Nobody books a trip just to see the departure gate, but some airports make the journey harder than it needs to be. Long lines, late flights, packed terminals and confusing layouts can wear out even the most cheerful traveler.
Recent studies from AirHelp, Which? and J.D. Power point to 15 airports that passengers love to complain about.
Here is a look at what goes wrong at each one, and how to plan around it.
Tunis-Carthage International Airport, Tunisia
Last place is a tough title, but Tunis-Carthage earned it. In AirHelp’s 2026 ranking of 279 airports, it landed at the very bottom with a score of just 5.50 out of 10.
Only 53 percent of flights ran on time, the lowest rate in the whole study.
That number matters because punctuality makes up 60 percent of the final score. When more than four in ten flights run late, the whole airport feels the strain.
Travelers have also mentioned uneven experiences once the terminal gets busy.
The sad part is what waits outside the doors. Tunis, the ancient ruins of Carthage and the blue and white streets of Sidi Bou Said are all close by.
Few places in North Africa offer so much history in such a small area.
There is a bright spot, though. AirHelp notes that signs and border control have shown signs of improvement.
Still, delays remain the big headache.
A smart plan is to avoid tight connections and keep your afternoon free on arrival day. Pack a charger, a snack and a little patience.
Your sightseeing will taste sweeter after the wait is over.
Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, Pakistan
Ranked 278th out of 279, Lahore’s main airport sits one spot above the bottom. AirHelp gave it an overall score of 6.40 in 2026.
Only about 61 percent of flights arrived on time.
Late planes are bad enough on their own. They get worse when you have a connection to catch, because one slow flight can ruin the whole itinerary.
Even when the terminal itself is manageable, the waiting game drains energy fast.
Lahore deserves a better welcome. The city is packed with Mughal forts, buzzing food streets, colorful markets and centuries-old mosques.
It is one of the most culturally rich places in Pakistan.
Visitors expect a smooth start to that adventure. Instead, the airport often hands them a test of patience.
If you are flying through Lahore, book longer layovers than you think you need. Check your flight status often and keep your hotel informed about late arrivals.
A little planning keeps the stress from following you into the old city.
Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Picture a huge crowd squeezed into a space built for far fewer people. That is Tan Son Nhat on a busy day.
The airport handles enormous demand on a small city site, and the pressure shows.
AirHelp ranked it 277th in 2026, with only 57 percent of flights on time. Travelers also complain about packed terminals and heavy traffic on the roads around the airport.
Getting there can be as tiring as getting through it.
Relief is on the way. Vietnam is building the giant Long Thanh International Airport outside Ho Chi Minh City to ease the load.
Until that project grows into its role, the old favorite has to keep working overtime.
Holiday weeks and weekends are the toughest. Domestic flights fill the terminal, and lines can stretch longer than expected.
The fix is simple. Leave for the airport early, allow extra time for check-in and security, and never book a very tight connection.
A calm start beats a sprint to the gate.
Hurghada International Airport, Egypt
Sun, sand and a very long queue. Hurghada is the front door to Egypt’s Red Sea resorts, and that door gets jammed.
AirHelp placed it 276th out of 279 airports in 2026, with a score of 6.51.
About 63 percent of flights ran on time. That is not great news when your beach towel is waiting.
Waves of package-tour passengers, especially from Europe, arrive together and fill check-in and security areas.
The mismatch is striking. Visitors come for coral reefs, clear water and resort pools.
Yet the start and end of the trip can feel anything but relaxing.
Peak holiday periods are the roughest. Everyone seems to leave at once, and the lines show it.
Here is a friendly tip: arrive early for your flight home and treat the airport as the final chapter of the holiday. Keep passports and boarding passes handy, and pack snacks for long waits.
A few extra minutes of planning can save you a lot of grumbling.
Islamabad International Airport, Pakistan
Brand new and still struggling, that is the odd story of Islamabad International. It opened in 2018, so you might expect smooth sailing.
AirHelp still ranked it 275th in 2026, with a score of 6.55.
The terminal is spacious and modern, and many travelers like the open design. The trouble lies elsewhere.
Delays and uneven service pulled the overall result down, especially when the airport gets busy.
Here is the interesting part. Many low-ranked airports are stuck with old buildings and little room to grow.
Islamabad already has most of the infrastructure it needs.
