InsureMyTrip Research reveals worst airports for flight cancellations

Warwick, RI –  In an effort to help empower travelers to make more informed decisions when it comes to holiday travel plans, InsureMyTrip Research recently revealed which airports to possibly avoid and how the latest data trends can aid travelers when comparing travel insurance benefits.

Summary

  • For the first time in five years, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) is reporting more flight cancellations than Chicago O’Hare International (ORD) and this doesn’t even include the power outage cancellations from this week.
  • Weather is the top reason for flight cancellations and delays nationwide.
  • If a flight is canceled, most airlines will rebook travelers on next available flight at no additional charge. However, airlines are not required to reimburse travelers also not required to reimburse travelers for losses incurred as a result of a canceled flight.

InsureMyTrip Research predicts these airports will be more stressful for travelers this holiday due to the likelihood of canceled flights based on previously reported data for this year.

RankAirportCityDeparting flight cancellations
1ATLAtlanta3,918*
2ORDChicago3,505
3IAHHouston3,481
4SFOSan Francisco3,057
5LGANew York2,886
6EWRNewark2,875
7BOSBoston2,541
8MCOOrlando2,510
9FLLFort Lauderdale2,371
10JFKNew York2,047
11LAXLos Angeles1,946
12DFWDallas1,783
13HOUHouston1,723
14MIAMiami1,695
15BWIBaltimore1,614
16DCAWashington DC1,407
17DENDenver1,388
18LASLas Vegas1,277
19TPATampa1,274
20CLTCharlotte1,220

This table contains data for non-stop domestic flights by major air carriers collected in 2017 thus far by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

*Data excludes over 1,000 canceled flights due to the power outage of December, 17th 2017 at Hartsfield-Jackson International. Those numbers have not been collected yet.

Top reasons for a flight cancellation in 2017 by all reportable US airports:

Reason for cancellationNumber of flights affected
Weather45,008
Air Carrier16,928
National Aviation System13,725
Security290

Flight data obtained by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. National Aviation System cancellations can also be due to weather.

Flight Cancellation Policies

Flight cancellation policies vary by airline and circumstance. When an airline cancels a flight, most will try to rebook passengers on the next available flight.

Airlines are also not required to reimburse travelers for losses incurred as a result of a canceled flight, such as prepaid, non-refundable:

  • Hotel room
  • All-inclusive vacation or resort
  • A cruise
  • A tour or safari
  • Concert or entertainment tickets​

Travelers concerned about protecting any trip expenses should buy travel insurance.

Dealing with Flight Delays

Each airline has its own flight delay policy for passengers waiting at the airport; there are no federal requirements.

Travelers concerned about delays should be aware of the following:

  • Generally, early departures are less likely to be delayed.
  • Book a non-stop flight (no stops).
  • When booking, ask the airline about the on-time performance percentage for an individual flight.
  • Closer to departure, check real-time airport data. This will provide timely information on weather concerns or air traffic delays.
  • Be aware of “creeping delays.” When an airline continues to push back a departure time it can sometimes be extended for hours or lead to a cancellation.
  • If a flight is delayed, try to learn the reason why to better gauge if the flight is in jeopardy of being canceled. Reasons for delays may include maintenance, fueling, crew issues, weather, previous flight with same aircraft arrived late, causing the present flight to depart late, or security issues.
  • Some flights will be delayed on the tarmac before or after take-off. As a general rule, DOT prohibits flights to remain on the tarmac for more than three hours.

Passengers with departing flights at busier airports should consider travel insurance for travel delay protection. “If travelers are made aware of the possibility of flight delays, they can then use that data to help them compare travel delay benefits during a travel insurance purchase,” says InsureMyTrip Intelligence Analyst Danny DeMello.

Travel delay benefits vary with each travel insurance provider, generally between a 5 and 24-hour window. The benefit is designed to provide reimbursement for reasonable meals and accommodations while unable to travel.

Tip: Travelers must be delayed for a certain number of hours before this benefit can be applied. When comparing travel insurance, look for the minimum delay time (typically, starting at 5 hours) to start qualifying for coverage as soon as possible.