The holiday season is here, making airports a dispiriting place despite the joyful season.
A new study has revealed which airports in the United States experience the most delays, making your holiday feel like you’re spending more time at the airport than with loved ones.
“With packed airports, unpredictable weather, and lines that feel longer than Santa’s naughty list, the journey to festive joy can bring more stress than sparkle,” experts at Palm Paradise Realty Group, a professional concierge real estate service based in Florida, said in the study.
Palm Paradise Realty Group determined how long the wait is at each major US airport using data from the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Operational Network (OPSNET) data portal. Airport delay performance was analyzed by calculating key metrics: average delay in minutes, total number of delays, and the percentage of flights delayed.
Using the data, they created three different airport rankings — total delays, average delay time, and percentage of delayed flights.
Findings showed that the the three airports that will test most people’s patience this season are San Francisco International, Chicago Midway, and Aspen-Pitkin County Airports.
When it comes to total number of delays, San Francisco International Airport came in first place with 1,568 total delays.
“The airport is known for its dense fog and unpredictable weather, particularly during colder months,” Palm Paradise Realty Group said of SFO. “Its location near the Pacific Coast and the surrounding hills often results in low visibility, leading to flight delays and even cancellations.”
In second place was Harry Reid International Airport, formerly known as McCarran International Airport, in Las Vegas, Nevada, followed by Miami International Airport.
“Additionally, Miami’s location in a subtropical climate zone can lead to storms and occasional high winds that further disrupt flight schedules,” according to Palm Paradise Realty Group.
Both of New York’s major airports, John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport, made the top 10, coming in at No. 5 and No. 7, respectively.
When airports were ranked by average delay time by minute, Chicago Midway Airport had the longest average delay time at 127 minutes. This is partly because there is limited runway space and it’s located in a densely populated area.
Unlike Chicago O’Hare, Chicago Midway doesn’t have the same capacity to handle high traffic volumes, leading to congestion and longer delays, the realty group explained.
In second and third place were two Florida airports: Naples Municipal Airport and Palm Beach International Airport, respectively.
New York’s Westchester County Airport made the top 10 of this list, coming in at No. 6 with an average delay time of 71 minutes.
Ranking airports by the percentage of flights delayed found Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (ASE) in first place, with 5.35% of their flights being delayed.
The gap between ASE and second place San Francisco International is 1.64%, the biggest gap on the table.
SFO was found to have 3.71% of their flights delayed, followed by Naples Municipal Airport with 2.87% in third place.
Both LaGuardia Airport (1.78%) and JFK (1.55%) made this list as well, coming in 7th and 9th, respectively.
To avoid delays and deal with the stress that is holiday travel, a spokesperson for Palm Paradise Realty Group shared that the key is all about timing and preparation.
“Holiday travel doesn’t have to mean holiday hassle,” the spokesperson said.
They advised aiming for early morning flights since they’re less likely to be delayed and there are often less crowds in airports.
“Airports get busier closer to Christmas, so fly a few days earlier to dodge the biggest rush if you can,” they shared.
They also suggested to “pack smart” — “Bring snacks, a water bottle you can refill after security, and things to keep you entertained if you end up waiting a bit longer. Download your airline’s app to get updates in real-time, and don’t forget a portable charger to keep your devices juiced up!”
The spokesperson suggested for families, “Make a game of spotting holiday decor around the airport or counting Christmas sweaters—small distractions can go a long way in keeping the kids (and adults!) cheerful.
“Most importantly, embrace the spirit of the season. Delays are almost unavoidable this time of year, but keeping a positive mindset can make all the difference.”
Top 10 US Commercial Airports Ranked By Total Number Of Delays
- San Francisco International Airport (1,568 total delays)
- Harry Reid International Airport, formerly Mccarran International Airport (1,511)
- Miami International Airport (1,073)
- Chicago O’hare International Airport (856)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (821)
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (718)
- LaGuardia Airport (667)
- Palm Beach International Airport (631)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (545)
- Seattle/Tacoma International Airport (509)
Top 10 US Commercial Airports Ranked By Average Delay Time
- Chicago Midway Airport (127 minutes)
- Naples Municipal Airport (110 minutes)
- Palm Beach International Airport (92 minutes)
- Eagle County Regional Airport (85 minutes)
- Boston Logan International Airport (78 minutes)
- Westchester County Airport (71 minutes)
- Hector International Airport (60 minutes)
- Southwest Florida International Airport (58 minutes)
- San Francisco International Airport (55 minutes)
- Santa Barbara Airport (50 minutes)
Top 10 US Commercial Airports Ranked By Percentage Of Flights Delayed
- Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (5.35% of flights delayed)
- San Francisco International Airport (3.71%)
- Naples Municipal Airport (2.87%)
- Palm Beach International Airport (2.84%)
- Harry Reid International Airport, formerly McCarran International Airport (2.25%)
- Miami International Airport (1.88%)
- LaGuardia Airport (1.78%)
- Friedman Memorial Airport (1.56%)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (1.55%)
- Seattle/Tacoma International Airport (1.15%)
