U.S. Airport Statistics & Flight Cancellation Data

Last updated on 10/30/2023

In an effort to empower passengers to make informed decisions when booking flights, InsureMyTrip has done some research on the performance records of U.S. airports and domestic flights. This resource page provides airline delay and cancellation data for airports in the United States. This information can be used by researchers to make predictions regarding how air travel will likely be impacted during certain times of the year. It can also be helpful for passengers when researching types of travel insurance plans.



10/30/2023

U.S. Airport Delays & Cancellations - 2023

InsureMyTrip analyzed the latest flight delay and cancellation data gathered by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) to get a deeper understanding of the impact of weather, system outages, flight disruptions, and other factors, on U.S. airports in 2023.

Summary:

  • San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) had the highest delay percentage (33.8%), and Newark Liberty International had the highest cancellation rate (3.78%) for first half of 2023.
  • Florida shows up four (4) times on the list of airports with the highest percentage of delays (MCO, PBI, FLL, JAX).
  • The majority of airports with the highest cancellation rates are on the East Coast (EWR, LGA, JFK, BUF, ORF, BOS); while the airports with the lowest cancellation rates can be found out west (KOA, TUS, OGG, PHX, SJC, OAK, SEA, SMF).
  • Norfolk International’s cancellation rate is trending in the wrong direction. For Q1 of 2023, Norfolk had one of the lowest cancellation rates (0.90%), but through Q2 – it’s now on the list of airports with the highest cancellation rate (2.51%).

U.S. Airports with Highest Percentage of Flight Delays in 2023

  1. SJU - 33.9% San Juan Airport - Luis Muñoz Marín International
  2. MCO - 30.0% Orlando International
  3. LAS - 29.7% Las Vegas Airport Harry Reid International
  4. PBI - 29.6% Palm Beach International
  5. FLL - 29.5% Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International
  6. TPA - 26.9% Tampa International
  7. HNL - 26.8% Daniel K. Inouye International Airport Honolulu
  8. JAX - 26.3% Jacksonville International
  9. SFO - 25.6% San Francisco International
  10. ONT - 25.6% Ontario International

U.S. Airports with Lowest Percentage of Flight Delays in 2023

  1. MSP - 16.5% Minneapolis–Saint Paul International
  2. SEA - 17.6% Seattle–Tacoma International
  3. SLC - 17.9% Salt Lake City International
  4. DTW - 18.3% Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
  5. ATL - 19.1% Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International
  6. DCA - 19.2% Ronald Reagan Washington National
  7. BOI - 19.6% Boise Aiport
  8. SJC - 19.7% San Jose Mineta International
  9. PDX - 20.2% Portland International
  10. IAD - 20.4% Dulles International

