Top Worst Airport In The World: Who Will Be Called?

Air travel has become a popular way for people to get around the world, and millions of passengers pass through airports every day. And while passengers can have extremely amazing flying experience in some airports, others are notorious for long queues, poor facilities, and an overall unpleasant experience.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the top worst airport in the world. These airports are known for their outdated facilities, inadequate seating, poor customer service, and frequent flight cancellations, making them a nightmare for travellers. Continue reading!

• Worst Airports In The World:

1. Kuwait International Airport (KWI/OKKK) - Kuwait
2. Paris Beauvais-Tille Airport (BVA/LFOB - France)
3. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR/KEWR - America)
4. London Gatwick Airport (LGW/EGKK - England)
5. Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ/CYYZ - Canada)
6. Manchester International Airport (MAN/EGCC - England)
7. Bordeaux Mérignac Airport (BOD/LFBD - France)

• Lowest-Rated Airport In The US: Newark Liberty International Airport
• Worst Airport In The UK: London Gatwick Airport
• Least Reliable Airport In Europe: Bordeaux Mérignac Airport
• Worst Airport In Asia: Kuwait International Airport
• Worst Airports For Delays In The World: Toronto Pearson International Airport
• Worst Airport For Lost Luggage: John F. Kennedy International Airpor

How We Determine the Worst Airports Globally

When we look for airport reviews, we think that each complaint from a customer helps us understand how good the airport is. Some websites and platforms have done a good job in this regard, like airlinequality.com by Skytrax and Flightradar24.com.

Here's how it works: Travellers can share their thoughts and rate the airport after they've taken a flight. They consider different things like:

• How helpful the airport staff is.
• How well the baggage claim process goes.
• The quality of food and shops at the airport.
• How easy it is to get to the airport.
• How clean and well-maintained the terminals and facilities are.
• How long they have to wait in lines.
• Whether there's good Wi-Fi available.

After rating each of these aspects, travellers also give an "overall rating" for the airport. Using this overall rating, we can figure out which airport is considered the worst in the world.

1. Kuwait International Airport (KWI/OKKK) - Kuwait

Long queues and congested facilities are often seen at Kuwait International Airport. Photo by trongnguyen on stock.adobe.com

Kuwait International Airport, located in Farwaniya, is one of the busiest airports in the Gulf region. Despite its importance, it has faced several issues that have contributed to its reputation as the top worst airport in the world.

Travellers have reported numerous issues that make their experience unbearable. The limited number of toilets leads to long queues, and the internet connectivity is unreliable, causing frustration for passengers.

The airport's congestion is a major problem, both inside and outside the terminal. Departure becomes a nightmare due to the lack of clear information about check-in zones and boarding gates. Misleading information and disorganised lines add to the chaos, causing anxiety and delays for travellers.

Even business class passengers aren't spared from the ordeal. The fast track lane for security checks is poorly managed, with rude staff who don't communicate properly and sometimes even discriminate based on nationality.

2. Paris Beauvais-Tille Airport (BVA/LFOB - France)

Paris Beauvais Tille Airport is smaller than most airports in Paris. Rastrojo (D•ES), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Paris Beauvais-Tille Airport, situated in Tillé, France, is notorious for its distant location from the city centre of Paris. Travellers expecting quick access to the iconic landmarks of the French capital are often disappointed.

The airport's small size, with only two terminals, spread across 230 hectares, makes it ill-equipped to handle multiple flights. On an average day, it handles around 50 flights, causing chaos and stress for hundreds of passengers.

The airport's location, over 1.5 hours away from the centre of Paris, adds to the inconvenience. Inside the airport, food and drink options are limited, prompting travellers to bring their own provisions.

Queuing for border control and security was a frustrating ordeal. The lack of sufficient staff adds to the chaos, with only one person designated for fast track and another for all other passengers to check passports.

This results in long queues, causing people to make their flights barely, and, in some cases, miss them entirely. The border control and security processes are the most frustrating, with rude and unhelpful staff adding to the woes.

3. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR/KEWR - America)

Newark Airport is getting less pleasant for travellers. qwesy qwesy, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Newark Airport, located in New York City, is a bit of a hassle for travellers. One big issue is that it often gets crowded with planes coming and going, especially when many people are travelling. This can cause flight delays, usually more than 15 minutes, according to the FAA. 

Another thing that some folks would like to change about this place is how the terminals are set up. There are three different terminals, but they're not connected to each other. So, you can't just walk if you need to change terminals for a connecting flight. Instead, you must hop on the Air Train or a shuttle taxi, which is more of a hassle than necessary. 

If you're travelling with kids, you might be disappointed by the play areas at Newark Airport. Travellers report these areas aren't clean, and some broken stuff is too dangerous for kids to stay here. Lastly, some parts of the airport, like the floors and walls, might look a bit run-down. 

4. London Gatwick Airport (LGW/EGKK - England)

London Gatwick Airport has faced multiple challenges. Mike McBey, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

London Gatwick Airport has been marred by disruptions, earning the unfortunate title of the worst airport in Europe for its chaotic operations. 

This grim reputation has been further exacerbated by the cancellation of hundreds of summer flights, leading to significant stress and inconvenience for travellers.

