Should you’re planning a visit for your self or a gaggle in 2024, it means bracing for one factor: flight delays. Little else is extra irritating than having your long-awaited trip begin with hours in a crowded terminal or being caught on the tarmac, scrolling via your telephone, and ready for updates.
However why are delays turning into so frequent this yr, and which U.S. airports are the largest culprits? Buckle up as a result of the captain turned on the seatbelt signal, and we’re diving into the nitty-gritty of journey delays in 2024 and what you are able to do to make your journey a bit smoother.
What’s Inflicting All These Delayed Flights?
Earlier than we get into the specifics of which airports are the worst offenders, let’s discuss what’s inflicting all these delays within the first place. There are numerous causes, and generally the universe conspires towards vacationers (at the very least it will possibly really feel that manner!). Nonetheless, among the greatest culprits, according to NerdWallet, this yr embody:
- Staffing Shortages: Airways face staffing shortages, particularly amongst pilots and floor crew, inflicting frequent delays because of fewer workers members managing flights and operations.
- Elevated Air Visitors: After the pandemic, a surge in vacationers is inflicting file numbers at airports, resulting in extra congestion and delays.
- Climate Woes: Unpredictable climate, like storms and fog, continues to trigger vital journey delays in 2024.
- Tech Troubles: Regardless of developments, tech glitches, from air visitors management points to airplane software program issues, are more and more grounding flights.
- Infrastructure Upgrades: Whereas useful in the long run, ongoing airport renovations are at present inflicting delays and bottlenecks.
The Worst U.S. Airports with the Most Delays and Cancellations
Now that we’ve coated the ‘why,’ let’s get into the ‘the place.’ Some airports have an nearly infamous repute for by no means being on time and having too many cancellations. You may guess it’s due to the variety of flights these main airports deal with. In line with a current report by AirAdvisor, these are the 12 busiest airports the place you’re almost certainly to face home flight delays in 2024.
| Airport | Flight Delay Frequency | Causes |
| Chicago Halfway Worldwide Airport (MDW) | ~ 37% | – Heavy air visitors – Outdated infrastructure – Extreme climate |
| Orlando Worldwide Airport (MCO) | ~33% | – Excessive vacationer visitors – In depth renovation tasks |
| Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Worldwide Airport (FLL) | ~32% | – Congestion and climate disruptions, particularly throughout hurricane season |
| Dallas/Fort Value Worldwide Airport (DFW) | ~31% | – Airport’s dimension, – Extreme climate – Being a central hub for American Airways |
| Denver Worldwide Airport (DEN) | ~31% | – Unpredictable climate like snowstorms and excessive winds |
| Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport (EWR) | ~31% | – Passenger volumes – Building – Operational challenges |
| John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK) | ~30% | – Excessive volumes of worldwide flights – Climate disruptions |
| San Francisco Worldwide Airport (SFO) | ~30% | – Fog – Runway renovations |
| Boston Logan Worldwide Airport (BOS) | ~29% | – Winter Climate – Congestion from close by vital airports |
| Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Worldwide Airport (ATL) | ~28% | – Summer season thunderstorms – Excessive visitors quantity |
| Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (LAX) | ~28% | – Passenger quantity, – Building – Climate points like fog and smog |
| Chicago O’Hare Worldwide Airport (ORD) | ~27% | – Climate – Air visitors management points |
Should you’re flying via any of those airports, it’s sensible to arrange for potential delays and take precautions to make your journey smoother. In fact, the above checklist isn’t complete. It doesn’t imply you gained’t face canceled flights or disruptions to your journey plans at Laguardia Airport in New York, Philadelphia Worldwide airports, or regional airports. So, travel prepared, and also you’ll all the time journey good — and we’ve got some tricks to get you there.
Tips on how to Navigate Air Journey Like a Professional
Now that the place the worst delays are, what are you able to do to arrange? We now have some ideas that can assist you navigate journey delays and luxuriate in your trip:
- Plan for Delays: It might sound pessimistic, however getting ready for delays can considerably cut back your stress and uncertainty. When reserving flights, think about giving your self additional time for connections. Bear in mind, a extra prolonged layover is all the time higher than lacking your subsequent flight!
- Keep Up to date: Most airways have apps that present real-time updates on flight statuses. Make certain to obtain these and activate notifications. Bear in mind, data is energy, and understanding about early delays may help you regulate your plans and cut back the influence of the delay in your journey.
- Pack Sensible: At all times pack necessities in your carry-on, together with medicines, snacks, and a change of garments.
- Purchase Journey Insurance coverage: That is the place your supplier can come to the rescue. Many journey insurance coverage insurance policies provide protection for journey delays. Relying in your coverage, meals, lodging, and even different transportation will be reimbursed.
- Use Airport Lounges: Should you’re a frequent flier, investing in an airport lounge membership will be value it. Lounges provide snug seating, free meals and drinks, and sometimes have showers and different facilities that make a protracted delay far more bearable.
- Keep Calm and Preserve Busy: Lastly, preserve your cool. Delays are irritating, however getting upset gained’t make your airplane take off quicker. Carry a great e-book, obtain some motion pictures, or use the time to make amends for work or emails.
The Advantages of Journey Insurance coverage for Delays
One of the irritating issues about journey delays is the fee they’ll rack up. Past the annoyance of ready round, there’s usually the expense of shopping for additional meals and even reserving a resort room in case you’re stranded in a single day. That’s the place journey insurance coverage may help.
- Travel Delay Coverage: Most complete journey insurance coverage embody journey delay protection. Should you cope with a delay between 3 and 12 hours, you may get reimbursed for cheap bills like meals, lodges, and transportation. Every coverage has specifics, so learn the advantageous print and know what’s coated.
- Missed Connection Coverage: Delays or missed connections can create chaos, however this profit may help ease the stress by reimbursing you for catching up in your journey — notably useful for worldwide journey, the place lacking a connection will be pricey.
- Trip Interruption Coverage: If a delay causes you to overlook a whole journey, journey interruption protection can reimburse you for the unused, non-refundable portion, protecting something from missed excursions to pay as you go lodges.
Last Boarding Name
When you can’t management the skies, you’ll be able to definitely management the way you put together for them—with our assist. Whether or not because of climate, staffing shortages, or infrastructure upgrades, we should cope with delays. However with some planning and one of the best journey insurance coverage, you’ll be able to flip chaos right into a reminiscence. Protected travels!
