The Worst Airports for Holiday Flight Delays

by Briana Bonfiglio / November 15, 2023

Between the crowds and the weather, we all know holiday air travel can be a huge headache. Though there’s always a chance of cancelations and delays, some airports are more prone to holiday travel chaos than others.

A recent study by agamble.com revealed the 25 worst airports for holiday travel that had the most delays and cancellations between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day in 2022. The data showed us the best airports for holiday travel, as well.

Here are the airports you might want to avoid if you’re dodging delays and cancellations, with the percentage of flights that were delayed and canceled during the 2022 holiday season.

Chicago Midway International: 49.2%
Orlando International: 42%
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International: 41.3%
William P. Hobby (Houston): 41%
Dallas Love Field: 40%
Harry Reid International (Las Vegas): 39.6%
Metro Oakland International: 39.1%
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood: 38.8%
Tampa International (Tampa): 38.2%
San Antonio International (San Antonio): 37.7% delayed or canceled

Those are just the top 10 worst airports for holiday travel. The full list of 25 airports includes four in Texas, four in California, and four in Florida.

On the flip side, here are the best to travel through during the holidays, with their percentages of on-time departures from last year’s holiday rush.

Charlotte Douglas International: 77.5%
Washington Dulles International: 75.7%
Detroit Metro Wayne County: 74.8%
Ronald Reagan Washington National: 73.6%
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International: 73.6%
George Bush Intercontinental (Houston): 73.6%
Chicago O’Hare International: 73.3%
Salt Lake City International: 72.7%
Philadelphia International: 72.4%
Dallas/Fort Worth International: 71.5%

Regardless of where you or your clients are traveling, there’s always a risk of delays or cancelations during the holidays. Remember to check for the most updated flight information before leaving for the airport and exercise your best patience when you get there.