The Holiday season is around the corner, and many may have already started packing their bags for a holiday or a visit to their hometown if they work elsewhere. The first step in planning a vacation is booking the flights as soon as possible. However, in the United States, people sometimes face harsh flight delays and even cancellations due to bad weather, which can ruin their holiday experience.
To help visitors choose the best travel gateways, studies have identified five U.S. airports that have historically faced the highest weather-related flight delays. According to research by travel company Upgraded Points, San Francisco International Airport ranks number one among 60 busy U.S. airports for weather-related flight delays. The research suggests that SFO has classified 40.3 percent of its flight delays between November and January as weather-related.
New York’s LaGuardia Airport is next, with 38.9 percent weather-related delays. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport ranks third with 32.8 percent weather-related delays, and Newark Liberty International Airport and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport round out the top five.
What month records the highest share of weather-related delays?
Travelers might also be wondering which month sees the most flight delays. The five-year study found that December has the most flight-related delays. Around 23.6 percent of delayed flights were attributed to weather in December, compared with 22.6 percent in January.
However, you can still lower the risk of cancellation by choosing the right flight. Alaska Airlines had the highest weather-related delays among the nine, at 27.8 percent, followed by United Airlines at 25.4 percent. Hawaiian Airlines had the lowest rate at 7.9 percent.
While this study is based on historical data, always check the airline’s official site and the weather forecast before penciling a trip. That said, what are your holiday plans, and if you’re flying out, which flight have you chosen to reach your destination? Leave a comment below, and stay tuned to Travel to Recover for more trending content.
