These Flights Have Many Flight Delays and Cancellations

Few things are more annoying than a last-minute flight delay or cancellation. In 2024 there was an unusually high number of delays: the percentage of people arriving on time between February and June 2024 decreased at nine of the 10 largest US airlines, according to the latest data from the Department of Transportation.

Released on October 21, new data on flight and airport delays show that only Hawaiian Airlines (which serves a small number of 10 major airports) has an over 85% on-time rate in August, while 2% of flights are canceled .

The good news in 2024 is that if your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to a full refund. The Biden administration announced in April that airlines must now “immediately” provide automatic refunds when flights are canceled.

For more air travel tips, check out these three steps to save money on plane tickets, and learn when you’ll need to have Real ID to fly domestically in the US.

Which airlines have the highest rates of delays and cancellations?

Airlines’ records of getting passengers to their destinations on time vary from month to month. In August 2024, Hawaiian Airlines had the highest percentage of on-time arrivals — 86.8% — according to the Department of Transportation’s August 2024 Air Travel Consumer Report.

The same report noted that Southwest Airlines had the lowest number of canceled flights, at 0.9%, while JetBlue had the highest cancellation rate, at 4.5%.

Here are the on-time percentages of major US airlines, according to the DOT.

As mentioned, these percentages vary from month to month. You can view historical reports on the DOT website.

Avoiding flight delays is not just a matter of choosing one airline over another. With some careful planning, you can avoid headaches and get to your destination on time, or at least, give yourself the best chance of doing so. Read on to learn how to avoid flight delays on your next flight, as well as the best and worst flights to be on time.

1. Don’t fly too early or too late

You can expect airports to be very busy at certain times of the day. Flights start to back up around 3pm, and flights departing after that time have a high 50% chance of being cancelled.

However, you also don’t want to fly early if you can’t avoid it. Airports tend to be busiest in the morning, from 5 to 8 a.m., so you’ll spend a lot of time waiting in TSA lines during those hours. If you want to avoid the crowds and have a flexible schedule, try to book a daytime flight, before or after noon.

2. Book a non-stop flight or allow extra layover time

The collapse will make the trip even longer. Layovers can take up to 4 hours on domestic flights, and up to 24 hours on international flights.

While you may save some money by booking a connecting flight, you may end up regretting it when your connecting flight is delayed. By booking a non-stop flight, you will spend less time at airports and arrive at your destination earlier. You may end up paying less than you expected if you book your flight early.

3. Install your airline app on your phone

Many airlines offer a mobile app that allows you to check in to your flight in advance. This feature is usually offered 24 hours before the flight takes off, which means you can save time by completing this step at home. Also, you will be able to track the status of your flight and reschedule if the flight is delayed or canceled.

4. Check the weather in advance, at both airports

Bad weather accounts for 75% of flight delays. The number can vary depending on the city and time of year, but it’s always a good idea to check the weather a few days before your flight. Be sure to check both the city you are flying into and the city you are flying into.

For example, maybe a friend will pick you up where you are going, and you are expecting a storm when you arrive. You can plan accordingly, and save some of your friend’s time by telling him to come to the airport later.

5. Do not check bags

Not only are checked bags expensive, but they are another potential source of delay. You have to spend a few extra minutes checking in your extra luggage before your flight, and you may spend a lot longer waiting to get off the baggage carousel.

You can avoid those extra steps if you can pack everything in your carry-on bag and a personal item. This way, you’ll have one less thing to worry about when you get to your destination. Also, it’s always good to go slow.

6. Be prepared to spend more time at these airports

The US has some of the largest airports in the world, with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International topping the list. By 2023, an estimated 104.6 million people will pass through Hartsfield-Jackson. Dallas/Fort Worth International had nearly 82 million passengers, and Los Angeles International had 75 million.

If you are flying from Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia Airport, or JFK International, your flight may be delayed due to weather. Data from the Federal Aviation Administration shows that airports in the New York City area collectively experience twice as many delays as the second city on the list (Chicago). Delays are worst in April, May, and June.

And if you’re flying anywhere in Florida, be sure to prepare for delays. Six of the top 10 worst US airports for delays can be found in the Sunshine State.

Here are the US airports with the lowest and highest percentage of flight delays in 2023, according to InsureMyTrip.

7. Know your rights when it comes to flight refunds

If the worst comes to worst and your flight is cancelled, remember that you can get a refund. According to the US Department of Transportation, you are entitled to a full refund if your flight is canceled — “regardless of the reason” — or significantly delayed. A new policy to help protect consumers from unexpected airline fees went into effect in August 2024.

In some cases, you may receive a partial refund of the cost of your ticket. If your seat is downgraded or you don’t receive services you paid for in advance, such as in-flight Wi-Fi, you should be refunded the difference.

If your flight is canceled and the airline refuses to refund you, the DOT recommends that you file a formal complaint with the federal government. You will need to provide basic personal information such as your postal address, as well as flight details (including your flight number if you have one) and an explanation of what happened when your flight was cancelled.

For more travel tips, read about how to use AI to plan your trip and five great gadgets to stay connected on the go.