Weather is the largest disruptor of air travel, according to the Federal Aviation Agency. In fact, 75 percent of all delays are caused by weather, with congestion and mechanical problems being the second and third largest causes of delays. Now, a new report is here to spotlight which airports are more punctual than others.
The Weather Group analyzed data from the U.S. Department of Transportation — from September 2022 through August 2023 — to find there were 385,367 weather-delayed arrivals. “That’s the equivalent of over 51 years of weather delays. Most were vulnerable to snowstorms, but it doesn’t take a big storm to trigger flight delays,” the Weather Group told Travel + Leisure.
The airport most vulnerable to delays is Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in Newark, New Jersey.
The top 10 airports that suffered the most weather-related delays are:
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
- New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
- George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport (IAH)
For travelers looking to avoid delays this holiday season, Travel + Leisure previously reported on expert tips such as opting for early morning flights instead of afternoon or evening departures. Experts also recommended booking nonstop flights instead of those with connections.