Worst (and Greatest) Airways for Flight Delays and Cancellations

If it appears like there are extra flight delays these days, you are proper. Percentages for on-time arrivals between February and June 2024 dropped for 9 out of 10 of the most important US airways, in line with the newest knowledge from the Division of Transportation. 

Launched Aug. 30, the brand new knowledge on airline and airport delays reveals that solely Hawaiian Airways (serving the smallest variety of airports of the large 10) averaged greater than 80% on-time arrivals in June. Although cancellations are nonetheless low traditionally — 1.3 % in June — flight delays are undoubtedly trending up because the Labor Day weekend hits.

The excellent news in 2024 is that in case your flight does get canceled, you are entitled to a full money refund. The Biden administration declared in April that airways now should “promptly” present computerized money refunds when flights are canceled. 

For extra recommendations on air journey, take a look at these three steps for saving cash on aircraft tickets, and study while you’ll must have a Actual ID to fly domestically within the US.

Which airways have the very best charges of delays and cancellations?

Airways’ monitor information for getting passengers to their locations on time range from month to month. In June 2024, Hawaiian Airways had the very best share of on-time arrivals — 83.6% — in line with the Division of Transportation’s August 2024 Air Journey Client Report.

The identical report famous that Southwest Airways had the bottom variety of canceled flights, at 0.3%, whereas Frontier Airways had the very best variety of cancellations, 3.5%.

Listed below are the chances of on-time arrivals for the most important US airways, in line with the DOT.

Percentages of on-time arrivals

Airline	On-time arrivals
Hawaiian Airways	83.6%
Delta	78.6%
Alaska Airways	76.8%
United Airways	75.8%
Southwest Airways	73.7%
Allegiant Air	73.4%
American Airways	71.6%
Spirit Airways	70.7%
JetBlue	69.7%
Frontier Airways	61.3%

As talked about, these percentages range from month to month. You may lookup historic studies on the DOT’s web site.

Avoiding flight delays is not only a matter of selecting one airline over one other. With some cautious planning, you possibly can keep away from the complications and get to your vacation spot on time, or as a minimum, give your self the most effective likelihood for doing so. Learn on to discover ways to keep away from flight delays in your subsequent journey by air, in addition to the most effective and worst airports for on-time arrivals.

1. Do not fly too early or too late

You may anticipate airports to be busier at sure instances of the day. Flights begin to again up round 3 p.m., and flights departing after that point have a 50% increased likelihood of being canceled.

Nevertheless, you additionally do not wish to fly too early if you happen to can keep away from it. Airports are usually busiest within the early morning, from 5 to eight a.m., so you may most likely spend extra time ready in TSA strains throughout these hours. If you wish to keep away from crowds and you’ve got a versatile schedule, attempt to e-book a noon flight, a bit of earlier than or after midday. 

2. Guide a nonstop flight or go away additional time for layovers

A layover will make an extended journey even longer. Layovers can last as long as 4 hours for home flights, and as much as 24 hours for worldwide flights. 

When you could avoid wasting money by reserving a flight that features an additional cease, you would possibly find yourself regretting it when your connecting flight will get delayed. By reserving a nonstop flight, you may spend much less time in airports and get to your vacation spot earlier. You would possibly find yourself paying lower than you anticipate if you happen to e-book your flight early.

3. Set up your airline’s app in your telephone

Most airways provide a cellular app that means that you can test in to your flight forward of time. Often this function is obtainable 24 hours earlier than the aircraft takes off, which implies it can save you time by finishing this step at dwelling. Plus, you’ll monitor the standing of your flight and reschedule in case the flight is delayed or canceled.

4. Test the climate early, at each airports

Dangerous climate is the reason for 75% of flight delays. The quantity can range relying on town and the time of yr, nevertheless it’s at all times a good suggestion to test the climate a number of days earlier than your flight. Be sure to test each town you are flying from and town you are flying to. 

As an example, perhaps a buddy is selecting you up at your vacation spot, and also you’re anticipating a storm while you arrive. You may plan accordingly, and save a few of your buddy’s time by telling them to come back to the airport later.

5. Do not test luggage

Not solely are checked luggage turning into costlier, however they’re one other potential supply of delays. You must spend a number of additional minutes getting your additional baggage checked in earlier than your flight, and also you would possibly spend loads longer ready for it to come back off the luggage carousel. 

You may keep away from these additional steps if you happen to handle to pack the whole lot into your carry-on bag and private merchandise. This manner, you may have one much less factor to fret about while you attain your vacation spot. Plus, it is at all times good to journey lighter.

6. Put together to spend additional time at these airports

The US has among the world’s largest airports, with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Worldwide topping the checklist. In 2023, an estimated 104.6 million folks handed by means of Hartsfield-Jackson. Dallas/Fort Price Worldwide had virtually 82 million passengers, and Los Angeles Worldwide had 75 million.

In the event you’re flying out of Newark Liberty Worldwide, LaGuardia Airport, or JFK Worldwide, your flight is extra more likely to be delayed due to climate. Knowledge from the Federal Aviation Administration reveals that airports within the New York Metropolis space collectively expertise twice as many delays in comparison with the second metropolis on the checklist (Chicago). Delays are worst in April, Might, and June. 

And if you happen to’re flying wherever in Florida, take care to organize for delays. Six of the highest 10 worst US airports for delays may be discovered within the Sunshine State.

Listed below are the US airports with the bottom and highest share of flight delays in 2023, in line with InsureMyTrip.

Airports with the bottom percentages of delayed flights

Airport	Metropolis	Flights delayed
MSP	Minneapolis-St. Paul	14.63%
SLC	Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah	15.14%
DTW	Detroit	16.19%
SEA	Seattle	16.39%
ATL	Atlanta	16.52%
BOI	Boise, Idaho	17.78%
IAD	Washington, DC	17.83%
SJC	San Jose, California	17.96%
DCA	Washington, DC	18.03%
PDX	Portland, Oregon	18.06%

Airports with the very best percentages of delayed flights

Airport	Metropolis	Flights delayed
SJU	San Juan, Puerto Rico	30.97%
FLL	Fort Lauderdale, Florida	27.33%
MCO	Orlando, Florida	26.58%
PBI	Palm Seashore, Florida	26.50%
LAS	Las Vegas	25.53%
TPA	Tampa, Florida	23.94%
JAX	Jacksonville, Florida	23.53%
MIA	Miami	23.46%
BOS	Boston	23.38%
BDL	Windsor Locks, Connecticut	23.35%

7. Know your rights on the subject of flight refunds

If it involves the worst and your flight is canceled, remember the fact that you may get a money refund. Based on the US Division of Transportation, you are entitled to a full refund in case your flight is canceled — “whatever the purpose” — or considerably delayed. The brand new coverage was introduced in April 2024 to assist shield customers from shock airline charges.

In some instances, you can even get a partial refund on the price of your ticket. In case your seat is downgraded or you do not get the companies you paid for prematurely, resembling in-flight Wi-Fi, try to be refunded the distinction.

In case your flight is cancelled and the airline refuses to provide you a refund, the DOT recommends you file an official grievance with the federal authorities. You will want to supply some fundamental private data like your mailing handle, plus flight particulars (together with your flight quantity in case you have it) and an outline of what occurred when your flight was canceled.

For extra journey ideas, study how you can use AI to plan your journey and 5 nice devices to maintain you linked while you’re on the go.