U.S. Airports with Highest Percentage of Flight Cancellations in 2023

Rank
Airport
City
1
EWR
Newark
82606
3121
3.78%
2
LGA
New York
96727
3212
3.32%
3
JFK
New York
79317
2312
2.91%
4
BUF
Buffalo
11764
297
2.52%
5
ORF
Norfolk
11886
298
2.51%
6
FLL
Fort Lauderdale
52812
1304
2.47%
7
DAL
Dallas
42476
1011
2.38%
8
BOS
Boston
82233
1896
2.31%
9
DFW
Dallas/Fort Worth
160779
3675
2.29%
10
MKE
Milwaukee
14432
327
2.27%
11
DEN
Denver
163405
3574
2.19%
12
MEM
Memphis
13181
278
2.11%
13
GRR
Grand Rapids
9428
182
1.93%
14
ORD
Chicago
149318
2833
1.90%
15
MSP
Minneapolis
70172
1324
1.89%
16
RIC
Richmond
10874
205
1.89%
17
IND
Indianapolis
25771
480
1.86%
18
CLE
Cleveland
23366
431
1.84%
19
MDW
Chicago
48859
896
1.83%
20
CMH
Columbus
23787
436
1.83%
21
MCO
Orlando
95364
1736
1.82%
22
DCA
Washington
82109
1492
1.82%
23
RDU
Raleigh/Durham
33361
604
1.81%
24
AUS
Austin
53116
944
1.78%
25
CVG
Cincinnati
22769
404
1.77%
26
PIT
Pittsburgh
24354
432
1.77%
27
BUR
Burbank
16969
287
1.69%
28
ANC
Anchorage
10553
178
1.69%
29
SDF
Louisville
13425
226
1.68%
30
PBI
West Palm Beach/Palm Beach
16481
276
1.67%
31
IAH
Houston
64811
1069
1.65%
32
CHS
Charleston
14189
233
1.64%
33
PHL
Philadelphia
50508
814
1.61%
34
DTW
Detroit
72510
1145
1.58%
35
BDL
Hartford
12920
201
1.56%
36
RSW
Fort Myers
20020
310
1.55%
37
SFO
San Francisco
77932
1183
1.52%
38
JAX
Jacksonville
16484
246
1.49%
39
SAV
Savannah
10257
152
1.48%
40
BNA
Nashville
54904
808
1.47%
41
LAS
Las Vegas
109205
1605
1.47%
42
IAD
Washington
28458
418
1.47%
43
PDX
Portland
33723
462
1.37%
44
OMA
Omaha
12812
175
1.37%
45
MCI
Kansas City
27475
373
1.36%
46
RNO
Reno
11210
151
1.35%
47
MSY
New Orleans
29278
393
1.34%
48
MIA
Miami
59572
796
1.34%
49
BWI
Baltimore
54252
724
1.33%
50
TPA
Tampa
46194
609
1.32%
51
SAT
San Antonio
21967
280
1.27%
52
SNA
Santa Ana
26072
332
1.27%
53
OKC
Oklahoma City
12129
151
1.24%
54
ONT
Ontario
13656
169
1.24%
55
SJU
San Juan
19420
234
1.20%
56
STL
St. Louis
34821
419
1.20%
57
LAX
Los Angeles
112003
1320
1.18%
58
ABQ
Albuquerque
12811
147
1.15%
59
ELP
El Paso
9688
111
1.15%
60
CLT
Charlotte
111316
1265
1.14%
61
HNL
Honolulu
35646
405
1.14%
62
SLC
Salt Lake City
62954
685
1.09%
63
ATL
Atlanta
193901
2077
1.07%
64
SAN
San Diego
51747
532
1.03%
65
HOU
Houston
30850
315
1.02%
66
SRQ
Sarasota/Bradenton
9605
98
1.02%
67
SMF
Sacramento
30296
307
1.01%
68
SEA
Seattle
92620
899
0.97%
69
OAK
Oakland
26496
252
0.95%
70
SJC
San Jose
30272
274
0.91%
71
PHX
Phoenix
100786
904
0.90%
72
OGG
Kahului
18446
163
0.88%
73
BOI
Boise
12162
93
0.76%
74
TUS
Tucson
9604
73
0.76%
75
KOA
Kona
10078
68
0.67%

These flight delay and cancellation rankings are generated from the top 75 busiest U.S. airports based on arriving flights. These updated lists use the latest available data, which includes January through July of 2023.


03/31/2023

U.S. Airports Ranked By Flight Cancellation Rates - 2022

InsureMyTrip analyzed the latest flight cancellation data gathered by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) to gain a closer look at the impact of ongoing flight disruptions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other factors, on U.S. airports.

Summary:

  • Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) has the highest cancellation rate in the country for 2022: 5.55% - up from 1.43% in 2021. That’s an increase of 286.77%.
  • LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York City saw the largest increase in canceled flights – from 1471 in 2021 to 8795 in 2022 - a 497.89% jump.
  • Only eight (8) airports (MSY, RNO, DFW, IAH, HOU, KOA, SAT, MEM) had a lower percentage of cancellations in 2022 than in 2021.
  • Hawaii airports maintain a consistent reputation for low cancellations. Three of that state’s airports (KOA, OGG, HNL) report the lowest percentage of canceled flights in 2022.

This ranking shows the busiest U.S. airports with the most and least percentage of flights canceled. This updated list is based on newly released data, which includes January through December of 2022. The above findings compare 2022 with the same time period in 2021.

