Summer flights represent an outsize percentage of cancellations
The bags are packed, the car is parked, and you’ve made it through the security lines. But is your flight taking off on time? During the busy summer travel season, the earlier the flight, the better chance the answer to that question will be yes.
Summer flights bring an increased risk of delays and cancellations compared to the rest of the year. Across the country, from June to August 2024, 72% of flights departed on time, compared to 80% throughout the rest of 2024, according to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation. And while June through August flights made up just over a quarter of 2024’s total flights, they accounted for 33% of all delays and 40% of all cancellations.
Early flights are more likely to depart as scheduled. Across the country last year, flights from June through August in the 6 a.m. hour had just a 1-in-9 chance of being delayed or canceled. By the 10 a.m. hour, those odds jump to 1-in-5; by 3 p.m., flights had a whopping 1-in-3 chance of being delayed or canceled. The odds of delay or cancellation only increase into the evening hours.
“Any travelers concerned about the potential for delays and cancellations are best served by choosing flights earlier in the day, which are most likely to take off on time,” said Jillian Young, director of public relations for AAA Northeast. “Travelers should prepare by signing up for text alerts and downloading apps for the airline they’ve booked and an alternative airline, as that can be the quickest way to rebook if needed.”
State-specific airport data:
Connecticut: At Bradley International Airport, 80% of flights took off on time in 2024. In June, July and August, that average dropped to just under 73%. And in 2024, flights during those three months accounted for almost half of cancellations for the entire year.
Massachusetts: At Boston Logan International Airport, 79% of flights took off on time in 2024. In June, July and August, that average dropped to approximately 72%. And in 2024, flights during those three months accounted for over half of cancellations for the entire year.
During the 2024 summer travel season, roughly 85% of flights between 6 and 9 a.m. took off on schedule at Logan, compared to approximately 53% of flights between 6 and 9 p.m.
At Worcester’s Regional Airport, 75% of flights took off on time in 2024. In June, July and August, that average dropped to just under 69%. And in 2024, flights during those three months accounted for over 40% of cancellations for the entire year.
New Jersey: At Newark Liberty International Airport, approximately 76% of flights departed on time in 2024. In June, July and August, that average dropped to 68%. And flights during those three months accounted for over 53% of cancellations for the entire year.
During the 2024 summer travel season, roughly 83% of flights between 6 and 9 a.m. took off on schedule, compared to less than 50% of flights between 6 and 9 p.m.
New York: Across New York City area airports, delays and cancellations increase in the summer, with most delays occurring later in the day compared to early morning. Flights in June, July, and August accounted for an outsize portion of cancellations for the entire year: nearly 65% at JFK, over 60% at LaGuardia, 53% at Newark, 57% at Stewart, 39% at Westchester and 38% at MacArthur.
Percentage of Flights Departing on Time for June, July and August 2024 | ||
Airport | 6–9 a.m. | 6–9 p.m. |
JFK | ~84% | ~53% |
LaGuardia | ~86% | ~56% |
Newark | ~83% | ~49% |
At Syracuse Hancock International Airport, about 82% of flights took off on time in 2024. In June, July and August, that average dropped to about 76%. And flights during those three months accounted for just over 60% of cancellations for the entire year.
Rhode Island: At Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport, about 82% of flights took off on time in 2024. In June, July and August, that average dropped to roughly 75%. And flights during those three months accounted for just over 41% of cancellations for the entire year.