Notably, EasyJet, one of Gatwick's major carriers, has been forced to cancel approximately 1,700 flights until September 2023. This decision will adversely affect more than 100,000 holidaymakers, primarily those relying on Gatwick as their departure or arrival point.

Moreover, Gatwick's own operational efficiency has been severely impacted. More than half of the airport's flights have either been cancelled or delayed by over 15 minutes, causing significant frustration among passengers.

The airport is also well-known for its lengthy security queues, experiencing an issue with eGates in the North Terminal at the end of May. This, combined with large numbers of people returning from holiday and two big flights, resulted in long queues. 

Unfortunately, there were not enough open tables, leaving vulnerable passengers waiting to get through, while others queued for up to 40 minutes.

Adding to the frustrations are illogical policies, such as requiring English coins for baggage trolleys, inconveniencing foreign tourists. Additionally, exorbitant ATM fees of 23% further add to the misery

5. Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ/CYYZ - Canada)

Toronto Pearson International Airport had 6.5% of its flights cancelled, ranking fourth globally. Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Toronto Pearson International Airport is a popular choice for travellers, with over 50 million people travelling through it in 2019 alone. It is one of, if not, the busiest airports in Canada.

However, it has gained a negative reputation as the worst airport worldwide due to unpleasant experiences reported by passengers. J.D. Power’s annual North American Airport Satisfaction study ranked it as the second worst airport across North America.

One major issue is the lack of clear signage on the security lines. Passengers from different countries are often bewildered by the varying rules and procedures, and there are no large, multilingual signs to guide them. Particularly for those with hearing problems or limited English or French skills, this lack of clarity can cause unnecessary delays and irritation.

Baggage handling at Toronto Pearson has also been a consistent source of aggravation. The limited amenities, such as seating and restroom facilities, have added to the discomfort. 

6. Manchester International Airport (MAN/EGCC - England)

Why does Manchester Airport experience chaos? Manchester International Airport, Arrivals Way by David Dixon, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Manchester Airport's shortcomings and mismanagement have led to its reputation as one of the worst airports globally. Let us explain below. 

When arriving here by public transport, be prepared for a tiring and lengthy walk. Unfortunately, the moving walkways are often turned off to save costs, making the journey to the assistance point even more exhausting, even if you have booked assistance in advance.

Adding to the frustration, there is no free transport bus that connects the Interchange with all terminals, causing unnecessary delays for passengers. Some travellers have shared their experiences of landing early but waiting on the tarmac for an unreasonable amount of time, resulting in late arrivals.

Baggage handling at the airport also leaves much to be desired, with passengers sometimes waiting over 90 minutes for their bags to be offloaded from the plane. The lack of helpful airport officials only worsens the situation, with the few available often being unhelpful and unable to provide adequate explanations.

There is also a severe shortage of seating, making it difficult for travellers to find a comfortable spot to rest. Charging mobile devices can also be an arduous task, as accessible outlets seem to be scarce.

Additionally, the shops at the airport are known to be overpriced, providing an unsatisfactory retail experience. Even the duty-free shops, usually expected to offer more affordable options, fall short for domestic passengers.

7. Bordeaux Mérignac Airport (BOD/LFBD - France)

The airport's reputation and the memory of traumatised travellers linger. Ardfern, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bordeaux Mérignac Airport has earned its reputation as one of the world's worst airports, and the reasons are quite evident. From the moment you step inside, it's like entering a tiny, shed-like structure that lacks adequate air conditioning, turning the place into a boiling-hot nightmare.

The lack of seating is equally frustrating, leaving passengers forced to sit on the floor for hours. While the scarce staff are nowhere to be found to provide updates or assistance during delays.

The passport and boarding pass checks are a mess, causing long, chaotic queues, with no clear signs to guide travellers, making the experience feel like a third-world affair.

Security control is a major issue too, with aggressive and rude personnel handling trays and checks, causing distress to passengers, especially children. It's a far cry from the professional service one would expect from an international gateway like Bordeaux.

While the airport boasts decent shopping, food choices, and car rental facilities, these minor conveniences hardly make up for the overall dreadful experience.

Insights & Tips For Navigating At An Airport

Whatever airports you go to, you should be aware of some following to ensure a smoother journey. Here are some practical tips to navigate these airports:

• Plan Ahead: To manage your expectations, research the airport layout, facilities, and services before your trip. You can do this by visiting the airport's official website. 
• Arrive Early: Arrive at least an hour before the flight to handle unforeseen delays and give you ample time to complete necessary procedures.
• Carry Essentials: Pack essential items like snacks, water, chargers, and entertainment to keep yourself comfortable during long waiting times. It also helps you avoid inefficient or costly food in some airports. 
• Utilise Lounge Access: Consider investing in airport lounge access to escape the crowds and enjoy more amenities. Opting for a Priority Pass member is a good idea that you can consider. 
• Language Assistance: Learn some basic phrases or carry a language translation app like iTranslate or Apple Translate to overcome language barriers.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, the top worst airport in the world leaves travellers with a harrowing experience and numerous grievances. From the lack of cleanliness and subpar facilities to the chaotic management and unhelpful staff, these airports fail to meet the basic standards that travellers expect.

Frequent flight delays, long queues at security checkpoints, and limited amenities only exacerbate the frustration and discomfort for passengers. Isn't it helpful? Please let us know by leaving a comment below. Don't forget to share this article with your fellow travellers too!

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