For many travelers, it’s the getting there part that provides the greatest stress. Recent studies confirm what many of us know: Not all airports are created equally.

A new report from Booking.com rates Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport as the least stressful air transit hub. While that study looked closely at business travelers, many of the attributes hold true if you’re headed on vacation, too.

According to a study from Good Guys Injury Law geared toward leisure travel, Phoenix remained in the top three. It was also second in a 2025 MarketWatch ranking. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport topped the Good Guys list and was seventh-best in the Booking.com survey.

Based on those studies, here are a few of the best airports to fly in and out of, and why.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

The short drive (10-15 minutes) to downtown Phoenix (and Scottsdale) is cited as a major stress relief from Booking.com. MarketWatch points to a relatively low 20% rate for delayed departures and .6% rate for cancellations, which it attributes to the typically sunny weather.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is also a 2-hour ride to Sedona and about 3.5 hours to the Grand Canyon, making it a popular port for travelers.

Photo Credit: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

The TSA wait time is under 25 minutes in Minneapolis, which provides comfort to families on the run. MarketWatch also notes it has a minimal 17.4% rate for delayed flights. Of course, the region is ideal for vacationers seeking a lake trip, as well as shoppers ready to experience The Mall of America.

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

BWI has a major convenience factor, as it's a typically cheaper option to fly into Washington, D.C. and is less than a two-hour drive to Philadelphia. The Good Guys report says the Maryland airport had an on-time percentage of 79.4%, a lost luggage rate of just 118 bags per 100,000 monthly passengers, and an average TSA wait time of just over 15 minutes.

From BWI, you can make it an East Coast experience by visiting Baltimore’s inner harbor, historic Annapolis, D.C., and Philly.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport

Flying into the Motor City is a breeze. It's the fifth-least stressful airport, according to Booking.com and MarketWatch. Highly rated shopping, restaurants, and a spa are popular amenities.

Consider this your excuse to explore how Detroit has reinvented itself over the past decade.

Photo Credit: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport