From delayed flights and crowded terminals, to unsettling security screening and baggage worries, navigating an airport can often test the calmest of travellers.
But for those passing through specific hubs in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Southwest Europe, they may face even higher levels of frustration.
According to a newly released index by travel insurance comparison platfrom, iService, Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey has been ranked as the most stressful airport worldwide.
The index assessed 50 major airports across the globe, measuring factors such as immigration and customs efficiency, security screening, check-in waiting times, and overall accessibility.
Scoring 18.46 out of 100 on the index, Jersey City’s primary airport has been named a hotspot for travel stress, ranking in with the worst check-in score in the list and the second-worst score for ease of getting to the airport with a score of 74 per cent.
Following closely in second place is Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport, with a score 22.5 out of 100.
The Portuguese travel hub had the highest delayed departure time of any airport in the index, with an average of 27.39 minutes in the past year. Adding to this was their flight cancellation rate of 1.49 per cent, which was third worst in the index.
Rounding off the top three is Manchester Airport, beating all airports in the United Kingdom with a score of 23.10 out of 100.
Manchester Airport recorded the index’s lowest baggage claim satisfaction at 69 per cent, a figure mirrored by its 69 per cent rating for security wait times.
U.S. hubs, such as New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport, also scored poorly, landing fourth and fifth respectively.
On the flip side, the chaos of modern air travel all but disappears when flying in or out of Singapore.
According to the index, Singapore Changi Airport has been crowned the least stressful airport in the world, earning the highest overall score across all categories.
It also recorded the second lowest rate of flight cancellations globally, narrowly missing the top spot to Seoul.
The airport’s latest achievement comes as little surprise, given its record-breaking 13-year streak of winning Skytrax’s World’s Best Airport award.
Rounding off the top three least stressful airports are Doha’s Hamad International Airport in second place, followed by Seoul’s Incheon International Airport in third.
For travellers passing through Changi, the airport itself is worth allocating extra time to explore.
Visitors can unwind at attractions such as the butterfly garden, catch a film at the free 24-hour cinema, or even try indoor rock climbing at the Climb T3 facility.
And no visit is complete without a stop at Jewel Changi, the airport’s lifestyle complex featuring the world’s largest indoor waterfall (131ft), lush greenery, and open recreational spaces.
It comes after the world’s best airport and airline have been revealed by Forbes Travel Guide.
For the second year running, Emirates won best international airline – no surprise, given the popularity of the airline and its reputation for luxury, elegance and high-quality service.
