Manchester Airport in the UK has been ranked as the most stressful airport in the whole world according to a recent study. The study, conducted by the Australian company iSelect, examined 50 major airports around the globe, assessing them based on factors such as flight delays, cancellations, check-in processes, security wait times, ease of access, and baggage claim convenience.
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The study found that Manchester Airport scored the lowest, with a rating of just 18.46 out of a possible 100 on the stress index. The airport performed particularly poorly in terms of check-in experience and customs and immigration procedures, with only 77% and 66% of reviewers rating these processes favorably, respectively. It also received low scores for ease of access at 74% and security checks at 70%.
Over the past year, Manchester Airport has had an average departure delay of around 21.4 minutes, with a cancellation rate of 1.43%. Despite these findings, efforts are already underway to improve the airport for its 49 million annual passengers. The completion of a new $2.7 billion Terminal A in 2023 and the groundbreaking of a new $3.5 billion AirTrain Newark in October 2025 are steps towards enhancing the overall passenger experience.
According to the airport’s website, these developments aim to create a reimagined Manchester Airport that can accommodate more passengers and aircraft, reducing delays and congestion, and providing a world-class travel experience from curb to gate. The study also ranked other airports based on stress levels, with Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport in Portugal coming in second and Manchester Airport in the UK ranking third most stressful due to its poor baggage claim score.
Notably, two more U.S. airports, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, were listed as the fourth and fifth most stressful airports, respectively. In contrast, airports known for their efficiency and minimal stress levels include Singapore’s Changi Airport, Doha’s Hamad International Airport in Qatar, and South Korea’s Seoul Incheon International Airport, which rounded up the top three least stressful airports.
The findings of the study shed light on the importance of efficient airport operations in providing a positive travel experience for passengers worldwide. As the travel industry continues to evolve and grow, enhancing airport facilities and services will be crucial in ensuring smooth and stress-free journeys for travellers. Manchester Airport’s ranking as the most stressful airport serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts needed to improve the overall passenger experience in airports around the world.