Major airports with the longest departure delays
Sergey Furtaev // Shutterstock
Major airports with the longest departure delays
Young man with backpack in airport near flight status screen.
About 1 in 5 passengers who flew in the U.S. this year have had to deal with the misfortune of their flight leaving late. Even though airlines publish their schedules, they don’t guarantee them.
These days, flight delays are trending higher and higher, according to statistics from the Department of Transportation. In 2018 and 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, the average share of departure delays for flights in the U.S. was 19% and 19.5%, respectively. In 2022 and 2023 (as of August), departure delays were up to 21.5% and 22%, the highest average in nearly a decade.
Unlike the more generous regulations in the European Union, U.S. carriers are not obligated to compensate passengers for flight delays. However, each company has its own policy, so travelers may be able to get something in exchange for the headache of a delay. It’s always advisable to check with the airline to see if they will make accommodations, such as rebooking on a different flight or providing meal vouchers.
Since the federal government doesn’t require airlines to provide passengers with delay protections, it’s up to the flying public to ensure a delayed flight doesn’t ruin plans. When traveling for an immovable event like a wedding or cruise, for example, consider leaving a day in advance to add a buffer for any potential delays. Some travel insurance policies also compensate for long delays and could provide reimbursements for food, hotels, and more.
It’s wise to be particularly cautious when flying from certain U.S. airports that report more flight delays across all U.S. airlines than others. TravelPerk explored 25 of the biggest airports in the country and ranked them according to the share of departure flights that experience delays, using data from the Department of Transportation from September 2022 to August 2023.
Continue reading to find out if your nearest airport is prone to pushing back flight times.
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock
#25. Minneapolis-St Paul International
Moving walkway with people in MSP airport.
– City: Minneapolis, Minnesota
– Total flights from September 2022 to August 2023: 120,552
– Percent of flights delayed at least 15 minutes: 16.7%
– Median minutes delayed: 16
– Most common destinations: DEN, ORD, ATL
ZikG // Shutterstock
#24. Salt Lake City International
Delta Airlines plane at SLC airport boarding passengers.
– City: Salt Lake City, Utah
– Total flights from September 2022 to August 2023: 108,272
– Percent of flights delayed at least 15 minutes: 17.6%
– Median minutes delayed: 14
– Most common destinations: DEN, PHX, LAX
EQRoy // Shutterstock
#23. Detroit Metro Wayne County
The McNamara Terminal at the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Metro Airport.
– City: Detroit, Michigan
– Total flights from September 2022 to August 2023: 124,715
– Percent of flights delayed at least 15 minutes: 17.8%
– Median minutes delayed: 18
– Most common destinations: ATL, ORD, LGA
Douglas Litchfield // Shutterstock
#22. Ronald Reagan Washington National
United States Capitol and Reagan National Airport on a summer day.
– City: Washington, D.C.
– Total flights from September 2022 to August 2023: 143,183
– Percent of flights delayed at least 15 minutes: 18.1%
– Median minutes delayed: 19
– Most common destinations: BOS, ATL, LGA
EQRoy // Shutterstock
#21. Seattle/Tacoma International
Interior of the The Sea-Tac Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
– City: Seattle, Washington
– Total flights from September 2022 to August 2023: 175,949
– Percent of flights delayed at least 15 minutes: 18.2%
– Median minutes delayed: 13
– Most common destinations: PDX, ANC, LAX
EQRoy // Shutterstock
#20. Philadelphia International
Airplanes from American Airlines at the Philadelphia International Airport.
– City: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
– Total flights from September 2022 to August 2023: 98,234
– Percent of flights delayed at least 15 minutes: 18.4%
– Median minutes delayed: 20
– Most common destinations: MCO, ATL, BOS
Michael Rosebrock // Shutterstock
#19. Los Angeles International
Aerial view of Los Angeles International Airport with its streets, entrances and exits.
– City: Los Angeles, California
– Total flights from September 2022 to August 2023: 192,726
– Percent of flights delayed at least 15 minutes: 19.7%
– Median minutes delayed: 16
– Most common destinations: SFO, LAS, JFK
JHVEPhoto // Shutterstock
#18. San Francisco International
Exterior view of San Francisco International Airport.
– City: San Francisco, California
– Total flights from September 2022 to August 2023: 134,948
– Percent of flights delayed at least 15 minutes: 20.4%
– Median minutes delayed: 15
– Most common destinations: LAX, JFK, SEA
Scott Heaney // Shutterstock
#17. LaGuardia
Welcome to New York City sign at a Delta gate in terminal C at Laguardia Airport.
– City: New York, New York
– Total flights from September 2022 to August 2023: 168,772
– Percent of flights delayed at least 15 minutes: 20.5%
– Median minutes delayed: 23
– Most common destinations: ORD, BOS, ATL
Coffee Mate // Shutterstock
#16. Chicago O’Hare International
Chicago O’Hare international airport, check in counter.
– City: Chicago, Illinois
– Total flights from September 2022 to August 2023: 277,274
– Percent of flights delayed at least 15 minutes: 20.7%
– Median minutes delayed: 18
– Most common destinations: LGA, LAX, DCA
LisaCarter // Shutterstock
#15. Charlotte Douglas International
Busy travelers in the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
– City: Charlotte, North Carolina
– Total flights from September 2022 to August 2023: 206,146
– Percent of flights delayed at least 15 minutes: 20.9%
– Median minutes delayed: 19
– Most common destinations: MCO, LGA, ATL
Scott Heaney // Shutterstock
#14. Nashville International
People in motion in the baggage claim area at Nashville International Airport.
