In 2024, U.S. airports averaged a 78.1% on-time arrival rate, but at these 10 hubs, you had much worse odds. As someone who practically lives in airports, I’ve been stuck at each of these at least once — sometimes for hours — and I’ve learned how to turn a delay into something survivable. Here’s my updated list, using the latest data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
The Worst U.S. Airports for Delays for 2024
Trying to figure out which U.S. airports are most likely to make you miss dinner plans? Here’s the quick list of the worst offenders in 2024, plus a direct link to my notes on why they’re such delay traps.
- Worst for weather + traffic jams: San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Most impacted by storms + hurricane season: San Juan – Luis Muñoz Marín International (SJU)
- Small airport, big storm problems: West Palm Beach – Palm Beach International (PBI)
- Cruise week + lightning delays: Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International (FLL)
- Single-runway bottleneck: San Diego International (SAN)
- Massive hub hit hard by storms: Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW)
- Florida summer storm delays: Tampa International (TPA)
- Theme park traffic + weather holds: Orlando International (MCO)
- Ripple effects from bigger Texas hubs: San Antonio International (SAT)
- Busy international gateway with weather issues: Miami International (MIA)
These rankings are based on the latest Bureau of Transportation Statistics data, which tracks the percentage of flights arriving 15 minutes or more behind schedule. Since there is no 2025 data available, I am using the last full data set I have access to, which is 2024 data.
If you’re flying through any of these, aim for early departures, build in connection time, and always have a plan B airport in mind. I’ve included my personal delay-avoidance tips for each one in the full guide below.
1. San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
On-time arrivals: ~70.5%
Delayed flights: ~29.5%
Biggest delay causes: Fog/low visibility, high traffic volume, airspace restrictions.
San Francisco is gorgeous from the air, but the fog here is the ultimate schedule killer. Low visibility slows landings and takeoffs, especially on SFO’s closely spaced parallel runways. Add in airspace restrictions from nearby Oakland and San Jose traffic, and you get delays that can stack up for hours. In early 2024, over a third of flights were late.
How I deal with SFO delays:
- Fly before 9 a.m. Morning departures are less impacted by fog.
- Avoid tight connections in winter and early spring.
- If I have to connect here, I always pad my layover with at least 2 hours.
- Work spots: Terminal 2 has the best seating and outlets. Napa Farms Market is my go-to for food that actually tastes fresh.
- Alternative airports: Oakland (OAK) and San Jose (SJC) are solid backups with fewer delays.
2. San Juan – Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)
On-time arrivals: ~73.9%
Delayed flights: ~26.1%
Biggest delay causes: Tropical storms, hurricane season, capacity constraints.
Flying into San Juan is gorgeous… until a storm cell parks itself over the runway. The Caribbean weather swings from sunny to severe in minutes, especially during hurricane season. It’s a key U.S.–Caribbean hub, which means heavy traffic even without weather problems.
How I deal with SJU delays:
- Travel outside hurricane season (June–Nov) when possible.
- Always book connections with 2.5+ hours to spare.
- Eat well while you wait: Try the mofongo or empanadas at local stands inside the terminal.
- Pack for humidity: The AC can’t always keep up in crowded gate areas, and it gets sticky fast.
- If weather is looking bad, I monitor alternate flights to Miami or Orlando — sometimes a mainland connection is a faster escape route.
3. West Palm Beach – Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
On-time arrivals: ~75.3%
Delayed flights: ~24.7%
Biggest delay causes: Afternoon thunderstorms, leisure travel surges.
PBI has a laid-back vibe, but summer weather here is no joke. Daily storms roll in like clockwork, grounding flights. Because the airport is smaller compared to other major Florida airports, even one weather disruption can cause a domino effect.
How I deal with PBI delays:
- Book flights before 1 p.m. to dodge the daily storm window.
- If delayed, grab a table at Sam Snead’s Tavern — it’s more relaxing than sitting at the gate.
- Carry-on only so you can jump on an earlier or later flight quickly.
- In winter, delays are shorter but still happen — usually from weather elsewhere in the country.
4. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL)
On-time arrivals: ~75.8%
Delayed flights: ~24.2%
Biggest delay causes: Thunderstorms, cruise traffic spikes, low-cost carrier scheduling.
FLL is a gateway for Caribbean cruises and budget vacations, which means sudden passenger surges. Add in lightning holds and there’s your 24% delay rate.
How I deal with FLL delays:
- Avoid evening departures — delays ripple through the day here.
- If you’re headed for a cruise, arrive a day early to avoid missing the ship.
- Food tip: The newer Terminal 4 has better food options and more outlets.
- When storms are in the forecast, I monitor Miami (MIA) — it’s only 30 minutes away and can be a lifesaver.
5. San Diego International (SAN)
On-time arrivals: ~76.1%
Delayed flights: ~23.9%
Biggest delay causes: Single-runway bottleneck, late inbounds, occasional fog.
SAN’s downtown location is incredible for convenience, but its single-runway setup means no slack for delays. If a plane is late arriving, there’s nowhere to make up time.
How I deal with SAN delays:
- Avoid last flights of the day; they’re most likely to get cut if things back up.
- Outdoor seating: Terminal 2 has a patio where you can enjoy the California sun while you wait.
- If delays get ugly, check flights from LAX — it’s about 2.5 hours away by car and has more backup options.
