These Are the Worst Airports To Join Via (And The place to E-book Your Flight As an alternative)

Navigating the intricacies of air travel can often feel like a game of timing. The logistics can be a gamble, whether it’s the inevitable delays or the nerve-wracking dash between connecting flights.

The ideal airport would offer an easy-to-navigate layout, conveniently spaced gates, and baggage retrieval that doesn’t feel like a marathon. Some airports go the extra mile by using trains or shuttle buses to ferry travelers around. In our quest for seamless travel, understanding the ease of airport navigation and the helpfulness of staff assistance is paramount.

A recent Finance Buzz study analyzed airports’ difficulty based on the walking distance between terminals as a key metric. However, other things must be considered, as walking isn’t always the best option. If you have to spend time at the connecting airport, the airport facilities, eateries, and WiFi may be important. Therefore, we’ve also taken into account reports on SkyTrax related to these concerns.

While you may not always be able to choose where you connect, it’s good to know where you might have more trouble than not.

1. Denver International Airport (DEN) Colorado

If you’re flying through Denver, you should check your layover time. This major hub is reported to have a sprawling layout with long distances between gates. Being the second largest airport in the world at 53 square miles, that’s understandable.

The airport is renowned for experiencing delays due to the Colorado weather, especially in winter. While the walking distance may be lengthy, it’s important to know that a train can take you between all gates. Visitors to Denver International have rated it poorly, saying that food options could have been better and that finding eateries wasn’t easy. Others complained about the seating options and felt the airport needed to be updated.

2. O’Hare International Airport (ORD) Illinois

Reports indicate that the Chicago airport has many fights, and terminals can be congested. It experiences frequent delays and long lines at security checkpoints. According to the airport’s website, the maximum walking time between terminals is 20 minutes, and a train connects passengers between gates.

This is another airport that often experiences delays due to unfavorable weather conditions. In addition, travelers say that staff could have been more helpful and sometimes made matters worse by giving them the wrong information. Also, food options and WiFi weren’t rated highly.

3. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) Utah

At least 70% of the traffic is flying Delta in SLC, so it’s one of Delta’s major hubs in the U.S. Customers complained of limited amenities, a need for more dining and shopping options, and better signage.

Finance Buzz says the longest walk between any two terminals is 22 minutes, and travelers say the lack of moving walkways does not make this easier. An underground tunnel connects the gates, but many people seem unaware of this. The main delays here appear to be due to lines at security and the time taken to get baggage from the carousel.

4. John Wayne Airport (SNA) California

John Wayne Airport is a smaller airport in Orange County with fewer flight options than larger hubs. The Finance Buzz study says the longest time it takes to get between terminals is about 15 minutes. However, there are only three terminals here and no connecting train or shuttle.

Despite indicating that walking time for connecting flights might be lengthy, visitors rated the airport highly. They said queuing times weren’t too bad, staff were helpful, and food options were average for the size of the airport.

5. LaGuardia Airport (LGA) New York

If you need to walk between terminals, you might want to ensure your step counter works because it could be up to a 39-minute walk from one gate to another. However, if you don’t have the time, you’ll be happy to know there’s a shuttle bus between terminals with an average time of 10 minutes between buses.

Travelers have mixed opinions on LaGuardia Airport. In the last few years, it has undergone a major overhaul, and a new terminal has been added. Guests like the cleanliness, facilities, and space in the new terminals. Others complain about the lack of signage and said the shuttle bus didn’t drop them close enough to the gates.

6. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) New York

Travelers’ biggest problem at JFK is interactions with staff, including the TSA. As many point out, the way employees of the airport interact with people can sometimes make or break how you feel about a place. Given that they’re sometimes your first introduction to a new destination, they’re also unwitting ambassadors for their cities.

There is a 17-minute walk between security and the furthest gate — the longest walk between gates can take up to 38 minutes. However, there is an AirTrain that can take travelers between terminals.

7. Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport (MSP) Minnesota

The longest walk between two gates here is 28 minutes, and you can use the light rail to travel between terminals. However, that’s not why this airport is a connection nightmare. Most complaints for MSP centered around the incredibly rude staff at security and TSA. Some people reported being yelled at. Others said that the elderly and disabled weren’t treated with respect.

People said the facilities were good, and the food selections were average. However, the biggest suggestion would be for MSP to have more staff and train them in customer service. While their role is security, a little friendliness can make things much smoother.

8. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Texas

AUS is a relatively small airport. Despite that, the Finance Buzz report says there is a maximum 15-minute walk between gates.

Travelers complained that the airport’s facilities were unclean. They also had issues with poor customer service and finding seats to wait for flights. The airport plans to expand to meet the growing demand of travelers, so we hope they will have the staff to match.

9. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) California

LAX is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving as a major international gateway. However, its terminals are spread out over a U-shape, with the International terminal in the middle. You’ll definitely get a workout if you need to quickly get from Terminal 1 to Tom Bradley International. Walking to terminals four through seven is like running a small marathon —you’re looking at a brisk 53 minutes. There is a courtesy shuttle that takes passengers between terminals which does cut down on some of the walk.

Reviews on SkyTrax range from people praising the new changes that have occurred at LAX to others saying staff were rude. At least four people mentioned they had trouble obtaining wheelchairs and were treated badly. Travelers also said the food options weren’t great.

10. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) Michigan

DTW is another major hub for Delta Air Lines, but its terminal layout can confuse passengers making connections. The airport’s McNamara Terminal, in particular, is known for its long concourses, which can require a lot of walking between gates. This isn’t great news for people with small connection windows. The better news is that there’s an ExpressTram that can take you between gates for a shorter walk.

Travelers liked the cleanliness of the airport and that it had plenty of available seats in the waiting areas. The main issues were related to the congested traffic outside the terminal, which prevented shuttle buses and other transport from getting through.

11. Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) Virginia

This hub for American and United Airlines experiences average delays of over an hour. That may be good if you only have a short time between flights. If you wanted to walk to your connecting gate, however, you could be looking at a lengthy journey — especially with suitcases in tow.

If you have lounge access, you’ll have great food options. If not, some travelers suggest that choices here are limited.

12. Sacramento International Airport (SMF) California

Despite being a relatively small airport with only two terminals, SMF has approximately 10 million people passing through it yearly. One in every five flights is delayed by an average of one hour, and the walk between terminals is not lengthy.

Passengers complained of waiting too long for bag retrieval. People also said there were many eateries available after security but nothing prior.

13. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) Louisiana

Rather than upgrading the old MSY terminal, they built a brand new one in a separate location. As a result, the new layout and facilities are more favorable to travelers. If your connecting flight happens to be with the same airline, you’ll most likely land and depart in the same terminal, meaning minimal walking distance.

If you had to change terminals, however the maximum walking time between gates is 24 minutes. The airport is relatively small, so there are no shuttles to help cut down on time. The facilities here reflect the culture of New Orleans, so even if you’re not staying for long, you can sample some Cajun cuisine or check out the jazz band playing in the baggage hall.

14. Dallas Love Field (DAL) Texas

This is a secondary airport for the Dallas area and serves domestic connections. It’s also very small, so you’ll have minimal walking times between gates. In fact, your total walking time would be a maximum of six minutes.

Despite the airport’s size, it can still get crowded, so congestion may be an issue, especially through TSA. This won’t be an issue if you’ve booked your connection as a single ticket. Two separate tickets mean you must collect your bags and deal with the TSA queues.

15. St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) Missouri

STL is a regional airport that is somewhat small and has only two terminals. Most connections will take you under ten minutes, but if you have to travel from one end of terminal one to terminal two and vice versa, your maximum walk time is 24 minutes.

Terminal one has been refurbished and is rated favorably by travelers for its facilities, but terminal two could use some love. Despite the update, guests still aren’t impressed with their customer service experience.

16. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) Washington

The main complaints with DCA concerned baggage collection wait times and the availability of seats near gates. Other than that, guests enjoy the shops and dining options that are available between the three terminals.

Your maximum walk time between terminals A and C would be 18 minutes. If you have to go back through security, your walk time is only seven minutes.

17. Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) North Carolina

If you find yourself having to connect through this regional airport, the maximum walking time anywhere is 11 minutes. There are only two terminals, and terminal two has better facilities and dining options than terminal one.

Travelers weren’t thrilled with customer service or interactions with TSA staff. They also felt the signage and maps could be better. If you need to recheck, there are limited dining options prior to security.

18. San Antonio International Airport (SAT) Texas

This regional airport receives a high rating for customer service, which is a welcome change from guest experiences at many other airports. There are only two terminals here, but if you need to walk from the furthest gate, your maximum walk time could be up to 19 minutes. The minimum connection time is 5 minutes.

Customers’ main issues with this airport include waiting time for baggage, which isn’t a concern on a single ticket while flying domestically. Many also said the signage between transfer areas was lacking.

19. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) Washington

Two years ago, SEA gained four-star status with SkyTrax. Several components contribute to this, including major upgrades and additions such as an interfaith prayer room and a sensory room set up for neurodiverse customers, such as those with ADHD or Autism who need a space if they feel overstimulated or overwhelmed.

The Washington airport gets a higher-than-average rating for customer service and its range of shops and food options. It also scores well with walking distances between gates and easier security screening processes, saving time during transfers.

20. Bradley International Airport (BDL) Connecticut

Bradley International is the major airport for Hartford, Connecticut, and, with two terminals, is the second-largest airport in New England. The farthest gate only takes six minutes to walk from security and a few minutes to transfer between gates, making it an ideal airport transfer.

This airport doesn’t have a SkyTrax rating but does have customer reviews, which indicate that travelers mostly find the airport a pleasant experience. Guests like BDL for its cleanliness, waiting areas, and food options. They also find the staff helpful.

21. Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) Florida

There are three terminals at JAX, with A and C serving Delta and its affiliates. The main central terminal serves all other airlines, including Southwest, American, and Jet Blue, among others. Despite the report from Finance Buzz stating there’s a relatively short walk between the terminals, a shuttle bus is available every 10 to 15 minutes.

Travelers praised the staff, security, and cleanliness of the airport. The only downside is that food options are limited.

22. Boise Airport (BOI) Idaho

Boise is a joint civil-military regional airport with one terminal. From security, you’ll only have a six-minute walk and three minutes between gates. Nine major domestic airlines serve the airport.

Despite this being a small airport, people complained about the disorganization of the queues and the TSA being rude. They also said there weren’t many places to eat.

23. Tampa International Airport (TPA) Florida

The people who designed this airport were really thinking ahead. The layout is ideal, meaning there’s a relatively short walk from security and in between gates.

Travelers enjoy how clean it is and the range of dining options. People transferring to connecting flights found the security screening process to be efficient.

24. Richmond International Airport (RIC) Virginia

Located in Virginia, RIC is both a public and a military airport. Nine major airlines operate from this one terminal airport. Given its small size, it’s understandable that it only takes a few minutes to transfer between gates.

Customers enjoy RIC mainly because of the reduced wait time in all areas of the airport. However, people said that the staff was rude and there weren’t many food options.

25. William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) Texas

Located just 11 miles from downtown Houston, HOU is smaller than its counterpart in the north, George Bush Intercontinental (IAH). This one terminal airport services major domestic airlines such as American, Delta, JetBlue, and Southwest.

The longest walk between gates for transfers is 11 minutes, and customer service is rated as exemplary. Travelers also rated the security process and signage as exceptional. This airport is one of only two with a five-star rating in North America on SkyTrax. If you happen to have the choice to transfer through this airport, it appears to be the ideal experience.