Upgraded Points recently analyzed Bureau of Transportation Statistics data on flight delay rates, average wait times, cancellation percentages, and tarmac delays in June through August to determine which hubs and carriers cause the most summertime disruptions.
"Summer travel comes with a unique set of challenges, namely airport traffic congestion and summer storms, but some airports and airlines struggle to stay on time in the season more often than others," said Keri Stooksbury, editor-in-chief at Upgraded Points. "But by knowing where delays, cancellations, and tarmac holds happen most, travelers can pick smarter routes, plan better layovers, and even choose airlines that keep their vacations on track."
The study examined summer departure records for every flight operated at the 60 busiest U.S. airports and by the 10 largest domestic carriers during the summer months of 2022 through 2024. The analysis compared each airport and airline's share of delayed departures, average delay duration in minutes, cancellation rate, and mean taxi-out time to identify the biggest delay hotspots.
Airports With the Highest Delay Rates
While the national average summer delay rate sits at 26.4 percent, these five hubs see far more frequent hold-ups:
- Baltimore (BWI) – 38.9 percent of summertime flights delayed
- Chicago (MDW) – 38.1 percent
- Orlando (MCO) – 34.7 percent
- Fort Lauderdale (FLL) – 34.2 percent
- Miami (MIA) – 32.9 percent
Airports With the Lowest Delay Rates
These airports stand out for keeping summer flights on schedule, minimizing traveler headaches:
- Boise (BOI) – 15.6 percent of summertime flights delayed
- Anchorage (ANC) – 16.6 percent
- Honolulu (HNL) – 17.1 percent
- Maui (OGG) – 17.4 percent
- Portland (PDX) – 17.8 percent
Airlines With the Most Delayed Summertime Flights
Airports are not the only reason the summer travel plans may be delayed. Each airline faces staffing, timing, and mechanical challenges that can keep a flight grounded for longer than expected.
These five airlines have the highest proportion of delayed summertime flights:
- JetBlue – 35.6 percent of summertime flights delayed
- Frontier Airlines – 33.8 percent
- Southwest Airlines – 32 percent
- American Airlines – 31 percent
- Spirit Airlines – 30.5 percent
Visit the full study online for more detailed insights, including cancellation and tarmac times, along with colorful infographics.
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