The 2023 holiday travel season is already going down as one of the busiest in recent memory. With the pandemic mostly in the rearview mirror for travelers, many who have held off on flying for the past several years are deciding to visit family for the holidays once again.
When you combine throngs of air travelers with winter weather and packed taxiways and gates, flight delays are inevitable. We all do our best to plan for it, but which airports in the USA are the least likely to have flight delays this holiday season? Based on data compiled by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics at the US Department of Transportation, we can find out.
Airports with the Fewest Delays in 2023
- Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport
Despite it’s snowy climate, MSP in Minnesota stays on time better than any other airport in the US, posting a flight delay percentage of just 16.5%. - Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Serving the massive Seattle Metropolitan Area, SEA gets its flights out more often than not, with just 17.6% delayed on average. - Salt Lake City International Airport
Another airport in a snowy climate, SLC in Utah has averaged just 17.9% delayed flights in 2023. - Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
As the only Midwestern airport in the top 5, this airport in Michigan sees only 18.3% of its flights delayed. - Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Despite being one of the busiest airports in the world, ATL in Atlanta sees an average of just 19.1% of flights delayed.
Which Airports Have the Most Delayed Flights?
- San Juan Airport – Luis Munoz Marin International (SJU)
33.9% of flights delayed. - Orlando International Airport (MCO)
30% of flights delayed. - Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
29.7% of flights delayed. - Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
29.6% of flights delayed. - Ford Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
29.5% of flights delayed.
How to Deal with Flight Delays
Even the best airports can have delayed flights, but what can you do about it? Besides getting to the airport early, having activities to keep kids occupied, and an itinerary that can handle being pushed back a bit, you should also strongly consider buying travel insurance. A travel insurance plan can offer valuable protection that includes coverage for travel delay, trip interruption, trip cancellation, and much more. It can save you a lot of money when things don’t go as planned, leaving a bit more in your pocket this holiday season.