Holiday airport delays are threatening to flip festive household reunions into journey nightmares.
Fierce winter climate sparked one in 5 flight delays at main US hubs during the vacation rush over the last 5 years, according to a gorgeous new evaluation from Upgraded Points based mostly on Bureau of Transportation Statistics information.
The research tracked 60 of the nation’s busiest airports across 9 main carriers from November 2021 through January 2026 — revealing San Francisco International and LaGuardia as the absolute worst winter offenders.
Upgraded Points in contrast the 60 busiest US airports and calculated the share of delays attributed to climate. AFP via Getty Images
Severe climate accounted for 21.9% of all disruptions nationwide between November and January. San Francisco International Airport claimed the prime spot for vacation gridlock, with climate blamed for 40.3% of its delays.
Big Apple vacationers aren’t faring much higher: LaGuardia grabbed second place with winter climate inflicting 38.9% of whole delays, while Seattle-Tacoma rounded out the prime three at 32.8%.
Some airports have higher odds, as dangerous climate only triggered just 10.2% of delays at Los Angeles International Airport. Honolulu, Kahului, and Miami also ranked among the most secure bets for clearer skies and clean takeoffs.
10 most weather-delayed airports during the vacation months:
While historic traits don’t assure next month’s forecast, vacationers can monitor real-time circumstances via the FAA’s National Airspace System Status dashboard. But reserving a December layover at SFO or LGA carries far more danger than catching a connection through sunny LAX or Miami.
Across the U.S., climate was accountable for an common of 21.9% of delayed flights during the vacation months. Bloomberg via Getty Images
Calendar-wise, December takes the crown for the worst delays with dangerous climate grounding or stalling practically 24% of flights in contrast to January’s 22.6%. And the airline you select can also make a distinction.
Alaska Airlines had the highest share of winter-related delays among the 9 carriers in the research, at 27.8%. United Airlines adopted at 25.4%. The airways with the least quantity of delays in the information were Hawaiian Airlines at 7.9% and Southwest Airlines at 17.2%.
Delays aren’t the only journey hindrance that comes during Holiday season – 2026 vacation airfare costs are expected to be the most costly in ten years. Sunday, Nov 29 and Sunday, Dec 27 are peak return days, and are expected to have large surcharges.
San Francisco (SFO) had the highest share of weather-related delays among the airports in the research. AFP via Getty Images
Thanksgiving airfare is averaging $402 for a home round-trip ticket – a large 31% leap (roughly $95 more) in contrast to last 12 months. And Christmas flights are averaging $452 for a spherical journey, marking a 23% improve over last 12 months.
Last December, vacation vacationers were left stranded at John F. Kennedy International Airport Friday evening after a whole lot of flights were canceled as a snowstorm slammed New York City and the tri-state space.
The storm brought about 158 flight cancellations and 204 delays out of JFK — the highest totals of any US airport on Friday.
Newark International Airport also reported a staggering 107 cancellations, with LaGuardia International Airport following carefully behind with 90 scrapped flights, information from last vacation season confirmed. Both journey hubs reported a mixed 335 delayed flights.
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