These are the most — and least — stressful airports in the US

Alex Mitchell
·2 min read
The top five U.S. flight hubs that consistently kept travelers at ease in January 2024 have been revealed — as well as the five with the most disruptions.
The top five U.S. flight hubs that consistently kept travelers at ease in January 2024 have been revealed -- as well as the five with the most disruptions.

A new report has outlined the top five U.S. flight hubs that consistently kept travelers at ease and on time in January 2024 — while also listing off the five that had the most disruptions at the start of the new year.

The new data from airfare claims company AirHelp found California’s Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to have “best handled January’s air travel,” according to The Sacramento Bee.

“SMF, which is one of the country’s busiest airports, was able to deliver passengers with exceptional reliability,” Airhelp reported.

The northern California airport had an uninterrupted on-time percentage of 82.30% of flights.

“All of us here at SMF take great pride in minimizing the stresses traditionally associated with air travel,” Colm Marmion, customer service manager at Sacramento International Airport, told the Bee.

Sacramento International Airport was ranked the least stressful for January. Getty Images
Sacramento International Airport was ranked the least stressful for January. Getty Images

“Providing our customers the most enjoyable experience possible is always a high priority,” Marmion added. “A big part of that is ensuring every touchpoint along their airport journey is easy and enjoyable.”

The pleasant surprise comes shortly after an unrelated report warning that the future of air travel will be riddled with delays due to short staffing and an overwhelming number of travelers.

On the other hand, the most notable airport that “failed to deliver a stress-free experience to their passengers” last month was the Empire State’s Buffalo Niagara International Airport.

The Western New York airport is located in an area that was blasted with torrential lake-effect snow and other severe weather issues in January.

Another major U.S. hub and several airports in the Midwest also hit turbulence. See the best and worst results below.

Airports with the most on-time flights on time in January

Tucson International Airport was ranked as one of the most stress-free airports last month. Shutterstock
Tucson International Airport was ranked as one of the most stress-free airports last month. Shutterstock

  • Sacramento International Airport: 82.30% of flights on time

  • San Jose International Airport: 82.06%

  • Tucson International Airport in Arizona: 81.33%

  • Reno/Tahoe International Airport in Nevada: 81.18%

  • Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Georgia: 80.47%

Airports with the most disruptions

Buffalo’s airport had the most disruptions in January, according to a report. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Buffalo’s airport had the most disruptions in January, according to a report. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

  • Buffalo Niagara International Airport in New York: 60.82%

  • Chicago O’Hare International Airport: 61.16%

  • Des Moines International Airport: 61.98%

  • Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan: 62.23%

  • Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport: 64.77%