10 Airports Guaranteed to Make Your Holiday Travel More Stressful

With the holidays fast approaching, many people are putting the final touches on their travel plans, packing their bags, and preparing to fly out to visit family and friends. But before you board that plane, it’s worth considering the airports you’re departing from and if they have layovers. 

While some airports are known for their cleanliness, easy navigation, and minimal delays, others are notorious for long wait times, confusing layouts, and poor overall travel experiences. Read on as I highlight the worst airports for holiday travel to help you prepare for a smoother journey this season.

1. San Francisco International Airport, California

If you’ve seen the movie Four Christmases, you might already know that San Francisco isn’t the best airport to fly out of due to frequent weather delays.

San Francisco International Airport is notorious for travel disruptions, largely thanks to the city’s infamous fog and low visibility, which frequently cause delays and cancellations. With heavy holiday crowds added to the mix, the airport can become quite chaotic during the season.

2. Seattle/Tacoma International Airport, Washington

Next up is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Known for the Pacific Northwest’s cloudy, rainy weather, Seattle often experiences heavy rain and low visibility, leading to frequent flight delays. 

Additionally, while Sea-Tac is a popular airport for arrivals and layovers, it’s relatively small, which means limited space for the high volume of travelers. This creates crowding, making it one of the toughest airports to navigate during the holiday season due to delays and overcrowding.

3. Chicago Midway International Airport, Illinois

Chicago is notorious for its crazy weather during the holiday season—it is the Windy City, after all. With freezing temperatures, massive snowstorms, and high winds, the city often experiences delayed and canceled flights, an experience no one wants during the holidays.

Midway is also one of the busiest airports to fly in and out of, yet it’s relatively small compared to other major U.S. airports. This can make it challenging to navigate, find personal space, and move around comfortably, especially on days with delays or cancellations.

4. John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York

I’ve flown in and out of JFK many times around the holiday season, always hoping for smooth and quick travels. During this time, John F. Kennedy International Airport is packed with people flying from New York to destinations across the U.S. and internationally, creating large crowds throughout the airport. 

Its popularity also means heavy road traffic getting to the airport. If you’re taking a taxi or Uber, plan to leave several hours early, as roads can become very congested. Combine this with New York’s winter weather, including rain, snow, wind, and low visibility, and you’ll need to be prepared for possible delays and cancellations.

5. Washington Dulles International Airport, Virginia

I’m from central Virginia and often fly out of Washington Dulles International Airport because it usually offers better flight deals than the smaller airports near my hometown. However, if you’re coming from Washington, D.C., getting to Dulles can be a bit tricky since it’s located quite a distance outside the city. This results in a long commute and heavy traffic, especially during the holidays when the airport sees more travelers.

Like many airports on this list, Dulles also faces weather-related delays during the holiday season, which is never ideal. What really makes Dulles one of the worst airports to fly out of, though, is its terminal layout and long walks. While other airports are designed for a smoother travel experience, Dulles can feel like a maze, with long, tiring walks that make it harder to navigate and get to where you need to go.

6. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Maryland

BWI is another airport I don’t recommend flying in or out of during the holiday season. The main issue is the sheer number of people traveling through it. Its convenient location between Washington D.C. and Baltimore means it serves as a hub for travelers from both major cities, resulting in long lines at ticket counters, security, and even restaurants. 

In addition, the roads leading to the airport are often clogged with holiday travelers, so be prepared for heavy traffic and plan to leave hours in advance. When you factor in the long wait times, limited space due to the crowds, and the possibility of weather-related delays, BWI can become chaotic during the holiday season, making it one of the lead airports I wouldn’t recommend.

7. Orlando Sanford International Airport, Florida

Florida is known for its sunshine and rainbows, but not necessarily for those traveling in and out of the Orlando Sanford International Airport. Although it’s one of the smaller airports in the area, it still handles a large volume of passengers during the holiday season. Due to its size, the crowds feel much larger, resulting in long waits at ticket counters, security, boarding, and even bathrooms. 

With fewer flight options available, delays or cancellations can create a major headache as rescheduling becomes more difficult. Overall, it’s a hectic holiday airport, so be prepared if you find yourself flying through here.

8. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Texas

Dallas/Fort Worth Airport is another one that deserves a spot on this list. I’ve flown in and out of DFW many times and had positive and negative experiences.

A few years ago, around Thanksgiving, my family and I tried to fly out of Dallas to return home, only to face hours of delays and cancellations due to bad weather. It created chaos in the airport as everyone scrambled to get on the next available flight or get on standby.

In addition to delays, DFW can be particularly challenging for those with layovers due to its enormous size. Navigating the airport can be time-consuming, so it’s important to ensure you have a long enough layover to avoid rushing to your next gate.

9. Charlotte Douglas International Airport, North Carolina

I like the Charlotte Airport. It’s probably because my hometown airport only connects through Charlotte, so it’s a great hub for traveling anywhere. However, I have to admit that flying out of here during the holiday season can be a nightmare. 

It’s not because of the airport’s size—it’s actually a nice balance between big and small—but the overwhelming number of people traveling through. This leads to overcrowded terminals, limited seating, and long lines. 

To top it off, like many airports on this list, Charlotte experiences frequent delays and cancellations due to winter weather. With so many travelers, it can be a real hassle trying to get on the next flight or even speaking to a customer service agent. So, be prepared if you find yourself navigating these challenges this holiday season.

10. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Florida

Last but not least is the Fort Lauderdale Airport. During the holiday season, the airport sees a significant increase in travelers, resulting in long lines. It’s a good idea to arrive a few hours early, as getting through the ticket counter and TSA can take some time. 

Additionally, since the airport is smaller compared to other major U.S. airports, you’ll encounter larger crowds and fewer flight options. This makes it even more challenging when weather delays and cancellations occur, as rebooking can take a while. Overall, it’s a hectic airport to navigate during the holiday rush.

What’s Your Least Favorite Airport During The Holiday Season?

Tell us which one is your least favorite and all about your experience in the comments!