– City: Nashville, Tennessee
– Total flights from September 2022 to August 2023: 94,327
– Percent of flights delayed at least 15 minutes: 21.6%
– Median minutes delayed: 15
– Most common destinations: LGA, ORD, CLT
Austin Deppe // Shutterstock
#13. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International
Various aircraft taxiing for departure at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
– City: Atlanta, Georgia
– Total flights from September 2022 to August 2023: 330,268
– Percent of flights delayed at least 15 minutes: 22.0%
– Median minutes delayed: 17
– Most common destinations: MCO, LGA, FLL
Kate Scott // Shutterstock
#12. Phoenix Sky Harbor International
Ground operations at Phoenix Sky Harbor.
– City: Phoenix, Arizona
– Total flights from September 2022 to August 2023: 171,771
– Percent of flights delayed at least 15 minutes: 22.4%
– Median minutes delayed: 15
– Most common destinations: DEN, LAS, SEA
Leena Robinson // Shutterstock
#11. Logan International
View of the exterior of Logan International Airport.
– City: Boston, Massachusetts
– Total flights from September 2022 to August 2023: 141,691
– Percent of flights delayed at least 15 minutes: 22.5%
– Median minutes delayed: 21
– Most common destinations: DCA, LGA, JFK
stock_photo_world // Shutterstock
#10. Austin – Bergstrom International
Travelers walk through an airport terminal at the Bergstrom International airport.
– City: Austin, Texas
– Total flights from September 2022 to August 2023: 91,862
– Percent of flights delayed at least 15 minutes: 22.6%
– Median minutes delayed: 17
– Most common destinations: DFW, DEN, LAX
JW_PNW // Shutterstock
#9. George Bush Intercontinental/Houston
Passengers check-in at the Terminal D ticketing hall at George Bush Houston Intercontinental Airport.
– City: Houston, Texas
– Total flights from September 2022 to August 2023: 139,511
– Percent of flights delayed at least 15 minutes: 23.7%
– Median minutes delayed: 18
– Most common destinations: DFW, LAX, DEN
Kate Scott // Shutterstock
#8. John F. Kennedy International
Delta planes and ground operations at JFK Airport.
– City: New York, New York
– Total flights from September 2022 to August 2023: 136,057
– Percent of flights delayed at least 15 minutes: 24.3%
– Median minutes delayed: 23
– Most common destinations: LAX, SFO, BOS
JW_PNW // Shutterstock
#7. Dallas/Fort Worth International
Passengers prepare to board a flight at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
– City: Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
– Total flights from September 2022 to August 2023: 279,358
– Percent of flights delayed at least 15 minutes: 25.1%
– Median minutes delayed: 23
– Most common destinations: LAX, ATL, LGA
EQRoy // Shutterstock
#6. Newark Liberty International
Aerial view of Newark Liberty International Airport.
– City: Newark, New Jersey
– Total flights from September 2022 to August 2023: 144,038
– Percent of flights delayed at least 15 minutes: 25.9%
– Median minutes delayed: 20
– Most common destinations: MCO, ATL, LAX
EQRoy // Shutterstock
#5. Miami International
Curbside view of the Miami International Airport.
– City: Miami, Florida
– Total flights from September 2022 to August 2023: 100,401
– Percent of flights delayed at least 15 minutes: 26.6%
– Median minutes delayed: 21
– Most common destinations: ATL, JFK, LGA
Kit Leong // Shutterstock
#4. Harry Reid International
Afternoon view of Spirit airline airplane and the strip and Harry Reid International Airport.
– City: Las Vegas, Nevada
– Total flights from September 2022 to August 2023: 187,617
– Percent of flights delayed at least 15 minutes: 29.1%
– Median minutes delayed: 18
– Most common destinations: LAX, DEN, SEA
Framalicious // Shutterstock
#3. Denver International
Inside the Denver International airport on the ground level at C-Gates.
– City: Denver, Colorado
– Total flights from September 2022 to August 2023: 288,782
– Percent of flights delayed at least 15 minutes: 29.3%
– Median minutes delayed: 16
– Most common destinations: LAS, PHX, SLC
Adam McCullough // Shutterstock
#2. Orlando International
Passengers wait at a gate at Orlando International Airport for a delayed flight.
– City: Orlando, Florida
– Total flights from September 2022 to August 2023: 158,419
– Percent of flights delayed at least 15 minutes: 30.3%
– Median minutes delayed: 22
– Most common destinations: ATL, EWR, SJU
Kate Scott // Shutterstock
#1. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall
Ground operations at BWI Airport.
– City: Baltimore, Maryland
– Total flights from September 2022 to August 2023: 92,636
– Percent of flights delayed at least 15 minutes: 31.2%
– Median minutes delayed: 16
– Most common destinations: ATL, MCO, BOS
Story editing by Jaimie Etkin. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Photo selection by Clarese Moller.
This story originally appeared on TravelPerk and was produced and
distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
