the biggest issues that may be a stress factor is the increase in traffic since it is indeed a holiday weekend.

'With school breaks, relaxed workdays and a strong demand for travel to and from Los Angeles, we expect a busy summer,' interim Chief Operations and Maintenance Officer Doug Webster said in a statement. 

6. Miami International Airport

Miami International is the biggest airport in Florida, and it handled more than 52 million passengers in 2023

Miami International is the biggest airport in Florida, and it handled more than 52 million passengers in 2023.

According to its website, Miami International is America's busiest airport for international freight and the second busiest for international passengers.

It's a home for more than 90 airlines and earns an annual $31.9 billion in business revenue.

Like others in the US, the airport is preparing for a busy summer travel season this year. 

Starting Memorial Day weekend, it expects to welcome over 160,000 daily visitors, which is lower than the its average of nearly 172,000 visitors per day.

One of the main stress factors like LAX is the traffic, but the issue of the amount of parking spaces has also been brought up by employees.  

WSVN 7 News provided multiple tips to help travelers fly out of Miami International successfully, including using ride-sharing services and completing airline check-in online.

7. Orlando International Airport

Airport employees confirmed in their 2023 fact sheet that they helped over 50 million passengers in 2022 and more than 5.5 million travelers who flew on international flights

Orlando International Airport (MCO) has over 40 airlines available for millions of travelers.

Airport employees confirmed in their 2023 fact sheet that they helped more than 50 million passengers in 2022 and more than 5.5 million travelers who flew on international flights.

According to the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority via West Orlando News, more than 57 million passengers flew out of MCO last year and more than 158,000 passengers passed through the airport every day.

The airport is preparing for Memorial Day weekend, and employees are expecting more than one million travelers at their airport between May 25 and May 31.

In response, MCO announced in a press release that it would open the West Park Place parking lot due to the high parking demand for Memorial Day weekend. 

8. Newark Liberty International Airport

As of March 2024, according to a traffic report completed by Port Authority NY NJ, more than four million passengers fly out of Newark Liberty every month

Newark Liberty International Airport is not as big as JFK, but it is still a busy airport for travelers nationwide.

More than 30 airlines, including United, Delta and Alaska Airlines, operate out of the New Jersey airport.

As of March 2024, according to a traffic report completed by Port Authority NY NJ, more than four million passengers fly out of Newark Liberty every month.

A local press release from TSA on May 20 indicated that thousands more travelers than usual will be flying out of this airport during Memorial Day weekend. 

'Here at Newark, we expect to see approximately 11,000 more travelers per day for Memorial Day Weekend than we see in an average weekend,' said Thomas Carter, TSA’s Federal Security Director for New Jersey.

'The most important things that travelers can do is to get to the airport early and come prepared to go through the checkpoint screening process.'

That checkpoint screening process may also be a big stress factor since the airport is updating its technology and its checkpoints in Terminal B are closed until June 21.

However, the updates will not take place on Saturday, Sunday or Memorial Day. 

9. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has been ranked as one of the busiest airports in the world for many years

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the biggest airport in Georgia that served more than 100 million travelers in 2023.

More than 20 domestic and international carriers fly out of the Atlanta airport, its primary airline being Delta.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International is considered to be one of the busiest airports in the world and it is preparing to expect an increase of more than 6 percent of Memorial Day weekend travelers compared to last year.

According to the FAA via FOX 5, more than 100,000 travelers are expected to fly out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International on Friday.

It does not come close to matching the airport's daily passenger average of 286,000, but ATL officials are expecting more than 119,000 travelers than last year. 

The TSA pre-checks are a stress factor for travelers, one of them telling FOX 5 that they were 'quite shocked' about how many fliers were at the airport on Thursday at 4 am.

10. Harry Reid International Airport

Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada has slot machines and over 30 airlines that passengers can use

Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas is a place where travelers can gamble while waiting to board their flight.

More than 30 airlines fly out of this Nevada airport, which also serves as an operating base for Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines.

Harry Reid International Airport had a record-breaking 57.6 million passengers fly out last year and like other US airports, it is expected to have a surge in fliers this Memorial Day weekend.

The airport has not released too many details on what it will be like, but an X (formerly Twitter) post from its official account about its parking forecast hinted that ride services like Uber or Lyft may be a transportation option.

'Be prepared: Airport parking is in HIGH DEMAND this week,' their post read.

According to its parking forecast, long-term and economy parking in terminal one is expected to be full from Thursday through Saturday.

Terminal 3's long-term lot may have extra parking spaces, but the remote lot is expected to be open throughout the entire holiday weekend.