Largest number of airports rated as most disappointing (as determined by TikTok users)

Largest number of airports rated as most disappointing (as determined by TikTok users)

If you've ever sprinted through a terminal, questioned your life choices in a passport control line, or shed a tear in front of a broken baggage carousel, don't worry, you're far from alone. We scoured TikTok (yeah, that social media platform) to find out which airports travelers detest the most. Check out this video that kicked everything off.

Now, we didn't make these complaints ourselves, but we couldn't help but share them with you. Our site can assist with protecting your trip if things go sideways, but we can't magic away a poorly marked terminal or mystery sushi from a sketchy food court.

Here are the top airports travelers love to gripe about and the reasons why:

1. Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL)

ATL claimed the crown for airport agony, with an impressive 13.5% of all mentions and a whopping 19.2% of mentions among domestic airports. Endless terminal layouts and tight connections triggered the most anxiety here.

• "Feels like running a 5K."
• "The 8th circle of hell."
• "Atlanta, why is my luggage and gate always miles away?"
• "It might as well be its own city getting from a gate to just customs."

2. London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

Heathrow ruled the roost among international airport complaints, claiming a staggering 30% of mentions. Travelers highlighted gate confusion and stressful security procedures.

• "London Heathrow airport-I can't express enough how much I hate it there."
• "Didn't announce my gate until boarding started, causing pure stress."
• "London Heathrow is the only acceptable answer."
• "Only metal seats-very few charging ports! I once was stuck there for 24 hours!"

3. Miami International Airport (MIA)

Travelers called Miami "overcrowded, chaotic, and inconvenient" landing it in third place with 4.68% overall mentions and 8.5% among domestic airport mentions. Cleanliness concerns were also notably higher here.

• "Miami Airport runs on hopes and ideas."
• "As a flight attendant who has traveled the WORLD, I have to say that Miami International is THE worst!"
• "MIAMI. You could not pay me to return there."
• "Had only one TSA agent checking ppl's passports-many ppl missed their flights!!"

4. Orlando International Airport (MCO)

The family-friendly getaway wasn't so welcoming, with 4.61% of overall mentions from angry airport-goers. Crowds of Disney-bound travelers and overwhelming security lines made this a common complaint.

• "I was on the TSA line for 3 hours, and it was jam-packed. It looked like Times Square on New Year's Eve."
• "Orlando is the worst airport on this planet."
• "It feels like the entire country is in one terminal."
• "I live in Orlando and I will die on the hill saying MCO is the worst."

5. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Chronic congestion and never-ending construction earned LAX 4.09% of frustrated comments.

• "One TSA agent per 1000 people, it is literal hell. Will avoid it like the plague."
• "Rude people, overcrowded, and they always damage my belongings."
• "Getting in and out is a nightmare. Food options suck. Always under construction."
• "LAX and I'm an LA native. The layout is tragic."

6. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)

Europe's mega-hub snagged 3.74% of overall mentions, and ranked second internationally (16%), thanks to luggage hiccups and chaotic customs.

• "Charles de Gaulle loses my luggage 50% of the time."
• "Every single sign points in the same direction. NIGHTMARE."
• "Zero organization, people everywhere, dirty."
• "Signs? Never heard of them. Helpful staff? Satan's helpers."

7. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

Frequently delayed flights, outdated terminals, and poor amenities earned Newark 3.91% of overall mentions, resonating strongly among domestic travelers.

• "Newark-always delayed or cancelled."
• "Dirty, poor food choices, no lounges."
• "I've been stuck on the tarmac for 2+ hours in Newark at least twice in my life."
• "Got snowed in. There was no hotel we could get into. The staff just left all of us in a blizzard to fend for ourselves."

8. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

ORD tied Newark at 3.91% of overall mentions, frequently cited for terminal confusion and luggage woes.

• "Layout is so stupid and they lost my luggage twice."
• "Should be called O'Hell. Completely disorganized."
• "Closed terminals, waited in a cold lobby at 5 am."
• "Gotta SPRINT everywhere so you don't miss your connecting flight."

9. Denver International Airport (DEN)

DEN drew 3.87% of overall mentions due to its sprawling, confusing layout and frequent construction detours.

• "Denver. Customs is a minimum of a 2 hour wait."
• "I don't trust Denver-always some sort of delay."
• "I have a one-sided feud with the Denver Airport."
• "DENVER!!!! (It's not a bad airport, I just get overwhelmed and cry when I'm there.)"

10. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

Rounding out the list, JFK drew consistent complaints (2.89%) for outdated infrastructure and stressful international flights.

• "JFK. Especially the international terminal. It's a mess."
• "Too big, yet it looks like it's still in the 1960s."
• "I waited over 2 hours for my luggage at JFK."
• "We got to the airport 5 hours early and almost missed our flight due to TSA!"

These are the primary complaints travelers vented about:

Top overall complaints:

• Poor food options (24.16%)
• Confusing layouts (22.65%)
• Overcrowding (20.15%)

Most-mentioned international airports:

• London Heathrow (30%)
• Paris Charles de Gaulle (16%)
• Singapore Changi (12.2%)

Most-mentioned domestic airports:

• Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (19.2%)
• Miami International (8.5%)
• Orlando International (8.3%)

Whenencountering airport difficulties such as long lines, flight delays, and lost luggage, it's essential to have insurance that can help protect your travels. Our site offers assistance in such situations, although we can't fix poorly marked terminals or questionable food court offerings.

After investigating travel gripes on TikTok, it appears that travelers frequently express frustration with airports like Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International (ATL), London Heathrow Airport (LHR), Miami International Airport (MIA), Orlando International Airport (MCO), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Denver International Airport (DEN), and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

The top complaints voiced by travelers in these airports are poor food options, confusing layouts, and overcrowding. Among international airports, London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle receive significant negative feedback, while Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, Miami International, and Orlando International are the most-mentioned domestic airports with complaints.

Specific grievances include Atlanta's endless terminal layouts and tight connections, London Heathrow's gate confusion and stressful security procedures, Miami being considered overcrowded, chaotic, and inconvenient, and Orlando's crowded security lines. Los Angeles International Airport is known for its chronic congestion and never-ending construction, while Paris Charles de Gaulle experiences frequent luggage hiccups and chaotic customs. Newark Liberty and Chicago O'Hare International airports earn criticism for terminal confusion and luggage woes, and Denver International Airport is often criticized for its sprawling, confusing layout and frequent construction detours. John F. Kennedy International Airport gains complaints for outdated infrastructure and stressful international flights.

In addition to these issues, travelers also stress about lifestyle and entertainment offerings in these airports, with many expressing disappointment and frustration in this realm as well.

Read also: