The holiday season is indeed the best time of year for many, as they finally get the opportunity to travel and check off items on their bucket list. However, the worst thing that could happen at this time is a flight delay due to bad weather; it could ruin the entire trip by disrupting the itinerary, including hotel bookings, cabs, etc. Some airports have higher weather delay rates than others.
The travel and credit card website Upgraded Points studied Bureau of Transportation Statistics data from the last five holiday seasons, covering nine major airlines and the busiest US airports, and found the top five airports with the highest weather delay rates.
5 airports that have the highest weather delay rates
With 40.32 percent weather-related delays, the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) ranks highest on the weather delay rate list. The website revealed that fog is SFO’s main weather-related issue and causes the majority of delays.
New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) ranks second, with 38.91 percent of delays caused by weather. Upgraded Points noted that LGA also has a shorter runway than other nearby airports, which makes take-off and landing harder during bad weather.
At 32.79 percent, weather-related delays at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) take the next position, followed by New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) at 31.56 percent. Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport completes the list with 29.64 percent of delays attributed to weather.
List of airports with lowest weather delay rates
The travel site also shared a list of some US airports with the fewest weather-related flight delays during the travel season. According to Upgraded Points, the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has recorded the lowest weather-related flight delays among all 60 airports studied, with only 10.17 percent delays. Hawaii’s two airports also made the list.
At 11.45 percent, Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu ranks second, followed by Kahului Airport (OGG) at 12.44 percent of delays attributed to weather.
US airlines with the highest weather-related flight delays
Upgraded Points also examined weather-related flight delays across major US airlines. With 27.8 percent of delays attributable to weather issues, Alaska Airlines has recorded the highest share on the list.
United Airlines holds the second position, with 25.4 percent of its flight delays resulting from weather-related issues. Meanwhile, Hawaiian Airlines recorded the lowest share of weather-related delays among all airlines studied, at only 7.94 percent.
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