Anyone who’s been stuck on the tarmac at London Stansted may feel vindicated today. A new November 2025 report on the world’s most frustrating airports names Stansted the single worst major terminal for travelers — with an astonishing 75.5 percent of all flights running late.
The study, conducted by Sail Croatia, analyzed 50 of the world’s busiest international airports based on three factors: delay rates, passenger-density levels, and online searches related to lost luggage. Each airport received a score out of 100 — and higher scores meant a more miserable passenger experience.
The U.K. dominates the worst list — with one American airport at No. 2
While Stansted takes the No. 1 slot, it’s hardly Britain’s only problem airport. London Gatwick and Heathrow also land in the global top five, putting the U.K. at the center of the world’s most frustrating flying experiences. In each case, a combination of tight space and heavy traffic makes for jam-packed concourses and frequent delays.
Here’s how the top offenders break down:
1. London Stansted (UK)
Small footprint and huge volume mean crowded terminals and chronic lateness. Three out of four flights here (75.5 percent) aren’t on time — the worst performance globally.
2. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (USA)
America’s busiest airport isn’t the worst for delays (under 20 percent), but its extreme passenger density and high lost-luggage searches drag down its ranking.
3. Charles de Gaulle, Paris (France)
Despite its size, CDG still can’t keep up: More than six in ten flights (62.1 percent) leave late.
4. London Gatwick (UK)
A compact footprint and more than 43 million travelers a year equals wall-to-wall congestion; 30.7 percent of flights are delayed.
5. London Heathrow (UK)
Europe’s busiest terminal struggles under the weight of 84 million annual passengers, with 24.6 percent flight delays — plus over 5,000 lost-baggage searches each year.
Other notable entries include Newark, Seattle-Tacoma, Madrid, and Las Vegas, all dragged down by overcrowding and operational strain.