Friday is the worst day to fly over the Easter holiday weekend, as bad weather and busy airports are likely to lead to delays, according to a new analysis from AirHelp. The company analyzed data from last year’s Easter weekend travel period, from Thursday, March 29 – Monday, April 2, 2018, to get a sense of what travelers can expect this year.
Last year, more than 20,000 flights were disrupted over the Easter weekend, AirHelp said, with Friday, March 30, seeing the biggest crowds, as it falls right before the holiday weekend. The top 10 most disrupted routes over Easter weekend 2018 were:
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
- Boston Edward L. Logan International Airport (BOS) to New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
- Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- San Jose Norman Y. Mineta International Airport (SJC) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Dallas Love Field (DAL) to Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
- West Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
For travelers flying over the busy holiday weekend, AirHelp suggests looking into booking on an off-peak travel day, such as the Wednesday before or the Tuesday after Easter, as well as out of neighboring, smaller airports. Also, the company suggests that travelers know their rights if their flight is disrupted, as well as keep their boarding pass and all receipts when flying out of or within the European Union (EU), which has additional ways passengers can claim compensation. Lastly, be sure to leave extra time traveling to and from the airport.
Related Stories
Stats: Top Trending Destinations for Spring Break Travel
Stats: Top 10 Countries for an Electric Vehicle Road Trip