How to Dodge Flight Delays

By
Nikki Ekstein
Nikki Ekstein
Nikki Ekstein is the travel editor at Bloomberg Pursuits and the former travel news editor at Travel + Leisure.
Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
Published on October 14, 2015
flight delays
Photo: Getty Images

Avoiding wasted hours at the terminal or on the tarmac isn’t just a matter of luck. T+L has teamed up with the data experts at FiveThirtyEight.com to give you the intel you need to make wiser choices about which flights to book and which to be wary of.

Flight delays infographic - United States
Catalogtree
Flight delays infographic
Catalogtree

Don't see your hometown? Visit projects.fivethirtyeight.com/flights for coast-to-coast delays data.

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles
Aerial view of airplanes at an airport and runway
These Expert Booking Tips Will Help Travelers Avoid Flight Delays
The black sand beach of Waianapanapa State Park on Maui
How to Plan the Perfect Multi-island Trip to Hawaii
Cruise ship in the bay, Gialos, Symi, Greece
21 Cruise Tips That Will Help Make Your Trip Even Better, According to Experts
Airplane seat in first class cabin
The Best Time to Ask for a Flight Upgrade, According to Flight Attendants
Young adult sleeps during air travel on commercial plane with headphones in
The Secrets to Beating Jet Lag, According to a NASA Astronaut
Woman walking alone with suitcase in Barcelona, Spain
10 Mistakes to Avoid When Traveling Alone
A passenger waiting for flight with scenic mountain view
The Best Day to Score Cheap Flights — and When to Book to Avoid Cancellations, According to New Data
People using smartphone on Barcelona street, Spain
11 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid on Your First Trip to Europe
Curling at TWA Hotel
You Can Now Go Curling on the Tarmac at This NYC Airport — Here’s How
A flight status board at Orlando International Airport shows a few of the hundreds of flights cancelled
The Airlines With the Most Delays This Year, According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics
Best Laptops for Travel
The 7 Best Laptops for Travel of 2023
An American Eagle plane taxis during a snow storm at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Thousands of Flights Delayed, Canceled as Storms Disrupt Holiday Travel — What to Know
Father and son setting up tent above alpine lake during backpacking trip in rain
10 Mistakes to Avoid on Your First Camping Trip, According to Experts
Crowded gate waiting area
This Lawyer's Trick for Making Money When You're Bumped From a Flight Went Viral on TikTok
Aerial view of luxury yacht anchored in the transparent sea of the Formentera island in Spain.
The 5 Biggest Mistakes to Avoid When Booking a Yacht Trip, According to an Expert
A mature couple walk up the entrance of a luxury villa
How to Make More Money Renting Out Your Home, According to Airbnb Superhosts