Chicago O'Hare Named Worst Airport in America, Newark and Fort Lauderdale Also Rank Poorly

Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) has been identified as the worst airport in the United States, according to a new analysis by independent aviation news site AeroCorner. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) followed closely in second place, with Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) ranking third.

The analysis utilized on-time departure data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) for the first half of 2026, alongside results from JD Power's 2026 North America Airport Satisfaction Study.

O'Hare's poor performance is attributed in part to its ongoing $8.8 billion ORDNext overhaul, a project expected to continue until at least 2034. Construction on taxiways, roads, and terminals has limited the airport's capacity, resulting in just over 71 percent of flights departing on time in early 2026, the seventh-worst rate among 30 major airports studied by the BTS. O'Hare tied with Newark for the lowest satisfaction score in the JD Power study, receiving 585 out of 1,000 points.

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) achieved a slightly better on-time departure rate of just over 79 percent in the first half of 2026, a notable improvement from the previous year. However, the airport's overall satisfaction score was significantly impacted by the longest Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security waits among major airports, averaging 23 minutes. Newark is also operating under a federal order, extended through October 2027, that limits flight operations to 36 arrivals and departures per hour. This restriction stems from a shortage of air traffic controllers in the Philadelphia TRACON sector, which handles Newark's traffic, with staffing at just under 61 percent of its requirement.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) landed in third place due to the worst on-time departure record among the analyzed major airports. In early 2026, only 66.4 percent of flights departed within 15 minutes of their scheduled time, a decline from 75.8 percent in the same period of 2025. This decrease was partly due to the cessation of operations by Spirit Airlines on May 2, which had used FLL as a major hub. FLL is currently undergoing an $829 million terminal expansion, and JetBlue is increasing its presence at the airport.

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) ranked fourth. While its on-time departure rate of 77 percent placed it ninth-best among major airports, its passenger satisfaction scores have been consistently low, ranking last in JD Power's large-airport category for six consecutive years. Issues appear to stem from the passenger experience within the terminals rather than flight delays. The airport is undertaking a $2 billion improvement project.

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) secured the fifth spot, with the second-worst on-time departure rate at 68.22 percent. As the largest airport on the list and a primary hub for American Airlines, DFW's delays can have a widespread impact on travelers due to its interconnected flight schedules.

Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) ranked sixth and seventh, respectively. Both airports face limitations on their runways and airspace. Midway had the third-worst on-time departure rate (69.30 percent), while DCA was fourth-worst (69.87 percent). Restrictions at DCA were tightened following a midair collision in January 2025, leading to revised flight corridors.

Nashville International Airport (BNA) was eighth, struggling with rapid air traffic growth and an on-time departure rate of 69.97 percent, the fifth-worst. Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) ranked ninth, citing long security waits and a poor on-time record.

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) came in at tenth as it undergoes a $2 billion redevelopment. Orlando International Airport (MCO) was eleventh, with 71.79 percent of flights departing on time, a rate affected by summer thunderstorms and high leisure traffic. LaGuardia Airport (LGA) placed twelfth, with its airfield congestion and short, intersecting runways impacting its on-time performance.

Miami International Airport (MIA) was thirteenth, facing long TSA waits and congestion due to international traffic and a sprawling terminal layout. Denver International Airport (DEN) ranked fourteenth, with its ongoing Great Hall renovation expected to conclude in December 2027.

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu (HNL) rounded out the top 15 at number fifteen. While not included in the BTS on-time data, its satisfaction score was affected by long walking distances and terminals handling both inter-island and long-haul traffic.