The Best and Worst US Airports for Summer Flight Delays

The Most and Least Punctual Airports Right Now
A spike in travel demand compounded by airline staffing shortages has resulted in almost routine flight delays and cancellations. With the busy summer travel season in full swing, officials are meeting with airlines to find a fix and experts are warning that the travel headaches are likely only to worsen through the summer. Air passenger rights company AirHelp recently analyzed “on-time performance” at U.S. airports operating at least 100,000-plus flights in 2021 to determine which fare the best and worst when it comes to schedule disruptions. Looking at those rankings as well as the latest on-time departure and cancellation rate data from digital flight information provider OAG, we can highlight some of the airports to potentially target and to perhaps avoid this summer.

Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
A hub for Delta Air Lines and Sun Country Airlines, Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport is one of the best when it comes to recent punctuality. According to OAG, more than four out of five flights departing MSP did so on time during May 2022. What’s more, just 1.5 percent of the 11,663 flights from MSP were canceled last month.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
Elsewhere in the Midwest, another Delta hub, Michigan’s Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport turned in an equally impressive on-time departure percentage of 80 percent in May 2022. Fewer than 2 percent of flights from DTW were canceled last month, which is more good news for summer travelers flying out of Detroit.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Despite operating a whopping 13,340 flights in May 2022, San Francisco International Airport posted a cancellation rate of just 1.2 percent, according to OAG. Those scheduled flights from SFO departed on time more than 79 percent of the time as well.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport continues to be among the nation’s most reliable despite being one of the busiest in the world. ATL lagged behind MSP, DTW and SFO in terms of on-time percentage last month (77.4 percent) but nonetheless canceled flights just 1.8 percent of the time despite operating more than 33,000 flights over the course of May 2022.

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
Yet another Delta hub that has excelled at staying on schedule of late, Utah’s Salt Lake City International Airport saw flights take off on time more than 84 percent of the time last month. SLC, which operated just under 9,600 flights in May 2022, also fared well for cancellations at a rate of just 1.3 percent.

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Newark Liberty International Airport just outside of New York City continues to be among the hardest hit when it comes to flight disruptions this summer. EWR posted a dismal on-time departure rate of just 57 percent in May 2022. Additionally, the airport’s cancellation rate reached 5.7 percent for the month. That’s significant seeing as the airport operated close to 17,800 flights over that period.

Denver International Airport (DEN)
A hub for carriers such as United Airlines and Frontier Airlines, Denver International Airport is one of the busiest in the world and has some work to do when it comes to on-time performance, remaining on schedule roughly three-quarters of the time last month. Nonetheless, DEN’s cancellation rate was just 1.4 percent for May 2022.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
Florida’s Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport operated just over 10,000 flights last month and turned in an on-time departure rate of 70.1 percent. FLL’s cancellation rate of 2 percent for May 2022 could also inspire travelers flying out of South Florida to target a different airport such as Miami or West Palm Beach.

Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
A focus city for a handful of airlines, including Frontier, Southwest Airlines and Spirit Airlines, Las Vegas’ newly named Harry Reid International Airport has experienced its fair share of schedule struggles recently, seeing its flights off on time just 70.8 percent of the time last month.

Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Orlando International Airport is one of the busier airports in the country this time of year as travelers head to Central Florida to experience Walt Disney World and the region’s other world-class theme parks. Unfortunately, MCO isn’t the most reliable after posting an on-time departure rate of just 69.7 percent last month, according to OAG.