Rank (Worst)

Airport

City

% of Canceled Flights

1

BUF

Buffalo

5.55%

2

RSW

Fort Myers

5.47%

3

LGA

New York

5.19%

4

EWR

Newark

4.82%

5

DCA

Washington

3.93%

6

DAL

Dallas

3.82%

7

PBI

West Palm Beach/Palm Beach

3.79%

8

BWI

Baltimore

3.74%

9

MDW

Chicago

3.73%

10

MCO

Orlando

3.70%

11

JFK

New York

3.69%

12

CHS

Charleston

3.61%

13

ORF

Norfolk

3.55%

14

CLE

Cleveland

3.53%

15

CMH

Columbus

3.51%

16

TPA

Tampa

3.45%

17

PIT

Pittsburgh

3.38%

18

IND

Indianapolis

3.36%

19

BDL

Hartford

3.35%

20

BOS

Boston

3.34%

21

STL

St. Louis

3.29%

22

SAV

Savannah

3.28%

23

SDF

Louisville

3.18%

24

RIC

Richmond

3.15%

25

JAX

Jacksonville

3.12%

26

RDU

Raleigh/Durham

3.08%

27

BUR

Burbank

3.08%

28

BNA

Nashville

2.99%

29

DFW

Dallas/Fort Worth

2.96%

30

CVG

Cincinnati

2.92%

31

FLL

Fort Lauderdale

2.89%

32

ORD

Chicago

2.86%

33

MCI

Kansas City

2.82%

34

MIA

Miami

2.82%

35

HOU

Houston

2.81%

36

ANC

Anchorage

2.74%

37

PHL

Philadelphia

2.74%

38

MEM

Memphis

2.74%

39

MKE

Milwaukee

2.74%

40

CLT

Charlotte

2.73%

41

AUS

Austin

2.72%

42

DEN

Denver

2.71%

43

MYR

Myrtle Beach

2.59%

44

IAD

Washington

2.49%

45

OKC

Oklahoma City

2.40%

46

MSY

New Orleans

2.37%

47

SNA

Santa Ana

2.34%

48

SJU

San Juan

2.32%

49

ELP

El Paso

2.28%

50

OMA

Omaha

2.22%

51

LAS

Las Vegas

2.20%

52

SAT

San Antonio

2.19%

53

OAK

Oakland

2.15%

54

SEA

Seattle

2.13%

55

SJC

San Jose

2.10%

56

DTW

Detroit

2.10%

57

SMF

Sacramento

2.04%

58

PDX

Portland

2.00%

59

IAH

Houston

1.97%

60

SAN

San Diego

1.93%

61

ONT

Ontario

1.89%

62

PHX

Phoenix

1.85%

63

ABQ

Albuquerque

1.79%

64

MSP

Minneapolis

1.71%

65

TUS

Tucson

1.71%

66

RNO

Reno

1.64%

67

ATL

Atlanta

1.63%

68

SFO

San Francisco

1.63%

69

LAX

Los Angeles

1.55%

70

GEG

Spokane

1.52%

71

BOI

Boise

1.17%

72

SLC

Salt Lake City

1.11%

73

HNL

Honolulu

0.99%

74

OGG

Kahului

0.93%

75

KOA

Kona

0.67%

Methodology

Rankings were based on the flight cancellation rate per airport. Airports on the list also reported 16,200 or more scheduled flights for 2022 (year to date). Sources include InsureMyTrip and The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). BTS tracks the on-time performance of domestic flights operated by large air carriers.


03/20/2022

U.S. Airports Ranked By Flight Cancellation Rates - 2021

InsureMyTrip analyzed the latest flight cancellation data gathered by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) to gain a closer look at the impact of COVID-19, and other factors, on U.S. Airports.

Summary:

  • Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport reported the highest cancellation rates in the country for 2021 with an average cancellation rate of 5.18%.
  • Three (3) airports in Texas - DFW, HOU, and DAL – made the top 10 list for most flight cancellations.
  • Hawaiian airports (KOA, OGG, HNL) maintain a consistent reputation for punctuality.
  • Overall, cancellations were significantly down in 2021 compared to 2020, the peak of the pandemic.

This ranking shows U.S. airports with the most and least percentage of flights canceled. This updated list is based on newly released data, which now includes January through December of 2021.

