Are you looking to avoid the headache of a delayed or canceled flight this summer? While flight delays aren’t entirely avoidable, a new AAA Northeast analysis of federal aviation data provides a clue for on-time flying: book a morning flight — the earlier the better.
Summer flights bring an increased risk of delays and cancellations compared to the rest of the year. Across the country, 72% of flights departed on time from June to August 2025, compared to 78% throughout the rest of the year, according to data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). And while June through August flights made up just over a quarter of 2025’s total flights (26%), they accounted for 31% of all delays and 31% 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, and by 3 p.m., flights had a 1-in-3 chance of being delayed or canceled. The odds of delay or cancellation only increase into the evening hours as earlier delays ripple through the transportation network. The leading cause of flight delays is aircraft running late: more than 201,000 of the 525,000 delayed flights last summer were due to aircraft arriving behind schedule, according to BTS data.
The day of the week matters, too. The two busiest days of the week for flights, Sunday and Thursday, had the highest chance of delays and cancellations in the summer months. Saturdays and Tuesdays saw the least flights and, in turn, lower delay and cancellation rates.
| Day of Week | Total Flights | Delays | Delay Rate | Cancellations | Cancellation Rate |
| Sunday | 290,934 | 83,409 | 28.67% | 5,085 | 1.75% |
| Monday | 273,836 | 71,652 | 26.17% | 4,647 | 1.70% |
| Tuesday | 247,717 | 56,935 | 22.98% | 3,828 | 1.55% |
| Wednesday | 250,153 | 61,597 | 24.62% | 4,309 | 1.72% |
| Thursday | 274,477 | 76,582 | 27.90% | 5,462 | 1.99% |
| Friday | 269,711 | 72,864 | 27.02% | 4,501 | 1.67% |
| Saturday | 238,553 | 57,298 | 24.02% | 3,860 | 1.62% |
“Flight performance data clearly shows that booking earlier flights reduces the risk of encountering delays. It also shows that travelers with scheduling flexibility can choose less busy days of the week to not only avoid larger crowds but also improve their odds of boarding on time,” said Jillian Young, director of public relations for AAA Northeast. “Travelers should always sign up for text alerts and download apps for the airline they’ve booked to receive delay and cancellation updates as quickly as possible.”
Airport-Specific Data
At Connecticut’s Bradley International Airport, approximately 78% of flights took off on time in 2025. In June, July and August, that average fell slightly to 75%. Flights during those three months accounted for approximately 37% of cancellations for the entire year.
At Boston Logan International Airport in Massachusetts, approximately 76% of flights took off on time in 2025. In June, July and August, that average was approximately 75%. Flights during those three months accounted for about 34% of cancellations for the entire year. And earlier flights were more likely to depart on time: during the 2025 summer travel season, roughly 90% of flights between 6 and 9 a.m. took off on schedule at Logan, compared to approximately 56% of flights between 6 and 9 p.m.
At Worcester Regional Airport in Massachusetts, approximately 74% of flights took off on time in 2025. In June, July and August, that average dropped to just under 69%. Flights during those three months accounted for approximately 32% of cancellations for the entire year. And earlier flights were more likely to depart on time: During the 2025 summer travel season, the airport’s first few daily departures (roughly 9 to 11 a.m.) ran about 76% on time, compared with about 70% for its last few departures (roughly 4 to 6 p.m.).
At Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, approximately 75% of flights departed on time in 2025. In June, July and August, that average dropped to approximately 73%. Flights during those three months accounted for about 35% of cancellations for the entire year. And earlier flights were more likely to depart on time: during the 2025 summer travel season, roughly 89% of flights between 6 and 9 a.m. took off on schedule, compared to approximately 56% of flights between 6 and 9 p.m.
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 the following share of each airport’s annual cancellations: approximately 41% at JFK, 43% at LaGuardia, 35% at Newark, 38% at Stewart, 21% at Westchester and 19% at MacArthur.
| Percentage of Flights Departing on Time during June, July and August 2025 | ||
| Airport | 6 to 9 a.m. | 6 to 9 p.m. |
| JFK | ~85% | ~58% |
| LaGuardia | ~89% | ~56% |
| Newark | ~89% | ~56% |
At Syracuse Hancock International Airport in New York, approximately 76% of flights took off on time in 2025. In June, July and August, that average increased slightly to about 78%. Flights during those three months accounted for approximately 25% of cancellations for the entire year.
At Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport, approximately 78% of flights took off on time in 2025. In June, July and August, that average dropped to roughly 75%. Flights during those three months accounted for approximately 39% of cancellations for the entire year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are summer flights more likely to be delayed or canceled?
Summer is one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Increased passenger demand, air traffic congestion, weather disruptions and operational challenges can contribute to more delays and cancellations.
What is the best time of day to book a flight?
AAA Northeast’s analysis found that flights departing early in the morning have the lowest likelihood of delays or cancellations. The advantage decreases as the day progresses.
Why do delays become more common later in the day?
Many delays are caused by aircraft arriving late from previous flights. As delays accumulate throughout the day, they can affect subsequent departures across the air transportation network.
Which days of the week have the highest risk of delays?
During summer 2025, Sundays and Thursdays had the highest rates of delays and cancellations nationwide.
Which days generally offer better on-time performance?
Tuesdays and Saturdays experienced lower flight volumes and correspondingly lower rates of delays and cancellations.
How can travelers reduce the impact of flight disruptions?
Travelers should book earlier flights when possible, monitor airline notifications, sign up for text alerts and download their airline’s mobile app for real-time updates.
What did AAA Northeast find about Northeast airports?
AAA Northeast found that airports throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island generally experienced stronger on-time performance in the morning than during evening hours.
Does this mean morning flights are guaranteed to depart on time?
No. While no flight schedule is immune to disruptions, AAA Northeast’s analysis indicates that morning departures consistently provide travelers with better odds of avoiding delays and cancellations.
Last updated on July 2, 2026 by AAA Staff
Based in Rhode Island, Jillian Young is AAA Northeast’s director of public relations. She regularly appears in local TV, radio and print media to discuss traffic safety, travel, insurance and more.