- Arrive early during summer — SAN’s small size means security lines can back up.
6. Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW)
On-time arrivals: ~76.4%
Delayed flights: ~23.6%
Biggest delay causes: Severe thunderstorms, hub congestion.
DFW is one of the biggest connecting hubs in the world, which means any weather hiccup anywhere in the American Airlines network can hit here hard. Thunderstorms in spring and summer are especially disruptive.
How I deal with DFW delays:
- If flying through in summer, book morning flights to dodge storm risk.
- When connecting, I allow at least 90 minutes between flights.
- SkyLink train is your friend — it’s the fastest way to terminal-hop for better food or quiet spots.
- If storms are forecast, I track alternative routings through Charlotte or Phoenix to stay ahead.
7. Tampa International Airport (TPA)
On-time arrivals: ~76.7%
Delayed flights: ~23.3%
Biggest delay causes: Thunderstorms, hurricane disruptions, high seasonal traffic.
TPA is a beautiful airport to wait in, as it’s airy, spacious, and full of art. But even with its stellar layout, TPA can’t dodge Florida’s summer storms, which is when most delays occur. If you’re stuck, you can find quiet workspaces or grab a table with a view of the runways for some plane spotting.
How I deal with TPA delays:
- Fly mid-morning when storms are least likely.
- Grab a Cuban sandwich at Columbia Café — it makes the wait easier.
- If your flight’s canceled during hurricane season, drive to Orlando (MCO) for more rebooking options.
- Watch for delays during spring break — traffic spikes can overwhelm even TPA’s well-organized layout.
8. Orlando International Airport (MCO)
On-time arrivals: ~76.8%
Delayed flights: ~23.2%
Biggest delay causes: Theme park tourism peaks, thunderstorms.
MCO is Disney’s front door, and that means surges of families, strollers, and luggage at all hours. Delays here are often tied to Florida’s afternoon storms, but during downtime I like exploring the central atrium or sneaking up to the Hyatt Regency for a quiet drink overlooking the terminal.
How I deal with MCO delays:
- Arrive at least 2 hours early — security lines can be unpredictable.
- If delayed, head to the Hyatt Regency atrium inside the airport for calm and quiet.
- Fly midweek mornings to dodge the heaviest family travel days.
- If you’re connecting internationally, allow 3 hours minimum in case of weather holds.
9. San Antonio International (SAT)
On-time arrivals: ~76.9%
Delayed flights: ~23.1%
Biggest delay causes: Texas thunderstorms, rising passenger volume.
SAT’s size makes it easy to navigate, but it’s at the mercy of Texas weather. Because it’s smaller, SAT feels more manageable than DFW or IAH, but that also means delays elsewhere in Texas can quickly ripple here.
How I deal with SAT delays:
- I check DFW and IAH weather before traveling — if they’re having storms, SAT will feel it.
- Eat at La Gloria for solid Tex-Mex between updates.
- Keep your schedule flexible in spring storm season — it’s common for late-day flights to be pushed back hours.
10. Miami International (MIA)
On-time arrivals: ~77.1%
Delayed flights: ~22.9%
Biggest delay causes: Tropical weather, heavy international traffic.
MIA is intense — it’s one of the busiest international gateways in the U.S. Tropical downpours, summer storms, and hurricane season keep delays high. MIA’s role as a tropical connection point means it’s especially vulnerable to weather delays, but its sheer volume of flights gives you more rebooking options. I’ve spent some of my favorite “delays” here enjoying strong cafecitos while people-watching travelers from around the world.
How I deal with MIA delays:
- If traveling in hurricane season, book flexible fares.
- Sign up for Priority Pass or another lounge program — MIA’s lounges are a sanity-saver.
- Allow extra walking time between gates — they’re far apart and rebooked flights may leave from a different terminal.
- If a big storm is approaching, consider flying into Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and driving.
FAQs about the Most Delayed Airports in the U.S.
Here are some pretty common questions I get about flight delays at major US airports:
How did I research the most delayed airports in the US
I dug into the latest Department of Transportation data and cross-checked it with third-party reports that track delays and cancellations. This way, I’m not just sharing random stats but the most accurate, up-to-date info available right now.
What counts as a delayed flight
A flight is considered delayed if it arrives 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. That doesn’t sound like much, but when you’re stuck in the terminal watching the clock, it feels a lot longer.
Which US airports tend to have the worst delays
From my experience flying through dozens of US airports, the usual suspects tend to be big hubs in bad-weather regions, along with some airports that have heavy congestion or outdated infrastructure. The list changes slightly year to year depending on weather patterns and airline scheduling.
Why some airports are delayed more than others
Sometimes it’s weather. Sometimes it’s staffing. Other times it’s just too many flights packed into the same runway schedule. I’ve noticed that airports with tight gate space and older layouts tend to get bottlenecked faster.
When is the best time to fly to avoid delays
I always aim for early-morning departures. The later in the day you fly, the more your plane’s schedule is at the mercy of earlier delays.
How to deal with flight delays like a pro
I keep airline apps, flight-tracking apps, and backup airport lounges in my arsenal. If my flight gets pushed back, I already know my alternative flights and can rebook before the gate agents get swamped.
Do delays vary by airline or just by airport
From what I’ve seen, it’s a mix of both. Some airlines manage their schedules and ground operations better, even at chronically delayed airports. Others struggle no matter where they are.
