For those traveling over the holiday season in the U.S. during the next few days, it can be a pretty miserable experience.
This period over the holidays and before the new year is the busiest time of the year to fly, and with inclement winter weather and short staffed airports, delays are commonplace.
United Airlines actually fared better in the ratings of U.S. airlines during the holiday season last … [+]
Based on data of all departing flights in the U.S. from the 2018 holiday period compiled by Treetopia three airports experienced an incredible delay rate to over 70% if departing aircraft over the period.
These were Chicago Midway (77% of flights delayed), William P. Hobby Airport in Houston (74% of flights delayed) and Dallas Love Field which experience fed 70% of flights with delays.
If you’re flying out of any of the 10 airports at the bottom of the list below, then the chances are that you may experience delays. Amazingly, most of the airports that fared better were on the Eastern Seaboard or in the Midwest, which tends to experience inclement weather during the winter period. Seemingly, they are used to bad weather conditions.
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 26: A jet passes snow-covered cars parked at Denver International Airport on … [+]
Chicago Midway – 77% of flights delayed
William P. Hobby (Houston) – 74%
Dallas Love Field – 70%
Baltimore – 62%
St Louis Lambert International – 55%
Oakland International – 55%
Albuquerque International Sunport – 53%
Hollywood Burbank – 53%
El Paso International – 53%
Nashville International – 51%
Chicago, UNITED STATES: Workers clear a path for a delayed Southwest flight out of Midway airport in … [+]
Although airports in the Southwest and California, both regions with milder weather, comprise the majority of the most delayed airports on this list, it’s worth remembering that delays may not just be related to your airport of departure, but also your choice of airline.
The worst four airlines for delays during the holiday period in the U.S. last year was Southwest (64% of flights delayed), Frontier (50% delayed), JetBlue (46% delayed) and American Airlines (40% delayed).
With both Southwest and Frontier experiencing delays to their flights of over 50% during the holiday season it may serve you better to fly on carriers that have better on-time reliability such as Delta and United.
