Our top tips for navigating summer flight delays…

Flight delays and cancelations can really kill the vibe right at the start of a trip. Use these insights and tips to save your summer.

Good-ish news: US airports didn’t really get worse at delays last year. But they didn’t get better either.

In 2024, travelers experienced 2% more delays than the year before. Not ideal – but also not chaos.

So what now? You book smart, dodge the mess and keep moving. We’ve got the data. You bring the snacks.

Scroll on to see how to outmaneuver the madness.

Just so you know: Our analysis defines a flight as “delayed” if it departs 30+ minutes later than it was supposed to.

Fact #1:
The month and the day matters.

Not all months are created equal – especially when it comes to flight delays.

Based on our 2024 data, October’s your best bet for getting out of the US on time. Just 18% of flights were delayed. (We’ll take those odds.)

Summer? That’s when delays start doing their thing. July is the worst of the bunch. But even within summer, timing matters.

Thinking Fourth of July getaway? Fly on July 2 or 4 – fewer delays and cheaper fares. June 30, though? One in three flights ran late in 2024. Bring snacks. And patience.

Fact #2:
Cancelations and delays were pretty stable.

If you had a sneaking suspicion that more flights were delayed and canceled in 2024 than in 2023, you’d be half right. Canceled flights in all analyzed airports in the US in 2024 decreased by 0.2 percentage points – which translates to thousands fewer cancelations, while delays increased from 27% to 29%.

Fact #3:
The early bird gets the on-time flight.

Hate waking up early? Hate flight delays more? Time to choose your fighter.

Our 2024 data says early birds win this round. Flights between 5 and 8 am had the fewest delays – just 9-20%. Come evening, that number jumps to over 44%. Yikes.

Bonus: 5 am is one of the least searched times to fly, so you’ll likely score an empty middle seat too.

As for price? International flights are cheapest between 5 and 9 am and most expensive around lunchtime or 1 am (because who doesn’t love a red-eye and a markup).

But if you’re flying domestic and allergic to alarm clocks? You’re in luck. Later flights – like a 7 or 8 pm departure – are often cheaper. Sleep in. You’ve earned it.

Data shows that travelers who depart before 7 am have only a 9-15% chance of experiencing delays.

Fact #4:
Busier airports have more delays.

Turns out, smaller airports aren’t just easier to navigate – they’re also way better at being on time.

Our 2024 data shows that airports like Fresno and Palm Springs in California, plus Honolulu in Hawaii, had some of the fewest flight delays last year. Meanwhile, at JFK, nearly half of flights took off late. Newark? Not really better either, while delays are slightly less, the cancelation rate is even worse.* Yikes.

Least delayed routes
Flying from Boise to Portland or L.A. to Shanghai, China? Your chances of a delay are minimal. (Yes, really.)

Most delayed routes
Flying Newark to Dubai? JFK to Portugal? Newark to São Paulo? You’ve got up to a 90% chance of running late. That last one topped the list with an average delay of 86 minutes. Fashionably late, indeed.

*Based on 2024 data. Newark’s current mess? Not included here.

Fact #5:
Delays are the worst, especially on the way home.

It’s not scientifically proven, but we’re pretty sure: nothing kills a vacation high faster than being stuck in an airport.

So we crunched the numbers to help you dodge that particular buzzkill.

Last year, among America’s fave summer spots abroad, London Gatwick and Rome Fiumicino tied for the “most likely to leave you lingering” award – both had 57% of flights delayed. Rome also clocked the longest average delay at 39 minutes. Brutal.

On the flip side, Mexico City’s Felipe Ángeles and San Salvador’s El Salvador International averaged just 17-minute delays. And since our definition of “delayed” is 30+ minutes late, those barely even count. (Though maybe don’t try that logic on the cranky guy in 22B.)

Don’t delay – get more insights here.

Some delays are out of everyone’s hands – think fog, freezing temps, or someone in 18A missing their connection. But when the airline is at fault (like staffing issues or maintenance drama), you might be owed more than just a sorry.

Here’s the lowdown:

In Europe:

If you’re flying from or within the EU and get the bad news less than 12 hours before departure:

• 2+ hour delay: You’re owed food, drinks, Wi-Fi or call access, and a hotel if it’s an overnight wait (plus a ride there).
• 3+ hour delay or cancelation: All of the above plus compensation—€250 to €600 depending on your flight distance.
• 5+ hour delay: You can walk away from the whole thing and get a full refund. No strings attached.

In the US:

• Delays of 3+ hours (domestic) or 6+ hours (international): You’re entitled to cash back if you don’t accept the airline’s backup plan.
• Stuck on the tarmac for 2+ hours: You’re owed snacks and drinks while you wait.

Heads up: U.S. airlines aren’t required to cover meals or hotels during delays – but they might throw you a bone. Just don’t bank on it.

Get all the details here.

Methodology