A new study reveals which airports in America have the worst flight delays. And if you’re flying to Florida, you’re out of luck.
This summer was plagued by flight delays and cancellations due to a faulty update from software company CrowdStrike, which caused massive outages for Microsoft worldwide.
Major airlines faced significant flight disruptions on Wednesday, with American Airlines topping the list with 69 cancellations. Delta, United and Spirit also grounded more than 20 flights each, according to USA TODAY.
Business SMS platform Essendex analyzed more than 500 of the most common flight routes at the country’s 25 busiest airports to identify the best and worst routes for flight delays.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) has been listed as one of the most delayed flight routes more often than any other airport.
A new study has revealed America’s worst airports for flight delays — and you’re out of luck if you’re flying to Florida
Business SMS platform Essendex analyzed more than 500 of the most common flight routes at the country’s 25 busiest airports to identify the best and worst routes for flight delays
In second place is Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), followed by Miami International Airport (MIA), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
“Orlando International Airport has faced significant challenges in recent months due to storms causing flight cancellations, on top of already busy conditions due to crowds flowing in and out of the airport at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios,” the study said.
“The data showed that planes from Orlando arrived at their destinations an average of four minutes late, with 14 of the 100 most delayed flights arriving or departing from Orlando.”
Surprisingly, the most delayed flight route was from Orlando to Philadelphia, with an average delay of 35 minutes. However, the return flight typically arrives 22 minutes ahead of schedule.
“With more than 100 domestic and 50 international destinations, Orlando welcomed more than 57.7 million passengers in 2023, making it the busiest airport in the state of Florida,” the study said.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) appeared on the list of flight routes with the most delays more often than any other airport
Major airlines faced significant flight disruptions Wednesday due to the IT outage, with American Airlines leading the list with 69 cancellations. Delta, United and Spirit also grounded more than 20 flights each
The recent airline disruptions have had a significant impact on flight schedules, making it difficult to determine which airlines are currently experiencing the most delays and cancellations. However, the Essendex study, conducted prior to this disruption, identified JetBlue as the airline with the highest percentage of delays.
“JetBlue Airways stands out as the only U.S. airline with flights that arrive delayed on average, despite data showing a minimum average delay of one minute,” the study said.
“This coincides with JetBlue being named the worst airline in the U.S. by the Wall Street Journal for the second year in a row, due to extreme delays, frequent cancellations and two-hour runway waits.”
While other airlines struggled with delays, Delta ironically stood out as the airline with the best punctuality. However, after the disruption, it has become the airline with the most cancelled flights and the second most delayed flights this week.
“Delta Air Lines is outperforming on all fronts, with flights arriving an average of 25 minutes ahead of schedule,” the study found.
While other airlines struggled with delays, Delta ironically stood out as the airline with the best punctuality.
While Orlando International is noted in the study as the airport with the most delays, it is not among the airports facing the most disruptions this week.
ATL ranks first for most flight delays this week. DFW comes in second, followed by Charlotte Douglas International (CLT), Denver International Airport (DIA), Chicago O’Hare International (ORD).
Of the airports with the most flight cancellations this week, Hartsfield-Jackson International still ranks first, followed by Minneapolis-Saint Paul International, Detroit Metro Wayne Co, LaGuardia and Charlotte Douglas International.