Rank (Worst)

Airport

City

% of Canceled Flights

1

MSY

New Orleans

5.18%

2

DFW

Dallas/Fort Worth

3.30%

3

HOU

Houston

2.99%

4

EWR

Newark

2.95%

5

BUR

Burbank

2.85%

6

DAL

Dallas

2.83%

7

MEM

Memphis

2.76%

8

MDW

Chicago

2.66%

9

BWI

Baltimore

2.60%

10

MYR

Myrtle Beach

2.25%

11

SAT

San Antonio

2.24%

12

DEN

Denver

2.23%

13

IAH

Houston

2.17%

14

ANC

Anchorage

2.14%

15

BNA

Nashville

2.04%

16

ORD

Chicago

2.03%

17

OKC

Oklahoma City

2.02%

18

RNO

Reno

2.01%

19

FLL

Fort Lauderdale

1.99%

20

AUS

Austin

1.98%

21

SNA

Santa Ana

1.95%

22

MCO

Orlando

1.74%

23

RSW

Fort Myers

1.74%

24

TPA

Tampa

1.72%

25

SDF

Louisville

1.72%

26

STL

St. Louis

1.70%

27

BDL

Hartford

1.69%

28

LGA

New York

1.68%

29

PBI

West Palm Beach/Palm Beach

1.67%

30

SRQ

Sarasota

1.65%

31

TUS

Tucson

1.63%

32

IND

Indianapolis

1.60%

33

MCI

Kansas City

1.59%

34

MKE

Milwaukee

1.58%

35

OMA

Omaha

1.58%

36

SAV

Savannah

1.57%

37

OAK

Oakland

1.56%

38

SEA

Seattle

1.55%

39

CLE

Cleveland

1.55%

40

LAS

Las Vegas

1.51%

41

GRR

Grand Rapids

1.50%

42

JAX

Jacksonville

1.49%

43

IAD

Washington DC

1.48%

44

CHS

Charleston

1.48%

45

DCA

Washington DC

1.48%

46

ABQ

Albuquerque

1.45%

47

RIC

Richmond

1.45%

48

MIA

Miami

1.45%

49

PDX

Portland

1.42%

50

PHL

Philadelphia

1.42%

51

ORF

Norfolk

1.40%

52

CMH

Columbus

1.40%

53

PIT

Pittsburgh

1.39%

54

SJC

San Jose

1.38%

55

BOS

Boston

1.38%

56

ONT

Ontario

1.37%

57

JFK

New York

1.36%

58

SAN

San Diego

1.32%

59

LAX

Los Angeles

1.29%

60

CLT

Charlotte

1.28%

61

PHX

Phoenix

1.28%

62

SMF

Sacremento

1.27%

63

GEG

Spokane

1.25%

64

RDU

Raleigh/Durham

1.25%

65

SFO

San Francisco

1.24%

66

CVG

Cincinnati

1.24%

67

SJU

San Juan

1.14%

68

BOI

Boise

1.03%

69

DTW

Detroit

0.86%

70

MSP

Minneapolis

0.84%

71

SLC

Salt Lake City

0.79%

72

HNL

Honolulu

0.74%

73

KOA

Kalaoa

0.71%

74

ATL

Atlanta

0.69%

75

OGG

Kahului

0.67%

Methodology

Rankings were based on the flight cancellation rate per airport. Airports on the list also reported 14,500 or more scheduled flights for 2021. InsureMyTrip and The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). BTS tracks the on-time performance of domestic flights operated by large air carriers.


03/20/2021

U.S. Airports Ranked By Flight Cancellation Rates - 2020

InsureMyTrip analyzed the latest flight cancellation data gathered by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) to gain a closer look at the impact of COVID-19, and other factors, on U.S. Airports.

Summary:

  • Hollywood Burbank Airport reported the highest cancellation rates in the country so far this year with an average cancellation rate nearing 10 percent. In 2019, Hollywood Burbank averaged around 3.88 percent of flights canceled.
  • Chicago, Buffalo, New Orleans, San Jose, and Las Vegas also reported high volume of flights canceled.
  • Despite unpredictable weather patterns common to the area, Ted Stevens Anchorage International reported the lowest percentage of cancellations (2.47%) of the top 75 busiest airports.

This ranking shows U.S. airports with the most and least percentage of flights canceled. This updated list is based on newly released data, which now includes January through December of 2020.

