Want to dramatically lower the risk of getting caught in the airport vortex? Timing is everything.
This trend plays out throughout the year, even during non-holiday periods. In July 2021 at the 30 largest airports in the United States, for example, roughly 85% to 90% of morning flights were on time. Comparatively, 65% to 70% of flights leaving between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. were delayed, according to the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection, which uses Bureau of Transportation Statistics and data from the Transportation Security Administration .
When FlightAware crunched flight data for Thanksgiving week over the past 10 years, it found a clear pattern of flight delays ramping up sharply as the day progressed. Flights scheduled to depart around 5 p.m. experienced the most delays of all. On the busiest days — the Tuesday before and Sunday after Thanksgiving — there were roughly 50% more delays for 5 p.m. departures compared to noon departures.
So how can travelers diminish the risk of getting sucked into the delayed-flight vortex? Set your alarm clock. “We recommend booking the earliest flight available, so you’re less likely to be impacted by delays from earlier in the day,” says Damodaran. “If you’re booked on an afternoon flight and some earlier flight gets disrupted, you’re likely getting disrupted, too.”
If you have a choice between airports, it can be smart to choose the smaller option. “Our data suggests that aside from whether the flight relies on earlier segments, the number of concurrent departing flights can also be a strong indicator of delays,” says Damodaran. “This is more likely on busier travel days at larger airports.”
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Here’s Why Zillow Stock Plunged 20%—And Why It Won’t Flip Houses AnymoreThe announcement came as part of Zillow’s third-quarter earnings report, which widely missed estimates.
Read more »
Here’s Why Millennials Are So Hesitant To Start Families — They Can’t Freaking Afford ThemHere’s Why Millennials Are So Hesitant To Start Families — They Can’t Freaking Afford Them “Millennials don't love skinny jeans, avocados, or designer coffee more than kids. We just want to be able to afford to raise them.”
Read more »
Guys and guns: Why men are behind the vast majority of America's gun violenceIs it just 'toxic masculinity' that makes men so often the perpetrators of gun violence? The real answer may be much more complex.
Read more »
The trucking industry is one of the most fragmented ones in the U.S. — here's whyThe trucking industry is a highly fragmented one, in part due to its low entry barriers. It can be a great way to start a business, but it is not an easy life.
Read more »
IDGAF If You Think It’s ‘Outdated’ — Why I’m Teaching My Kids CursiveIt's part of being a literate person.
Read more »
Why is U.S. customs law helping Amazon and China, and not U.S. manufacturers and retailers?OPINION: The de minimis customs rule allows Chinese producers to ship directly to consumers, thus avoiding U.S. tariffs, taxes and oversight, and giving them an unfair advantage over U.S. producers and retailers.
Read more »