10 Worst Airports for Holiday Travel

Bankrate.Com ^ | 8 December 2014 | Chris Kahn

[Vigilanteman]

'Tis the season to see the family, which means you're probably about to spend some quality time -- maybe too much time -- in an airport.

The following are the worst airports for holiday flight problems on arrivals, according to a Bankrate analysis.

Bankrate determined the frequency of holiday flight problems -- delays, cancellations and diversions -- at the United States' 100 most active airports, using Bureau of Transportation Statistics data for the months of November to January over the past 10 years. The rankings for busiest airports are based on total arrivals over the same time period.

[bus man]

Southwest has the rudest staff I’ve ever encountered. "Cattle-car" airlines? Who knew? LOL ... Have never, will never fly them if for no other reason than watching their stupid TV show which exposes the "quality" of their passengers as much as it does the staff.

With all due respect, and I certainly recognize your right to avoid whatever airline you want for whatever reasons you want, but it seems a bit shallow to avoid Southwest simply because of a show that -- like all reality shows do -- deliberately focused on the most outrageous behavior they could find.

I have flown them many times. Never once have I encountered a staff person who was anything less than polite. Most of them have been quite friendly. And I've never had any problems with my fellow passengers either.

[oh8eleven]

it seems a bit shallow to avoid Southwest simply because of a show that -- like all reality shows do -- deliberately focused on the most outrageous behavior they could find.
Fair enough, but it has to be there to be focused on.

[setha]

Still would take Dallas over Atlanta just for the layout. For the most part, you’re not far from a tram or another concourse.

[hattend]

Yeah, but Midway is one scary ass airport to drive to/from.

You are in gang central driving up to the terminal.

[hattend]

Anchorage? Really?

One of the easiest airports to get in and out of that I have experienced. Even during the holidays.

[fatnotlazy]

Most of my trips to Midway were just to connect to other flights, so for the most part I didn't leave the airport. Any other time when I was actually staying in Chicago, I took a cab. Didn't actually pay attention to the neighborhood during the drive.

O’Hare, like JFK, is just too big and daunting. Midway is much easier for me to navigate.

[fatnotlazy]

I agree re Southwest. The staff has always been professional and courteous to me.

Once during bad weather, flights were backed up. When I arrived at the gate, people were still waiting for a previous flight and tempers were flaring. One of the Southwest employees came out strumming a ukulele and getting passengers to sing. It was comic, but it worked. Irate passengers calmed down.