Rank (Worst)

Airport

City

% of Canceled Flights

1

BUR

Burbank

9.55%

2

MDW

Chicago

9.36%

3

BUF

Buffalo

8.75%

4

MSY

New Orleans

8.45%

5

SJC

San Jose

8.14%

6

LAS

Las Vegas

8.13%

7

DAL

Dallas

8.06%

8

OAK

Oakland

8.03%

9

LGA

New York

7.99%

10

DCA

Washington DC

7.71%

11

HOU

Houston

7.68%

12

MCI

Kansas City

7.55%

13

SAV

Savannah

7.49%

14

SAT

San Antonio

7.48%

15

ABQ

Albuquerque

7.14%

16

PBI

West Palm Beach/Palm Beach

7.10%

17

SNA

Santa Ana

6.94%

18

CHS

Charleston

6.94%

19

RIC

Richmond

6.85%

20

SDF

Louisville

6.82%

21

AUS

Austin

6.80%

22

STL

St. Louis

6.75%

23

RNO

Reno

6.74%

24

BNA

Nashville

6.72%

25

SAN

San Diego

6.70%

26

BWI

Baltimore

6.67%

27

GRR

Grand Rapids

6.66%

28

BHM

Birmingham

6.64%

29

IND

Indianapolis

6.50%

30

RDU

Raleigh/Durham

6.46%

31

SMF

Sacremento

6.41%

32

JAX

Jacksonville

6.37%

33

BOS

Boston

6.36%

34

EWR

Newark

6.33%

35

TPA

Tampa

6.28%

36

PIT

Pittsburgh

6.26%

37

JFK

New York

6.25%

38

ORD

Chicago

6.22%

39

CVG

Cincinnati

6.22%

40

BDL

Hartford

6.21%

41

MKE

Milwaukee

6.21%

42

ONT

Ontario

6.15%

43

CLT

Charlotte

6.14%

44

OMA

Omaha

6.13%

45

DSM

Des Moines

6.11%

46

MEM

Memphis

6.10%

47

TUL

Tulsa

6.07%

48

PHL

Philadelphia

5.95%

49

OGG

Kahului

5.92%

50

IAD

Washington DC

5.91%

51

PHX

Phoenix

5.81%

52

CMH

Columbus

5.78%

53

FLL

Fort Lauderdale

5.73%

54

OKC

Oklahoma City

5.68%

55

ORF

Norfolk

5.64%

56

DEN

Denver

5.62%

57

MCO

Orlando

5.61%

58

RSW

Fort Myers

5.60%

59

IAH

Houston

5.57%

60

SFO

San Francisco

5.57%

61

MIA

Miami

5.56%

62

CLE

Cleveland

5.49%

63

DFW

Dallas/Fort Worth

5.26%

64

LAX

Los Angeles

5.12%

65

TUS

Tucson

4.89%

66

HNL

Honolulu

4.81%

67

PDX

Portland

4.81%

68

ATL

Atlanta

4.69%

69

MSP

Minneapolis

4.49%

70

DTW

Detroit

3.97%

71

SEA

Seattle

3.78%

72

SJU

San Juan

3.78%

73

SLC

Salt Lake City

3.56%

74

BOI

Boise

3.38%

75

ANC

Anchorage

2.47%

Methodology

Rankings were based on the flight cancellation rate per airport. Airports on the list also reported 12,200 or more scheduled flights for 2020. InsureMyTrip and The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). BTS tracks the on-time performance of domestic flights operated by large air carriers.


02/25/2020

Busiest U.S. Airports Ranked by Flight Cancellation Rates - 2019

InsureMyTrip issues its latest airport rankings for flight cancellations

Summary

  • Chicago Midway International reported the highest cancellation rates in the country, bad storms and the groundings of 737 Max jets likely contributed to the spike.
  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International continues to make an impressive on-time performance comeback in 2019.
  • New York's LaGuardia no longer reports the highest percentage of canceled flights in the country. The NYC airport now ranks 8th, a significant improvement.
  • California wildfires led to a significant increase in flight cancellations for Burbank last year.
  • Salt Lake City International in Utah and Kahului Airport in Hawaii maintain a consistent reputation for punctuality, celebrating another year of shocking low cancellations.

