As the holiday travel season approaches, millions of Americans are gearing up for journeys across the country, hoping for smooth flights and minimal airport headaches. But new studies reveal that not all airports are created equal when it comes to keeping travelers calm—or frazzled—during the busiest months of the year.
According to a comprehensive study by Travel by Luxe, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) has landed at the bottom of the rankings, earning the dubious distinction of being the most stressful major U.S. airport for holiday travel. The study compared 30 of the nation’s busiest airports, evaluating factors such as security wait times, flight delays, cancellation rates, passenger traffic, and average airfare prices. DFW, it turns out, has more flight delays and cancellations than nearly all its competitors, making it a potential flashpoint for holiday frustration.
In December 2024 alone, nearly 3.6 million travelers passed through DFW’s sprawling terminals. But behind those impressive numbers lurked a less cheerful statistic: more than a quarter of all flights—about 26.06 percent—were delayed. The airport also suffered the second-highest cancellation rate among the airports studied, with 2.08 percent of flights scrapped during the same period. For travelers hoping to avoid disruption, these figures are enough to make anyone’s blood pressure rise.
And the costs don’t stop at missed connections or lost time. The average flight out of DFW in the final quarter of 2024 cost $417.38, making it the 12th most expensive among the 30 airports analyzed. While the report notes that airfare isn’t the biggest driver of airport stress, every dollar counts when holiday budgets are already stretched thin.
Yet, it’s not all doom and gloom for North Texas travelers. The study found that, despite its woes with delays and cancellations, DFW actually offers one of the nation’s shortest security wait times. In December 2023, the average time to clear TSA lines was just nine minutes, the sixth-shortest nationwide. It’s a small comfort, perhaps, but one that can make a difference when every minute counts before a flight.
Looking ahead to the 2025 holiday season, the challenges at DFW are only expected to intensify. The report’s author predicts that nearly eight million travelers will fly through DFW during the final two months of the year, cementing its status as the second-busiest airport in the country for holiday travel. As the report puts it, “Holiday travel is supposed to be joyful. Think of all the twinkling lights, family reunions and much-needed downtime. But anyone who has battled chaotic airport lines, last-minute cancellations or a departure board full of red delay warnings knows how quickly that festive spirit can evaporate.”
Elsewhere in Texas, the situation is a mixed bag. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport fared much better, ranking as the ninth most stress-free airport in the U.S. for holiday travel. Meanwhile, Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport landed near the bottom, at 27th out of 30—a reminder that even within the same state, air travel experiences can vary dramatically.
So where should travelers look for a smoother journey? According to Travel by Luxe, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Arizona is the top pick for stress-free holiday travel in 2025. The airport claimed the No. 1 spot thanks to its efficient operations and relatively low rates of delays and cancellations. Rounding out the top five were Salt Lake City International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, Tampa International Airport, and Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. The full top ten list includes Chicago Midway, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Philadelphia, Austin-Bergstrom, and New York’s LaGuardia Airport.
If you’re dreaming of a winter getaway that won’t leave you stranded at the gate, heading west to Hawaiʻi might be your best bet. According to a separate study by Squaremouth, Hawaiʻi’s airports lead the nation for on-time performance, boasting the fewest delays and cancellations from July 2024 to June 2025. Statewide, only 12 percent of flights were delayed and a mere 0.7 percent were canceled during that period—numbers that put the rest of the country to shame.
The secret to Hawaiʻi’s stellar record? Ed Sniffen, director of the Hawaiʻi State Department of Transportation, credits “strong collaboration with our federal aviation partners, the airlines and numerous other stakeholders, as well as our outstanding airport team throughout the state.” He adds, “Our kuleana to ensure Hawaiʻi’s airports operate efficiently and safely is also reflected in our ongoing commitment to upgrade airport infrastructure, modernize facilities and improve operational systems.”
Hawaiian Airlines, the state’s largest carrier, echoed that sentiment, noting, “We are committed to offering our residents not only the most robust and convenient flight schedule, but also safe and reliable service; and we are glad to help make Hawaiʻi at the top airport for punctuality.”
The Squaremouth study, which looked at 126,875 scheduled flights across all commercial airports in Hawaiʻi, found that just 12.7 percent of flights were delayed or canceled—by far the lowest rate in the U.S. The next best performer, Utah, saw 15.6 percent of its flights face trouble. Even with high tourism demand, Hawaiʻi’s reliability held steady, offering travelers a rare pocket of predictability in an often chaotic industry.
Of course, even paradise isn’t immune to disruption. When delays do occur in Hawaiʻi, they can be costly: the average flight delay claim for travelers was $478, covering expenses like lodging, meals, and rebooked transportation. And during the summer peak—historically the most disruptive season for air travel nationwide—Hawaiʻi still outperformed other states, though it wasn’t entirely spared from the seasonal crunch. From June through August 2025, 27.8 percent of U.S. flights were delayed or canceled, with July being the worst month at 30.2 percent. Hawaiʻi’s numbers remained the lowest, but the pressure was felt nonetheless.
It’s important to note that the Squaremouth study ranked states rather than individual airports, so the performance reflects collective efforts across Hawaiʻi’s entire airport system. Still, for travelers seeking reliability, these results are hard to ignore.
As millions prepare to crisscross the country in search of holiday cheer, these studies offer a clear takeaway: where you start your journey can make all the difference. From the bustling, delay-prone terminals of DFW to the punctual runways of Hawaiʻi, the choice of airport could spell the difference between a merry holiday and a travel nightmare. For those willing to plan ahead—or perhaps reroute entirely—a little research might be the best gift of all this season.