That means the fixes may be simpler. Better timing, steadier operations and more consistent service could lift its reputation without any new concrete.
For travelers, the advice is practical. Check flight times before leaving for the airport and build in a buffer for connections.
Enjoy the roomy halls while you wait, because the space is one thing this airport truly gets right.
Humberto Delgado Airport, Lisbon, Portugal
Two hours in a passport line is a long time to think about pastel de nata. In March 2026, border queues at Lisbon reportedly stretched about that long during one peak period.
Humberto Delgado ranked 274th in AirHelp’s 2026 study, with a score of 6.58. Just 63 percent of flights arrived on time.
Lisbon is now one of Europe’s favorite city-break spots, and its airport has not kept up with the crowds.
Space is the root problem. The airport is hemmed in by the city, so there is little room to expand.
Passenger numbers keep climbing anyway.
Portugal plans to build a new airport to ease the strain. For now, though, travelers must deal with the old one.
If you are flying in, keep your documents ready and be patient at border control. If you are flying out, arrive earlier than usual.
Then you can still enjoy one last custard tart before takeoff.
Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi, Vietnam
Big and modern does not always mean punctual. Noi Bai is larger and newer than many airports near the bottom of the list, yet it ranked 273rd in AirHelp’s 2026 evaluation.
About 62 percent of flights arrived on time. Because punctuality counts for 60 percent of the score, late planes hurt the ranking a lot.
The terminal may be pleasant, but a delayed flight can spoil the mood fast.
That difference is worth remembering. A shiny building cannot make up for a missed connection.
Travelers judge an airport by whether they reach their destination when expected.
Hanoi is a joy to explore, with its Old Quarter, lakeside walks and legendary street food. You want to start that fun on time.
If you are changing planes to another Vietnamese city, give yourself plenty of room. Do not assume a short transfer will go smoothly.
A longer layover costs a little time but saves a lot of worry.
Da Nang International Airport, Vietnam
Beaches, lanterns and a slow flight schedule. Da Nang has modernized fast as tourism along Vietnam’s central coast has boomed.
Punctuality, however, has not kept pace.
AirHelp ranked the airport 272nd in 2026, with only about 60 percent of flights on time. The report called on-time performance its Achilles’ heel.
The terminal can feel perfectly fine until the departure board starts flashing delays.
That is a shame, because Da Nang is one of the easiest cities in Vietnam to enjoy. Hoi An’s old town and the Marble Mountains are close, and the beaches are wide and welcoming.
Many visitors arrive ready to relax. A late flight chips away at that holiday glow before it even begins.
The best defense is smart scheduling. Avoid tight connections on arrival day and do not book a hard-to-change tour for the same evening.
Keep your driver or hotel informed, and the coastline will still be waiting when you get there.
Rhodes Diagoras International Airport, Greece
Summer on Rhodes is lovely, and everyone knows it. That is exactly why the airport struggles.
Diagoras ranked 271st in AirHelp’s 2026 study, with about 65 percent of flights on time.
Charter and low-cost flights pour in during the warm months. Check-in areas, gates and seating all feel the squeeze.
Queues grow and tempers can follow.
The good news is that the airport is compact. AirHelp describes it as fairly easy to find your way around once you get past the crowded bits.
You will not wander lost for long.
Unfortunately, those first stages can be rough. Peak days bring long lines before you can even reach the quieter areas.
The island itself stays spectacular, with its medieval old town and sparkling bays. To keep the airport from dimming that shine, arrive early on your departure day.
Pack a refillable bottle, a hat and a little humor. A relaxed attitude is the best carry-on.
Grantley Adams International Airport, Barbados
Barbados sounds like a postcard, but its airport did not get the memo. Grantley Adams finished 270th of 279 airports in AirHelp’s 2026 ranking, with a score of 6.67.
Around 67 percent of flights arrived on time. As a key Caribbean gateway, the airport handles regional, North American and European flights.
Those services can bunch together and create bursts of crowding.
On a quiet day, the experience can be perfectly easy. When flights run late, though, satisfaction drops quickly.
Nobody wants to sit under fluorescent lights while the ocean sparkles just a few miles away.
The ranking shows that even a premium vacation spot can have a shaky airport. Fancy resorts and rum cocktails do not fix a delayed departure.
