ForumsShop Talk

This Question is Answered

2 "helpful" answers available (4 pts)
Post a new topic
4 Replies Last post: Nov 9, 2008 2:46 PM by Mongoose

Airports with the worst travel delays?

Nov 7, 2008 2:27 PM

Click to view Howard's profile Mogul Howard 80 posts since
Jul 29, 2008
I am planning a holiday over to the East Coast and may opt to do a layover to save money. I am debating between which airport to transfer in, as there are multiple options. Is there a website that lists the U.S. airports and average on-timeschedule /average time delayed?
Report as inappropriate
Click to view DomainDiva's profile Mogul DomainDiva 1,727 posts since
Oct 10, 2007
1. Re: Airports with the worst travel delays? Nov 7, 2008 2:47 PM
During the holidays it's not the airport, BIG travel delays will be due to weather. Delays are caused by weather, maintenance issues, TSA problems and aircraft stacked in line waiting to take off. This can hit any airport at any time. If an airline has problems early in the day with maintenance issues then the rest of the day is pretty much shot.
Click to view Lighthouse24's profile Mogul Lighthouse24 2,396 posts since
Oct 10, 2007
2. Re: Airports with the worst travel delays? Nov 7, 2008 2:50 PM

Most delays result from weather, equipment/crew availability, security issues, and airport construction. You may be able to avoid airports with major construction and improve your chances, but those other factors are really day-to-day things. Also, certain airlines in certain airports may perform much better or much worse than the overall average for all of that airport's arrivals and departures. So I'm not sure how much historical data would help you (or where you could get it broken down in a way that would be useful).

For real time info (where the trouble spots are right now), you can see the FAA's Operational Information System:

http://www.fly.faa.gov/ois/

Maybe watching that for a few days would alert you to the chronic problem areas. Happy trails . . .

Click to view Howard's profile Mogul Howard 80 posts since
Jul 29, 2008
3. Re: Airports with the worst travel delays? Nov 9, 2008 11:31 AM
Thanks for the helpful web references.
Click to view Mongoose's profile Mogul Mongoose 270 posts since
Nov 2, 2008
4. Re: Airports with the worst travel delays? Nov 9, 2008 3:03 PM
Most of my advice comes from personal experiences or experiences of friends. The worst delays are infact during weather systems or special events happening where you lay over. One of my friends, who was attending a convention with me, was stuck in Pittsburgh for 3 days due to the sheer amount of outgoing traffic to other places, and inavailablity of seats as well as a huge storm system where he was going (Denver). Another friend of mine was flying for LaGuardia to Atlanta, and her flight was cancelled due to snow in NY, and tornados in Georgia. Around this time of year, I dread any air travel that would touch around the upper states (O'Hare, LaGuardia, etc...) due to the frequency of snow/ice and the holiday season.

There was an article in Forbes explaining the WORST airports, so I can't answer your question of averages, but I can at least warn you of what to avoid when you decide to have your holiday. Here's the URL: http://www.forbes.com/2008/06/02/aviation-travel-delays-biz-logistics-cx_rr_0603travel.html

Have a safe trip, and have a happy holiday! :)