LONDON - MARCH 16: A plane comes into land at Heathrow Airport on March 16, 2007 in London. A US government agency has announced that winter in the Northern Hemisphere this year has been the warmest since records began. Air travel continues to be a major source of debate; attempts to slow climate change with radical policies are being tabled by scientists and politicians. Hybrid buses, which use a combination of diesel and electric power, are said to be central to the Mayor and Transport of London's plans for a cleaner, greener bus fleet in London, and aim to start cutting the capital's Carbon Dioxide emissions helping to tackle climate change. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Are you planning a holiday getaway or a sun-filled vacation on the beach, but are concerned about flight delays throwing off your schedule? Some airports might be best left off your itinerary, while others are known for their reliability.
AirHelp has gathered ten of the worst and best airports based on “flight disruptions” from airports with 10,000+ flights in March 2025.
Worst Airports (Highest Flight Disruptions):
Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport (29.0%)
DFW saw the highest rate of flight disruptions in March, with nearly 3 in 10 flights affected. Factors include unpredictable spring weather and heavy traffic across its vast network of gates and runways. Operational bottlenecks and storm-related delays pushed it to the bottom of the list.
Miami International Airport (28.4%)
Miami’s disruption rate of 28.4% stems largely from a combination of airspace congestion and frequent weather-related interruptions. As a major international hub with high seasonal demand, the airport often struggles to maintain on-time performance during busy months.
Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (27.9%)
FLL experienced high disruption rates due to heavy traffic, limited runway capacity and weather delays. Its popularity with low-cost carriers and vacation travelers means it often operates near capacity, leaving little room for recovery during irregular operations.
O’Hare International Airport (25.6%)
Chicago O’Hare’s 25.6% disruption rate highlights the challenges of operating in a highly congested hub with volatile weather. Despite its resources, the airport frequently deals with ripple-effect delays due to its role as a major connector across the U.S.
Ronald Reagan National Airport (24.9%)
Reagan National faces space constraints and strict airspace limitations, which contribute to its high delay rate. With nearly 1 in 4 flights affected, it’s less reliable than nearby Dulles, particularly during inclement weather or peak traffic hours.
Orlando International Airport (24.8%)
A high volume of leisure travelers and spring break traffic pushed Orlando’s disruption rate to 24.8%. Weather delays and capacity limitations add to the challenge of keeping flights on time during high-demand periods.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (23.4%)
Charlotte’s role as a major hub in the Southeast comes with operational pressure. Its 23.4% disruption rate reflects the impact of high connection traffic, runway congestion and periodic weather disturbances.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (23.1%)
ATL, the nation’s busiest airport, saw disruptions on over 23% of its flights. The sheer volume of daily traffic makes delays more common, especially during peak travel times or weather events that cause ground stops or backups.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (21.6%)
Despite being a premier international gateway, JFK struggles with congestion and delays, affecting 21.6% of its flights. Airspace constraints and construction-related disruptions continue to challenge smooth operations.
Newark Liberty International Airport (21.6%)
Newark matches JFK in disruption rate, sharing many of the same issues: congested airspace, infrastructure strain and weather-related delays. Travelers flying in and out of the NYC metro area often face unpredictable schedules here.
Best Airports (Lowest Flight Disruptions):
Salt Lake City International Airport (16.3%)
Salt Lake City International tops the list for reliability, with just 16.3% of flights experiencing disruptions in March 2025. Its manageable traffic levels, efficient operations and generally the most stable weather conditions contribute to its impressive on-time performance. This makes it a standout hub for travelers prioritizing smooth departures and arrivals.
Los Angeles International Airport (16.7%)
Despite being one of the busiest airports in the U.S., LAX performed exceptionally well in March. Only 16.7% of its flights were disrupted—a testament to its recent infrastructure upgrades and improved traffic management. For travelers flying through Southern California, LAX proved to be surprisingly dependable.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (17.3%)
SEA continues to build a reputation for reliability, with 17.3% of flights disrupted last month. Its strong operational planning and handling of weather variability contribute to this performance. SEA is a smart choice for those traveling in and out of the Pacific Northwest.
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (18.9%)
Detroit Metro strikes a balance between traffic volume and efficiency, with only 18.9% of flights facing delays or cancellations. The airport benefits from a well-designed layout and a reputation for quick turnaround times, which helps keep operations running on schedule.
Washington Dulles International Airport (19.0%)
Dulles is the most reliable option among the D.C. area airports, with a disruption rate of just 19%. Its spacious runways and lower congestion levels compared to nearby Ronald Reagan help ensure smoother flight operations for both domestic and international travelers.
Philadelphia International Airport (19.3%)
With 19.3% of flights disrupted, Philadelphia International holds its ground as a relatively stable option in the Northeast. It benefits from being less congested than nearby hubs like JFK or Newark, allowing it to manage delays more effectively.
Denver International Airport (19.3%)
Known for its expansive layout and high volume of traffic, Denver’s 19.3% disruption rate is commendable. Even with unpredictable weather, DIA manages delays efficiently thanks to its modern infrastructure and proactive response teams.
Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (19.6%)
MSP is a consistently reliable airport, and March was no different. With 19.6% of flights disrupted, it remained well under the national average. Its central location and strong airline partnerships help it maintain efficiency even during peak times.
San Francisco International Airport (20.1%)
SFO’s relatively low disruption rate of 20.1% is impressive considering its weather challenges and air traffic volume. Continuous investment in runway technology and air traffic systems has helped improve its operational performance.
New York LaGuardia Airport (20.3%)
LaGuardia has made notable improvements in recent years, and March’s numbers reflect that. With 20.3% of flights disrupted, it was the best-performing major airport in the New York City area. Recent renovations and better traffic flow have helped reduce delays.
When it comes to travel, timing is everything—and not all airports perform equally. March 2025 data displayed a clear divide between the most and least reliable major airports in the U.S., with the top ten worst flights maintaining disruption rates below 21%, while the bottom ten saw rates climbing as high as 29%. For travelers hoping to avoid delays and cancellations, flying through airports with on-time records can make all the difference. Meanwhile, those passing through the more disruption-prone flights may want to build in some buffer time or consider alternate routes to keep their travel plans running smoothly.
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