A good tip is to check your airline’s updates before leaving your hotel. Plan a relaxed morning rather than a rushed one.
Then, if the flight is late, you can at least keep your sunscreen glow and your sense of humor.
Manchester Airport, England
Which? did not hold back. It named Manchester Terminal 3 the UK’s worst airport in its 2026 survey.
Passengers complained about long walks, queues, limited seating and a layout that left them confused after terminal changes.
AirHelp also ranked Manchester 269th worldwide in 2026, making it one of Europe’s weakest performers that year. The airport disagrees with some of the negative surveys.
It says its own passenger feedback is much stronger.
Big money is on the way. A major investment is underway to improve Terminal 3, which may fix many of the complaints.
Change takes time, though, and travelers are living with the work in progress now.
If you can choose, compare nearby options. Liverpool, for example, may be far less stressful for some trips.
If Manchester is your only choice, wear comfy shoes for those long walks. Arrive early, learn the gate signs and grab a seat when you find one.
A bit of preparation goes a long way.
Heraklion International Airport, Crete, Greece
Imagine a terminal built for a smaller era trying to handle a summer tourism tidal wave. That is Heraklion.
In AirHelp’s 2026 rankings it placed 268th worldwide, among the five lowest-rated airports in Europe.
Crowding is the main complaint. Departure areas fill up, seats vanish and space gets tight.
Peak season makes it worse, when huge numbers of holidaymakers arrive and leave in the same hours.
Crete is a giant treasure box of ancient palaces, mountain villages and sandy coves. It deserves a gateway that feels as grand as the island.
Help is coming. A new airport at Kasteli is under development to replace the current one.
When it opens, travelers should see a big change.
Until then, summer passengers should expect a packed experience. Arrive early, carry water and keep snacks handy.
Crete will feel much more relaxing once you leave the terminal doors behind.
Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, France
Landing beside the Mediterranean is a treat, but the walk through the terminal can be less glamorous. Nice Côte d’Azur finished 267th in AirHelp’s 2026 study, putting it among Europe’s five weakest airports in the ranking.
Seasonal demand is heavy. Visitors flock in for Nice, Monaco, Cannes and the wider French Riviera.
That flood of travelers can strain every part of the airport.
Punctuality carries great weight in AirHelp’s scoring. When delays pile up, they can overshadow otherwise respectable facilities.
A pretty setting cannot hide a late departure board.
There is still one big advantage. The airport sits close to central Nice, so you can reach your hotel quickly once you land.
Even so, a gorgeous approach over the coast does not guarantee a smooth trip through the building. Pack patience, check your flight updates and avoid squeezing in a tight connection.
Then the Riviera’s sparkle can take over the moment you step outside.
Philadelphia International Airport, Pennsylvania
Five hundred seventy points. That is the score that put Philadelphia International at the bottom of the large-airport category in J.D.
Power’s 2025 North America Airport Satisfaction Study. The segment average was 644.
This ranking looks at the whole airport experience, not just late flights. That makes the result stand out for such an important East Coast gateway.
Passengers often have to move between connected terminals, and congestion adds to the hassle.
Older sections of the complex can also feel less polished than newer rivals. Fresh paint and shiny shops only go so far.
Travelers notice when a place feels tired.
Still, Philadelphia is very useful for regional and international connections. Many people have no choice but to pass through it.
If you do have options, compare nearby airports such as Baltimore or Newark before you book. Look at prices, schedules and driving time.
If Philly wins, give yourself time to walk between terminals and grab a famous soft pretzel on the way.
Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, Canada
One point separated Montréal from last place. In J.D.
Power’s 2025 large-airport category, Montréal-Trudeau scored 571, just above Philadelphia and far below the average of 644.
These satisfaction studies look at much more than delays. They consider ease of travel, terminal facilities, food and shops, and the overall feel of the airport.
A low score means passengers were unhappy across many areas.
Montréal is one of Canada’s most important international gateways, so skipping it is not always possible. Many travelers connect through it or fly in for the city’s food, festivals and French flair.
The result shows something useful. A famous destination and a wide route network do not guarantee an airport people enjoy.
To make the best of it, arrive with extra time and a plan. Eat before you go through security if lines are long, and keep your documents handy.
Once you reach the city streets, the bagels and cafes will make up for the wait.
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