Study: The Best Airports in the U.S. For Stress-Free Travel (And the Worst)

Whether you’re flying into Europe or Asia for a bucket getaway or visiting family and friends several states away, many of our trips involve trips to the airport. Unfortunately, none of the 20 best airports in the world are located in the United States (or even North America, for that matter, Seattle-Tacoma tops the list, at 27th). But there are a few things you can do to take the stress off your airport – even if you’re flying from JFK.

Yulia Saf, an avid traveler and founder of the Miss Travel blog, offers these four stress-free travel tips:

1. Arrive Early

Not all airports have great shopping or dining options, nor are they luxury lounges that you can use when you have free time. But it’s still a good idea to give yourself plenty of leeway before you fly, especially if you’re going through one of the airports with long wait times at security.

“Always aim to arrive at the airport at least two hours before the departure of domestic flights or at least three hours before the departure of international flights. This will give you plenty of time to endure unexpected security checkpoint wait times,” Sav said.

2. Book an Early Morning Flight

When it comes to travel, early birds get the least stressful airport experience. “If you’re traveling from an airport with a high rate of flight delays or cancellations, booking an early morning flight can be a stress-reducing strategy,” Sav said. “Delays tend to intensify over time, which makes early flights [a safer option to avoid travel disruption].”

3. Stay Calm and Make a Plan B

The phrase “stay calm” is often overlooked in stressful situations, but for airport travel, it’s wise advice. “It’s important to maintain a calm demeanor,” Sav said. “Stress often pushes you to make sudden decisions, so it’s crucial to stay calm, proactive, and always have a backup plan.”

4. Purchase Travel Insurance

Don’t skip travel insurance the next time you book your flight. With flight delays increasing this year, this is more important than ever.

“I highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance when you take off from an airport with high rates of delay and cancellation. It provides security against unpredictable flight dynamics and unexpected expenses,” Sav said. “As a frequent flyer, it not only saves me money, but also gives me peace of mind.”

SAF isn’t the only travel expert who recommends investing in travel insurance. Kyle Kroeger, founder of Via Travelers, added: “While travel insurance is often one of the expenses you are reluctant to pay because you won’t actually get anything in return until you need to file a claim, it’s crucial to carry insurance when traveling. ”