This Airport Was Just Named the Worst in the U.S. for Flight Delays

A flight delay could be a traveler’s worst nightmare, and a new report revealed some airports are more delay-prone than others. 

The worst offender for on-time departures of major airports across the United States was Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), which had an on-time charge of just 71.1 %, according to 2025 Bureau of Transportation Statistics from January through May. DFW is a repeat offender, having ranked as the worst major airport for on-time departures during the same time period last yr.

Passengers on the East Coast might want to pack their persistence if they’re touring through Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) since the hub did not fare a lot better with an on-time departure charge of just 72 %. Denver International Airport (DEN) got here in third with a 75.3 % on-time departure charge, adopted by Miami International Airport (MIA) with a 75.7 % on-time departure charge. The world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), got here in as the fifth worst with an on-time departure charge of just 76.1 %.

Travelers who worth being on time might want to look west as three common West Coast airports have been the most punctual in the nation.

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) boasted the highest on-time departure charge with more than 84 % of all flights departing on schedule. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) ranked second thanks to an on-time departure charge of 83.9 %, while San Francisco International Airport (SFO) took the third spot on the record with an on-time departure charge of 82.4 %. Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)—which got here out on top during the same time period last yr—took the fourth spot with an on-time departure charge of 81.9 %. 

For all airports, the average on-time arrival efficiency was 78.1 %, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

When it got here to delays, the main trigger for maintain ups was an plane arriving late, which might create a detrimental cascading impact on a provider’s schedule. Extreme climate accounted for just 0.85 % of all nationwide delays during the survey period, while cancelled or diverted flights accounted for 1.7 % of all delays.

To keep away from delays and decrease journey complications, specialists suggest prioritizing early morning flights, flying nonstop slightly than reserving a layover, deciding on bigger airports (with a number of connections), and researching an airline’s on-time monitor document. To keep on top of potential journey disruptions, passengers can also obtain a provider’s cellular machine in advance of their flight and register for notifications of delays or cancellations.

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