A recent study by AirAdvisor has revealed that the air route between Barcelona El Prat and Amsterdam Schiphol is the most stressful in Europe, with a Nervous Flyer Score of 75.1%. This score evaluates factors like delays, cancellations, and weather conditions.
Traveling can be daunting for many, and AirAdvisor’s Nervous Flyer Score ranking examined 26 key European flight routes to assess which ones tend to create the most anxiety. In addition to delays and cancellations, other factors contributing to stress include weather vulnerability and flight duration. Notably, the ranking did not consider flight safety or turbulence.
According to Anton Radchenko, CEO of AirAdvisor, the ranking aims to help nervous passengers identify routes where chaos is more prevalent, allowing them to better prepare for their journeys. Following the route from Barcelona to Amsterdam, the second and third most stressful flights were from London Heathrow to Amsterdam (63.8% score) and Manchester to Dublin (63.4% score). Manchester to Dublin reported the highest rate of delays among the top 20 routes.
Top 10 most stressful European flight routes:
- Barcelona to Amsterdam – 75.1%
- London Heathrow to Amsterdam – 63.8%
- Manchester to Dublin – 63.4%
- Lisbon to Madeira – 61.4%
- Paris Charles de Gaulle to Nice – 60.8%
- Oslo to Stavanger – 46.8%
- Barcelona to Rome Fiumicino – 45.2%
- London Heathrow to Frankfurt – 44.2%
- Oslo to Trondheim – 42.4%
- Madrid to London Heathrow – 40.8%
Radchenko noted that anxiety often stems from various factors including long waits, unexpected cancellations, and adverse weather.
AirAdvisor also provided tips to mitigate flight stress both before and during travel:
- Opt for direct flights to avoid missed connections.
- Choose early flights to have time for alternatives in case of major delays.
- Keep updated on weather and flight notifications.
- Communicate anxiety to cabin crew, who can offer assistance.
- Engage in breathing exercises and remember that delays and cancellations are common occurrences.
By employing these strategies, travelers can better navigate their flying experiences.
