Memorial Day Travel: Which Airlines Have the Most Flight Delays and Cancellations?

If you are planning to fly throughout Memorial Day weekend, prepare for crowded airport gates and aircraft cabins. According to AAA, a report 45 million Americans are anticipated to journey not less than 50 miles from dwelling through the lengthy weekend, and over 3.6 million are flying. Even when you’ve got your Real ID, you would nonetheless run into sudden delays. 

Recent developments aren’t so encouraging: In 2024, flight delays have been unusually excessive, with on-time arrival percentages dropping from February to December for 9 out of 10 main US airways, in keeping with the newest information from the US Department of Transportation. Released in March 2025, the brand new information reveals that solely Hawaiian Airlines (serving the fewest airports among the many Top 10 carriers) averaged greater than 83.6% on-time arrivals in December.

The excellent news: In 2025, in case your flight will get canceled, you are entitled to a full money refund. Last 12 months, the Biden administration declared that airways should “promptly” present automated money refunds when flights are canceled. 

For extra tips about air journey, take a look at our final summer season journey guidelines and the following tips for saving cash on aircraft tickets. Plus, study find out how to use AI to plan for journey.

Which airways have the best charges of delays and cancellations?

Airlines’ monitor data for getting passengers to their locations on time range from month to month. In December 2024, Hawaiian Airlines had the best share of on-time arrivals — 83.6% — in keeping with the Department of Transportation’s February 2025 Air Travel Consumer Report.

The identical report famous that Southwest Airlines had the bottom variety of canceled flights, at 0.83%, whereas Frontier Airlines had the best variety of cancellations, 2.32%.

Here are the chances of on-time arrivals for the foremost US airways, in keeping with the DOT.

As talked about, these percentages range from month to month. You can lookup historic stories on the DOT’s web site.

Avoiding flight delays is not only a matter of selecting one airline over one other. With some cautious planning, you possibly can keep away from the complications and get to your vacation spot on time, or in any case, give your self the perfect probability for doing so. Read on to learn to keep away from flight delays in your subsequent journey by air, in addition to the perfect and worst airports for on-time arrivals.

1. Don’t fly too early or too late

You can anticipate airports to be busier at sure occasions of the day. Flights begin to again up round 3 p.m., and flights departing after that point have a 50% increased probability of being canceled.

However, you additionally do not need to fly too early when you can keep away from it. Airports are typically busiest within the early morning, from 5 to eight a.m., so you may most likely spend extra time ready in TSA strains throughout these hours. If you need to keep away from crowds and you’ve got a versatile schedule, attempt to guide a noon flight, a little bit earlier than or after midday. 

A layover will make a protracted journey even longer. Layovers can last as long as 4 hours for home flights, and as much as 24 hours for worldwide flights. 

While it’s possible you’ll avoid wasting money by reserving a flight that features an additional cease, you would possibly find yourself regretting it when your connecting flight will get delayed. By reserving a nonstop flight, you may spend much less time in airports and get to your vacation spot earlier. You would possibly find yourself paying lower than you anticipate when you guide your flight early.

3. Install your airline’s app in your telephone

Most airways supply a cell app that permits you to verify in to your flight forward of time. Usually this function is obtainable 24 hours earlier than the aircraft takes off, which suggests it can save you time by finishing this step at dwelling. Plus, you’ll monitor the standing of your flight and reschedule in case the flight is delayed or canceled.

4. Check the climate early, at each airports

Bad climate is the reason for 75% of flight delays. The quantity can range relying on town and the time of 12 months, however it’s at all times a good suggestion to verify the climate just a few days earlier than your flight. Make positive you verify each town you are flying from and town you are flying to. 

For occasion, perhaps a good friend is selecting you up at your vacation spot, and also you’re anticipating a storm if you arrive. You can plan accordingly, and save a few of your good friend’s time by telling them to come back to the airport later.

5. Don’t verify luggage

Not solely are checked luggage turning into costlier, however they’re one other potential supply of delays. You must spend just a few further minutes getting your further baggage checked in earlier than your flight, and also you would possibly spend so much longer ready for it to come back off the bags carousel. 

You can keep away from these further steps when you handle to pack every part into your carry-on bag and private merchandise. This approach, you may have one much less factor to fret about if you attain your vacation spot. Plus, it is at all times good to journey lighter.

The US has a few of the world’s largest airports, with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International topping the record. In 2023, an estimated 104.6 million folks handed by means of Hartsfield-Jackson. Dallas/Fort Worth International had virtually 82 million passengers, and Los Angeles International had 75 million.

If you are flying out of Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia Airport, or JFK International, your flight is extra more likely to be delayed due to climate. Data from the Federal Aviation Administration reveals that airports within the New York City space collectively expertise twice as many delays in comparison with the second metropolis on the record (Chicago). Delays are worst in April, May, and June. 

And when you’re flying wherever in Florida, take care to arrange for delays. Six of the highest 10 worst US airports for delays might be discovered within the Sunshine State.

Here are the US airports with the bottom and highest share of flight delays in 2024, in keeping with InsureMyTrip.

7. Know your rights in relation to flight refunds

If it involves the worst and your flight is canceled, understand that you will get a money refund. According to the US Department of Transportation, you are entitled to a full refund in case your flight is canceled — “whatever the motive” — or considerably delayed. The new coverage to assist shield shoppers from shock airline charges went into impact in August 2024.

In some instances, you too can get a partial refund on the price of your ticket. If your seat is downgraded or you do not get the companies you paid for prematurely, equivalent to in-flight Wi-Fi, you need to be refunded the distinction.

If your flight is canceled and the airline refuses to present you a refund, the DOT recommends you file an official grievance with the federal authorities. You’ll want to supply some primary private data like your mailing handle, plus flight particulars (together with your flight quantity when you’ve got it) and an outline of what occurred when your flight was canceled.

For extra journey ideas, examine find out how to pack a carry-on with out inflicting TSA hassles and 5 nice devices to maintain you linked if you’re on the go.