The 5 Worst US Airports For Flight Delays: Ranking LAX, EWR, ORD, DFW And SFO

Zinger Key Points
  • Delays are the norm at major hubs for both United Airlines and American Airlines.
  • In 2020, one airport saw the worst-ever delays, with an average of 2.15 hours of delay per flight.

Air travel is often subject to delays. This was especially the case in late 2022. Recall how Southwest Airlines Co. LUV canceled more than 13,000 flights leaving thousands of customers and employees stranded at airports.

Indeed, this can be a major source of frustration and stress. And delays can be caused by a variety of factors, from weather to air traffic congestion.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the five U.S. airports with the most delays, using data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics and other sources.

See Also: Southwest Goes Sideways - Should CEO Resign? Benzinga Twitter Followers Chime In

5. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the seventh-busiest airport in the U.S., is a major hub for the entire West Coast and a main hub for United Airlines Holdings Inc UAL. In 2019, it had an average of 1.39 hours of delay per flight.

4. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the second-busiest airport in the U.S., and its delays are among the worst in the country. In 2019, the airport had an average of 1.48 hours of delay per flight.

3. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is the busiest airport in the New York City area, serving over 43 million passengers in 2019. In that year, the airport had an average of 1.49 hours of delay per flight.

2. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) In 2019, it had an average of 1.54 hours of delay per flight—the second-highest rate among the top 30 U.S. airports. DFW is the fourth-busiest airport in the U.S. and the world, and a hub for American Airlines Group Inc AAL.

1. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) had the highest rate of delays in 2019 among the top 30 airports in the U.S., with an average of 1.77 hours of delay per flight. By 2020, the airport saw its worst-ever delays, with an average of 2.15 hours of delay per flight.

Next: $1000 Invested In Southwest Airlines 10 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

Image: Shutterstock

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Posted In: NewsEducationTravelTop StoriesGeneralAirlinesChicago O'HareIndustrialsLos Angeles International Airportnewark liberty international airportSan Francisco International Airport
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