A recent study conducted by Rightway Parking, a Tampa‑based airport and cruise parking reservation firm, evaluated 55 of the United States’ busiest airports. Using 2025 flight data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the analysis weighed on‑time performance, cancellations, changes in delay patterns and the distance and travel time from each airport to its nearest downtown area.
Dallas/Fort Worth tops the list
The study identified Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) as the most stressful airport in the country. Nearly 28% of flights departing DFW were delayed, while 2.76% were cancelled. The report also noted that overall delays at DFW have risen 33.67% since 2021. In addition to on‑airline performance, the airport’s location contributed to its ranking; DFW sits roughly 20 miles from downtown Dallas, adding significant ground‑travel time for passengers.
How DFW compares to other major hubs
Chicago O’Hare International Airport earned the second‑most stressful spot, with 24.68% of its flights delayed and a 42.77% increase in delays since 2021. The drive from downtown Chicago to O’Hare is estimated at about 50 minutes, further influencing its ranking.
Rounding out the top three was Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia. Reagan National recorded a 3.86% cancellation rate and saw delays increase 73.92% since 2021.
Airports with smoother experiences
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Salt Lake City International Airport in Utah was named the least stressful airport, followed by San Jose International Airport in California and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii. All three airports reported cancellation rates below 1% and shorter travel times from their respective downtown areas.
Recent incidents underscore the findings
The study’s timing coincides with a particularly rough day for DFW travelers on Oct. 1, when the airport logged 390 delays and 155 cancellations—the highest numbers of any U.S. airport that day, according to NJ.com.
Fox News Digital reached out to both DFW officials and Rightway Parking for comment. While the airport has not yet issued a formal response, the data highlights ongoing challenges for travelers navigating one of the nation’s busiest hubs.
What this means for travelers
Passengers planning trips through DFW may want to allow extra time for potential delays and consider alternative transportation options to and from the airport. Monitoring real‑time flight updates and arriving early can help mitigate the stress identified in the study.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
