New research has revealed the most stressful UK airports for business travellers, and Birmingham ranks top, with one-third (33%) of flights disrupted last year.
The findings come amid a record rise in passenger numbers, with one million more passengers flying through UK airports in Q1 2026 compared with the same period last year, according to UK Civil Aviation Authority data.
This potentially puts more pressure on airports and local transport systems, and increases the likelihood of delays, congestion, and disruption for business travellers working to tight schedules.
The corporate travel experts at Booking.com for Business have analysed key factors, including flight disruptions, customs wait times, and average transfer time to the closest business hub, to reveal the airports where business travellers could face additional stressors.
The most stressful UK airports for business travellers
| Rank | Airport | City | % of disrupted flights in 2025 | Security wait time (mins, 2025) | City congestion level (2025) | Driving distance to city centre (mins)* | Stress score /10 |
| 1 | Birmingham | Birmingham | 33.0% | 11.0 | 47.4% | 24 | 6.67 |
| 2 | Manchester | Manchester | 36.5% | 9.4 | 48.1% | 37 | 6.11 |
| 3 | London Stansted | London | 30.6% | 8.6 | 51.6% | 80 | 5.00 |
| 4 | Heathrow | London | 24.6% | 6.8 | 51.6% | 65 | 4.44 |
| 5 | Gatwick | London | 31.0% | 6.5 | 51.6% | 90 | 2.78 |
| 5 | Luton | London | 27.0% | 5.7 | 51.6% | 85 | 2.78 |
| 7 | London City | London | 25.1% | 4.5 | 51.6% | 53 | 1.67 |
Birmingham Airport:
- Around a third of flights (33%) at this airport are delayed or cancelled, which is over 3% above the average of 29.7%.
- Security wait times are the highest in the study at 11 minutes, too, compared with the cross-airport average of 7.5 minutes.
- The average journey into the city centre takes just 24 minutes – the fastest time in the report.
Manchester Airport:
- The highest rate of delayed or cancelled flights in the study was 36.5%. Flight disruption can be especially stress-inducing for business travellers, who are often rushing to make a connecting flight or are on a tight schedule
- Relatively high city congestion level of 48.1%, which adds around 17 minutes 48 seconds onto the average transfer time of 37 minutes
- A typical security wait time of 9 minutes 24 seconds, which sits above the average (7 minutes 30 seconds)
London Stansted Airport:
- London Stansted Airport’s onward transfer into central London is one of the greatest causes of stress for business travellers arriving at this airport. The drive to central London can take up to 100 minutes, averaging 80, which is well above the ranking’s average city centre transfer time of 62 minutes.
- Stansted is also affected by London’s high congestion level, which increases the average journey time by an additional 51.6% – the highest in the report.
For business travellers, that combination can make the final leg of the journey more stressful, especially when meetings or events are scheduled soon after arrival.
“Business travel often comes with tight schedules, so even relatively small disruptions can create added pressure for travellers trying to stay on time and focused on work. Although businesses can’t do much to impact things like traffic congestion, security wait times and flight disruptions, it’s important these are taken into account when booking and organising trips.
“Some of the most effective ways to reduce travel-related stress on work trips are allowing plenty of buffer time before and after meetings, choosing conveniently-located hotels, and pre-booking flexible transfers for a seamless commute into the city centre.
“Using a platform like Booking.com for Business to keep plans organised in one place, removes any uncertainty, and helps to ensure a smoother and less stressful overall travel experience.”
Joshua Wood, Director of Business Travel at Booking.com for Business
