Understanding the "Airport Misery Index"

I don't know anyone who thinks air travel is getting easier. Okay, I do know one person, but he only flies by private charter and he's a bit of a high-maintenance number (if you know what I mean).

Flying Stress FreeFor the rest of us, flying is a direct route to a headache - flight delays, lost luggage, shrinking leg room, the merry-go-round of security measures, blah, blah, blah.

If you're traveling and have some flexibility on which route take and carrier you buy from, knowing which airports have the highest PIA (Pain In the Ass) factor can help you map out a lower-stress route.

Throughout the US in 2007, less than 75% of flights arrived on time and more than 80% were completely full.

But 3 airports excel at a headache-inducing combination of delayed flights and crowded planes.

According to the "Airport Misery Index" by US News, Chicago's O'Hare, Newark and San Francisco rank as the most stressful airports in the United States.

At the worst airport in the US - Chicago O'Hare - only 66% of the flights left on time, and 83% were jammed full. Ugh!

Dallas/Ft. Worth International, Miami International, Las Vegas, Charlotte, NC, New York's Kennedy, Atlanta's Hartfield's Jackson and Seattle Tacoma International bring up the rear of the top ten list.

The best airport? At San Jose, Ca, (on average) flights departed on schedule 83% of the time and were 77% full.

Which US airport gives you the biggest headache? Which one could you spend a whole day in and not be stressed?