This ranking shows U.S. airports with the most and least percentage of flights canceled. This updated list is based on newly released data, which now includes all of 2019.

Rank/Airport

Rank (Worst)

Airport

City

% of Canceled Flights

1

MDW

Chicago

3.88%

2

BUR

Burbank

3.37%

3

ORD

Chicago

3.22%

4

EWR

Newark

3.14%

5

BUF

Buffalo

3.13%

6

HOU

Houston

3.13%

7

DAL

Dallas

3.08%

8

LGA

New York

2.88%

9

GRR

Grand Rapids

2.76%

10

ORF

Norfolk

2.58%

11

DFW

Dallas/Fort Worth

2.57%

12

DCA

Washington DC

2.50%

13

BWI

Baltimore

2.48%

14

PHL

Philadelphia

2.42%

15

MKE

Milwaukee

2.34%

16

PVD

Providence

2.31%

17

SFO

San Francisco

2.31%

18

CHS

Charleston

2.26%

19

STL

St. Louis

2.23%

20

CLE

Cleveland

2.22%

21

BHM

Birmingham

2.21%

22

BOS

Boston

2.13%

23

MEM

Memphis

2.11%

24

RIC

Richmond

2.07%

25

DEN

Denver

2.05%

26

MCI

Kansas City

2.05%

27

OAK

Oakland

1.97%

28

CMH

Columbus

1.95%

29

BDL

Hartford

1.95%

30

OKC

Oklahoma City

1.92%

31

IND

Indianapolis

1.88%

32

OMA

Omaha

1.87%

33

MSY

New Orleans

1.86%

34

PIT

Pittsburgh

1.80%

35

JAX

Jacksonville

1.79%

36

TYS

Knoxville

1.78%

37

SDF

Louisville

1.77%

38

SJC

San Jose

1.72%

39

CVG

Cincinnati

1.68%

40

BNA

Nashville

1.67%

41

MCO

Orlando

1.66%

42

CLT

Charlotte

1.66%

43

RDU

Raleigh/Durham

1.64%

44

IAD

Washington DC

1.63%

45

JFK

New York

1.60%

46

SAN

San Diego

1.59%

47

PBI

West Palm Beach/Palm Beach

1.55%

48

ELP

El Paso

1.49%

49

ONT

Ontario

1.47%

50

ANC

Anchorage

1.44%

51

RNO

Reno

1.43%

52

TUS

Tucson

1.40%

53

SAT

San Antonio

1.40%

54

IAH

Houston

1.39%

55

AUS

Austin

1.38%

56

SMF

Sacramento

1.37%

57

TPA

Tampa

1.35%

58

PHX

Phoenix

1.33%

59

ABQ

Albuquerque

1.32%

60

SNA

Santa Ana

1.26%

61

LAS

Las Vegas

1.26%

62

FLL

Fort Lauderdale

1.25%

63

LAX

Los Angeles

1.20%

64

RSW

Fort Myers

1.19%

65

MIA

Miami

1.15%

66

SEA

Seattle

1.08%

67

DTW

Detroit

1.07%

68

MSP

Minneapolis

1.04%

69

GEG

Spokane

1.00%

70

SJU

San Juan

0.87%

71

PDX

Portland

0.83%

72

BOI

Boise

0.73%

73

ATL

Atlanta

0.61%

74

HNL

Honolulu

0.44%

75

SLC

Salt Lake City

0.42%

76

OGG

Kahului

0.41%

Dealing With Flight Delays

Each airline has its own flight delay policy for passengers waiting at the airport; there are no federal requirements. Travelers concerned about delays should be aware of the following:

  • Generally, early departures are less likely to be delayed.
  • Book a non-stop flight (no stops).
  • When booking, ask the airline about the on-time performance percentage for an individual flight.
  • Closer to departure, check real-time airport data. This will provide timely information on weather concerns or air traffic delays.
  • Be aware of "creeping delays." This is when an airline continues to push back a departure time it can sometimes be extended for hours or lead to a cancellation.
  • If a flight is delayed, try to learn the reason why to better gauge if the flight is in jeopardy of being canceled. Reasons for delays may include maintenance, fueling, crew issues, weather, previous flight with the same aircraft arrived late, causing the present flight to depart late, or security issues.
  • Some flights will be delayed on the tarmac before or after take-off. As a general rule, DOT prohibits flights to remain on the tarmac for more than three hours.

