A 22-year-old college student and travel enthusiast who has visited over 60 countries and passed through 90 airports has named Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) as the worst airport in the world, despite the hub being crowned Best Airport in Europe in the 2026 Skytrax World Airport Awards.
Theo, who posts as theoandtheglobe on TikTok and has amassed over 47,800 followers, shared his list of the five worst airports he has ever flown through. Topping the list was CDG, a major European hub frequently used by Britons traveling to Paris or connecting to other destinations.
Charles de Gaulle: Chaotic and Inconvenient
Theo described CDG as a “super chaotic airport, really inconvenient to fly through, and not fun.” His criticism comes despite the airport's recent Skytrax recognition. Online reviews are mixed: one passenger complained of manual immigration and customs procedures with few counters leading to long wait times, while another praised the airport's size, architecture, amenities, and shops.
Kuala Lumpur: Security Woes
Theo's second-worst airport was Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. He criticized its distance from the city, terrible location, and security procedures. He said security is conducted at the start of a set of 10 gates with only one staff member, causing delays. He recounted a near-miss when a passenger ahead brought a full water bottle, taking 10 minutes to process.
Hong Kong: Overreliance on Technology
Third on the list was Hong Kong airport. Theo stated it is too reliant on modern technology, with minimal staff. Passengers with passport or boarding pass issues face long waits to see a human. He described it as “a giant modern building that happens to be an airport, and there’s no one working there.”
Delhi: Soldiers and Strict Security
Fourth was Delhi airport. Theo acknowledged the building is nice but cited two issues: document checks outside the airport by soldiers holding AK-47s, and security requiring removal of every wire, phone charger, portable charger, and AirPods, making the process excessively long.
Bogota: Unprepared for Traffic
Rounding out the list was Bogota airport. Theo said it is not prepared for the volume of passengers, especially with Avianca using it as a hub for transit between North and South America. He called it “a pretty bad building” not designed for its current traffic.
