Ian Bronson
Airports have long been gateways to adventure and commerce in the United States. Since the first scheduled airmail flight in 1918, America’s airport system has grown into a vast, high-stakes network, now serving over 850 million passengers yearly. Yet despite their economic importance, not all airports win over the traveling public. Here’s a look at 20 U.S. airports that travelers often find difficult to navigate.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Fort Lauderdale, FL
A study by Lending Tree revealed that in 2024, FLL (Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International) experienced the highest percentage of winter flight delays among U.S. airports, with 29% of winter flights delayed. Passenger reviews highlight several issues, including cleanliness concerns, overcrowded terminals, and long waits for customs and baggage. Some travelers also reported missing connections due to these delays.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Los Angeles, CA
Traffic congestion outside LAX results from construction and peak-time delays, and sometimes costs passengers an extra hour just to reach the terminal. Wayfinding has recently been improved, but certain challenges still persist, which frustrate even seasoned travelers. Additionally, gridlocks are often common because the airport’s layout has one main access road.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Newark, NJ
Travelers complain about disorganization, dirty restrooms, and poor customer service at Newark. Terminal B, in particular, is often cited as outdated and confusing to traverse. Luggage issues and long customs lines plague international passengers. Plus, it ranked last among major U.S. airports in a 2022 Wall Street Journal airport ranking.
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), Cleveland, OH
Though not a major hub, Cleveland Hopkins receives frequent criticism for cleanliness and limited amenities. Food and shopping options are sparse beyond security, and the terminal design feels dated. Flyers also cite inconsistent TSA operations. In a 2023 J.D. Power survey of midsize airports, CLE scored below average for terminal facilities and service.
Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Honolulu, HI
Although HNL (Honolulu International Airport) serves as a gateway to paradise, many travelers find the experience less than relaxing. The airport’s disjointed layout and outdated infrastructure make navigating between terminals inconvenient, especially during rain, when long outdoor walks become a hassle. Once past security, limited amenities and dining options only add to the frustration.
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Philadelphia, PA
A confusing terminal layout and aging infrastructure drag down the traveler experience at PHL. Signage is inconsistent, and connections often require long walks through dated corridors. Complaints also focus on food variety and cleanliness. According to the 2022 J.D. Power rankings, PHL landed near the bottom in customer satisfaction for large airports.
Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL), Dallas, TX
Located in Dallas, TX, it is smaller than the massive DFW but faces significant challenges. Overcrowding and long security lines plague passengers, especially during peak hours. The single-terminal design causes congestion at gates, with limited seating adding to frustration. Runway constraints frequently lead to delays, making travel through Love Field unpredictable.
Orlando International Airport (MCO), Orlando, FL
MCO sees massive tourist traffic, and the infrastructure doesn’t always keep up. Baggage claim delays are common, and security wait times can be excessive during holidays. The terminal layout contributes to bottlenecks at checkpoints and boarding gates, resulting in incessant congestion.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Dulles, VA
Located roughly 30 miles from downtown Washington, D.C., IAD (Washington Dulles International Airport) is notably distant from the city center. Many travelers describe its layout as confusing—often likened to a “maze”—with a mix of ground transport and long walks needed to reach gates. While recent upgrades have aimed to improve the experience, passengers still frequently report difficulties with navigation and overall accessibility.
Miami International Airport (MIA), Miami, FL
MIA overwhelms passengers with confusing signage, long immigration lines, and inconsistent cleanliness. Its sprawling layout makes transfers stressful for international travelers with tight connections. Customer service also receives low marks in traveler feedback. In the Wall Street Journal’s 2022 airport rankings, MIA was 17th out of 20 for overall user experience.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago, IL
As one of the busiest airports in the world, O’Hare consistently struggles with chronic delays and lengthy taxi times. Travelers often point to poor signage and limited seating as ongoing frustrations. While its status as a major hub explains the high traffic, it doesn’t justify the frequent flight disruptions that continue to impact the passenger experience.
Oakland International Airport (OAK), Oakland, CA
OAK struggles with aging infrastructure and a reputation for neglect. People frequently report dirty restrooms, limited dining options, and understaffed facilities, leading to frustrating experiences. Terminal 1, in particular, feels outdated and lacks modern upgrades. These persistent issues contribute to negative reviews, making OAK a challenging airport for passengers.
Denver International Airport (DEN), Denver, CO
Despite its massive size and striking architecture, DEN frustrates travelers with endless construction and long internal walks. Security checkpoints are frequently understaffed, and baggage delays are common. Travelers also complain about poor public transit links. According to TSA and airline data from 2023, DEN saw above-average wait times and general luggage handling issues.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO), San Francisco, CA
Known for frequent fog-related delays, SFO (San Francisco International Airport) also faces criticism for long immigration lines and uneven terminal quality. While some areas offer a modern, comfortable experience, others fall short in both cleanliness and amenities. According to FlightAware’s 2023 performance analysis, SFO ranked among the major U.S. airports with the highest cancellation rates.
St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), St. Louis, MO
Dated interiors, dim lighting, and limited post-security amenities make STL a disappointing travel hub. Post-security amenities are sparse, leaving travelers with limited options. Seating availability is often inadequate, and baggage handling is sluggish, which leads to frustrating wait times. Many flyers find STL lacking in modernization.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York, NY
Navigating JFK can be a logistical headache, especially when switching terminals. International arrivals face long immigration queues and spotty customer service. Despite its global prominence, many travelers criticize the airport’s dated infrastructure and frequent crowding in high-traffic areas.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Seattle, WA
Growth at SEA has outpaced its infrastructure, leaving passengers to deal with crowded terminals and extended TSA wait times. Seating is scarce during peak hours, and ongoing construction hasn’t yet eased the congestion. In recent surveys, travelers have often cited bottlenecks and wayfinding issues.
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), Detroit, MI
Though parts of DTW are sleek and modern, several travelers’ experiences don’t match the design. Security lines move slowly, while some terminals offer few dining choices beyond security. Weather-related delays and regional air traffic also contribute to a lower satisfaction score.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Charlotte, NC
A single-terminal setup makes CLT particularly vulnerable to crowding. Security checkpoints and gate areas are frequently overwhelmed, and flyers often find themselves standing due to limited seating. The airport’s design also forces long walks between concourses, frustrating tight connection travelers.
Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Houston, TX
Terminal sprawl and unclear signage make IAH a difficult airport to traverse. Many international passengers endure lengthy immigration procedures and inconsistent cleanliness throughout the facilities. Even with improvements underway, traveler complaints about service remain common.
