Here are four things you should know about canceled and delayed flights
When are you entitled to a refund or a free hotel when traveling? Here are four things to know about canceled or delayed flights.
Getty, USA TODAY
There’s nothing more annoying than waking up at dawn and rushing to the airport, only to find out that your early morning flight is delayed.
Flight delays are unwelcome for any traveler, but for those who have an early morning or late night flight, they can be particularly frustrating—especially when places to get food or coffee are closed or the late-night flight keeps you awake.
To help travelers avoid delays on their next flight, Upgraded Points has ranked the best and worst airports for early morning and late evening flights. The travel company analyzed data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics on the 50 busiest U.S. airports, including the percentage of flights departing before 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m., as well as the number of delayed flights and the average number of delayed departures.
“Booking the first flight or an overnight flight can greatly improve your travel experience,” said Alex Miller, founder of Upgraded Points, in a statement to USA TODAY. “These off-peak flights are often less crowded, meaning shorter security lines and less hassle overall. Additionally, flights during these times are typically less expensive, providing a budget-friendly option for travelers. Early and late flights are less prone to delays because they avoid the busiest times of day, making your travel plans more reliable.”
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“Whether you want to save money, enjoy a quieter airport experience or ensure an on-time departure, choosing an off-peak flight is a smart strategy.”
Below you’ll find information on the best and worst US airports for early morning and late night flights.
The best US airports for early morning flights
- Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, 13.88% of early flights delayed, average delay time 4.44 minutes
- Kansas City International Airport, 14.22% delay for early flights, average delay time 8.19 minutes
- Southwest Florida International Airport, 12.42% delay for early flights, flights depart on average 2 minutes before the scheduled time
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, 16.37% delay for early flights, average delay time 3.26 minutes
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, 21.73% delay on early flights, average delay time 7.01 minutes
The worst US airports for early morning flights
- Miami International Airport, 31.57% delay on early flights, average delay time 7.46 minutes
- Salt Lake City International Airport, 26.50% delay for early flights, average delay time 5.01 minutes
- Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, 22.73% of early flights delayed, average delay time 5.88 minutes
- Sky Harbor International Airport, 24.11% of early flights delayed, average delay time 4.73 minutes
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport, 24.18% delay for early flights, average delay time 3.98 minutes
The best US airports for night flights
- Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, 31.72% delayed flights, average delay time 7.53 minutes
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, 39.48%% delayed flights, average delay time of 11.91 minutes
- Salt Lake City International Airport, 33.47% delayed flights, average delay time 8.85 minutes
- Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, 35.67% delayed flights, average delay time 9.8 minutes
- Indianapolis International Airport, 0.3% flight delay, flights depart on average five minutes ahead of schedule
The worst US airports for night flights
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, 77.78% delayed flights, average delay time 45.44 minutes
- San Antonio International Airport, 40.91% delayed flights, average delay time 31.36 minutes
- Logan International Airport, 50% of flights delayed, average delay time 26.91 minutes
- Palm Beach International Airport, 46.67% delayed flights, average delay time 17.27 minutes
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, 46.43% delayed flights, average delay time 17.71 minutes
