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The 15 Most Delay-Prone Airports in the US

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You’ve probably experienced it before; when you’re ready to go on your next adventure, the dreaded news of a delay hits. While some airports handle the situation smoothly, others leave travelers frustrated and waiting. These 15 U.S. airports rank top in delays.

Provo Airport – Provo, Utah

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A study conducted by Places to Travel reveals that Provo Airport has the highest average delay time, totaling 1 hour, 42 minutes, and 31 seconds. Despite handling fewer flights than larger airports, Provo has earned the reputation of being the most delay-prone regarding average wait time.

Orlando Sanford International Airport – Sanford, Florida

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Delays at Orlando Sanford total 259,681 minutes, which affects about 28% of all arriving flights. Despite serving as an alternative to the larger Orlando International, frequent thunderstorms in the region contribute to the high delay rates at this airport.

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport – Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas

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Dallas-Fort Worth International (DFW) has an average delay of 1 hour and 29 minutes. This puts it high on the list. With 66,105 delayed flights, DFW remains one of the busiest airports. Weather conditions like thunderstorms and snow play a major role in causing delays, as reported by AirHelp.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport – Charlotte, North Carolina

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Managing delays is challenging at Charlotte Douglas International, primarily due to its role as a hub for American Airlines. Over the observation period from January 2023 to February 2024 by Places to Travel, Charlotte experienced 40,963 delayed flights, with an average delay of 1 hour and 28 minutes.

Philadelphia International Airport – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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As a key regional hub, Philadelphia’s location leads to air traffic congestion, further impacting flight schedules. Philadelphia International Airport records an average delay of 1 hour and 26 minutes. With 20,813 delayed flights, it is one of the top airports for delays on the East Coast.

John F. Kennedy International Airport – New York City, New York

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The average flight hold-up time at JFK, one of the largest airports in the US, is 1 hour and 24 minutes. This airport is heavily impacted by New York’s congested airspace and experienced delays in 32,815 flights, which hints at the challenges of managing such a massive international hub.

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport – Clearwater, Florida

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St. Pete-Clearwater’s issues stem largely from weather and its role as a regional hub. The International airport averaged a delay of 83 minutes, with 1,905 flights delayed. While the number of delayed flights is smaller than that of larger airports, weather is a common cause.

Montgomery Regional Airport – Montgomery, Alabama

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Montgomery Regional Airport recorded an average delay time of 1 hour and 23 minutes in Alabama, with 404 flights delayed during the observation period. Though the number of delayed flights is low, the lengthy delays significantly impact passengers, often due to weather and operational limitations.

Punta Gorda Airport – Punta Gorda, Florida

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Over the 13-month observation period by Places to Travel, Punta Gorda Airport reported a total of 1,898 flights delayed, averaging 1 hour and 23 minutes per delay. Budget airlines’ tight schedules and unpredictable weather in Florida contribute to frequent disruptions and holdbacks.

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport – Mesa, Arizona

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Waiting time at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport totaled 1,421, with heat-related issues and air traffic congestion being major factors. Even though it is a secondary option to Phoenix Sky Harbor, the airport ranks among the top for delays due to challenging weather conditions and congestion.

Trenton-Mercer Airport – Trenton, New Jersey

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Despite its smaller size, Trenton-Mercer Airport still averaged a delay time of 1 hour and 21 minutes, as highlighted by Place to Travel. The airport’s proximity to New York’s airspace often leads to traffic congestion and causes scheduling disruptions and delays for its recorded 728 affected flights.

Nantucket Memorial Airport– Nantucket, Massachusetts

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Weather significantly affects the delays experienced at the Nantucket Memorial Airport, especially during winter. Located on an island, this smaller airport saw 371 delayed flights during the recorded period. Limited infrastructure and fewer flight options also make it challenging to manage disruptions effectively.

Quad Cities International Airport – Moline, Illinois

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Serving Illinois and Iowa,  Quad Cities International logs an average delay of 1 hour and 20 minutes, with 643 flights affected. Seasonal weather, particularly winter storms, is a major cause. The airport’s ranking is driven by the length of delays rather than the volume of affected flights.

Lehigh Valley International Airport – Allentown, Pennsylvania

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A total of 75,682 delay minutes were recorded at Lehigh Valley International, which experienced 952 delayed flights during the 13-month observation period. Despite serving a smaller number of passengers compared to larger hubs, the delays experienced by users are significant enough to disrupt travel plans.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport – Chicago, Illinois

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At Chicago O’Hare International, delays average 1 hour and 19 minutes, affecting 54,320 flights. O’Hare Airport’s high volume of domestic and international flights poses considerable challenges in terms of disruption management and delay prevention.

Written by Ian Bronson

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