Passengers with departing flights at busier airports should consider travel insurance with robust travel delay benefits.

To schedule an interview with an expert or to request specific research data, please contact [email protected].

Methodology

Rankings were based on the flight cancellation rate per airport. Airports on the list also reported 19,000 or more scheduled flights for 2019. Data Source: InsureMyTrip and The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). BTS tracks the on-time performance of domestic flights operated by large air carriers.


12/19/2019

25 Busiest U.S. Airports for Holiday Travel

In an effort to help empower travelers to make more informed decisions when it comes to holiday travel preparations, InsureMyTrip predicts which U.S. airports will likely be the busiest, and reviews how the latest data trends can aid travelers when comparing travel insurance benefits.

Summary:

  • Chicago O’Hare International and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International will be the busiest airports in the country during the 2019 holiday season
  • Passengers should check crowd-sourced airport security wait times by using the My TSA application and prepare for longer lines during Christmas week
  • Passengers with departing flights at busier airports are more likely to utilize a travel delay benefit and, therefore, may want to compare travel insurance policies with better delay protection

Busiest Airports This Christmas

According to InsureMyTrip, this is the list of busiest airports for Christmas week, based on total domestic flights reported for 2019 thus far:

Rank

Airport

City

Number of Domestic Flights

1

ORD

Chicago

299,839

2

ATL

Atlanta

298,377

3

DFW

Dallas

227,850

4

DEN

Denver

214,451

5

CLT

Charlotte

190,982

6

LAX

Los Angeles

187,571

7

SEA

Seattle

145,350

8

IAH

Houston

134,480

9

PHX

Phoenix

133,475

10

SFO

San Francisco

133,099

11

DTW

Detroit

132,696

12

LGA

New York

129,909

13

LAS

Las Vegas

126,313

14

MSP

Minneapolis

122,638

15

EWR

Newark

118,254

16

PHL

Philadelphia

117,930

17

BOS

Boston

113,571

18

DCA

Washington DC

107,925

19

MCO

Orlando

106,538

20

JFK

New York

96,310

21

SLC

Salt Lake City

91,400

22

BWI

Baltimore

78,560

23

SAN

San Diego

74,708

24

FTL

Fort Lauderdale

73,019

25

WDI

Washington DC

69,709

InsureMyTrip analyzed non-stop domestic flights by major air carriers collected in 2019 thus far by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Longest Estimated Security Wait Times

According to InsureMyTrip, here’s a general look at the time of the week when security wait times for passengers tend to be the longest:

Code

Airport

Busiest Day & Time

Average Wait Time

ORD

Chicago O'Hare International

Sun. between 8 am - 9 am

30 - 45 min

ATL

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International

Mon. between 7 am - 9 am

30 - 45 min

DFW

Dallas/Fort Worth International

Sun. between 6 am - 7 am

15 - 30 min

DEN

Denver International

Sun. between 9 am - 10 am and Sat. 8 am - 10 am

30 - 45 min

CLT

Charlotte Douglas International

Sun. 1 pm - 2 pm

60 min or more

LAX

Los Angeles International

Varies*

15 - 30 minutes, most of the time

SEA

Seattle/Tacoma International

Sat. 6 am - 8 am

30 - 45 min

IAH

George Bush Intercontinental/Houston

Wed. 2 pm - 4 pm and Fri. 5 am - 6 am

30 - 45 min

PHX

Phoenix Sky Harbor International

Tues. 5 am - 6 am

15 - 30 min

SFO

San Francisco International

Thurs. 8 am - 9 am and Fri

15 - 30 min

Methodology

This data was collected by the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) and analyzed by InsureMyTrip. Data only includes standard wait time estimates for the busiest U.S. airports, based off the latest historical data available. Does not include wait times for TSA PreCheck passengers.

*Los Angeles International is listed as varied wait times, due to no clear day and time when extended wait times are more likely to happen.

Both the TSA and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provide information on wait times at airports and border crossings. While security wait times are dynamic, travelers can check crowd-sourced airport security wait times by using the My TSA app prior to departure.

