U.S. Airport Statistics & Flight Cancellation Data

Last updated on 03/31/2023

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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].

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:

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:

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.

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