Best Protection for Flight Delays

Based on these data results, travelers can make smarter choices about their travel plans and travel insurance purchases. For example, passengers with departing flights at busier airports are more likely to utilize a travel delay benefit and, therefore, may want to compare travel insurance policies with better delay protection.

Travel delay benefits vary with each travel insurance provider, generally between a 5 and 24-hour window. The benefit is designed to provide reimbursement for reasonable meals and accommodations while unable to travel.

Tip: Travelers must be delayed for a certain number of hours before this benefit can be applied. When comparing travel insurance, look for the minimum delay time (typically, starting at 5 hours) to start qualifying for coverage as soon as possible.

Best Protection for Delayed Bags

Travelers may also want to ensure baggage delay coverage is included under a selected comprehensive travel insurance plan. Baggage delay coverage generally becomes active after belongings have been delayed for a specified period of time, typically 12 or 24 hours.

Tip: When comparing travel insurance, look for a maximum per-person coverage amount as well as a per-day limit. For example, some policies may offer $500 per person to purchase incidentals, but only allow $200 to be spent per day.

Best Protection for Missing Cruise Departure

For those concerned about a delayed flight adversely affecting a cruise or tour departure, travelers may also want to ensure a missed connection benefit is included under a selected comprehensive travel insurance plan. This benefit is designed to provide travelers with coverage if a delayed flight (for example, of 3 hours or more) causes a traveler to miss a cruise departure.


05/24/2018

Worst U.S. Airports for Hurricane-Related Delays & Cancellations

In an effort to help empower passengers to make more informed decisions while traveling during the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season, InsureMyTrip predicts which U.S. airports are most prone to delays and cancellations and what passengers should know about airline policies.

Airport Delay Data Summary:

  • Researchers ranked the on-time performance for the busiest airports in the Eastern U.S., the part of the country that is most impacted by tropical storms.*
  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is ranked the best overall for handling delays and cancellations during hurricane season. It is also the busiest.
  • Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia, and John F. Kennedy International are ranked the worst overall for delays and cancellations during hurricane season. All three airports are twice as likely to report a weather delay than any other airport on the list.
  • Passengers should anticipate flight disruptions when a storm develops. Nationwide, flight cancellations soared for major U.S. airports in August and September last year due to storms.

Overall U.S. Airport Data Ranking (Worst to Best)

  1. Newark, NJ: Newark Liberty International
  2. New York, NY: LaGuardia
  3. New York, NY: John F. Kennedy International
  4. Houston, TX: George Bush Intercontinental/Houston
  5. Washington, DC: Ronald Reagan Washington National
  6. Dallas/Fort Worth, TX: Dallas/Fort Worth International
  7. Fort Lauderdale, FL: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International
  8. Philadelphia, PA: Philadelphia International
  9. Boston, MA: Logan International
  10. Baltimore, MD: Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall
  11. Dallas, TX: Dallas Love Field
  12. Orlando, FL: Orlando International
  13. Houston, TX: William P Hobby
  14. Miami, FL: Miami International
  15. Washington, DC: Washington Dulles International
  16. Fort Myers, FL: Southwest Florida International
  17. Raleigh/Durham, NC: Raleigh-Durham International
  18. Austin, TX: Austin - Bergstrom International
  19. Tampa, FL: Tampa International
  20. Charlotte, NC: Charlotte Douglas International
  21. Pittsburgh, PA: Pittsburgh International
  22. Nashville, TN: Nashville International
  23. San Antonio, TX: San Antonio International
  24. New Orleans, LA: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International
  25. Atlanta, GA: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International

Methodology

*U.S. airports were ranked by the InsureMyTrip travel data team. Data combined three years of on-time performance statistics for the 25 busiest airports (based on the volume of flight operations) located in Eastern U.S. On-time performance data included weather delays for airports — including those attributed to extreme weather conditions and delays under the control of the National Airspace System (NAS). The proportion of weather delays to the number of flights was also calculated in addition to the overall number of delays and minutes of delays. Researchers also reviewed the percentage of cancellations (domestic arrivals and departures). Data was obtained by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), the agency that tracks the on-time performance of domestic flights operated by large air carriers.

Researchers evaluated on-time data for selected airports during the 2015, 2016, and 2017 hurricane season. The official hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th (Source: NOAA).