The Most Weather-Delayed Airports During the Holidays [2024 Data Study]

When it comes to flying, few things are as frustrating as unexpected delays — especially when the weather’s to blame. With the holiday travel season on the horizon, we looked at historical data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) to find the most weather-delayed airports across the U.S., both during peak holiday months and throughout the year. We also analyzed the data to uncover the airlines most affected by weather delays during the holiday rush and pinpoint the months with the most weather-related setbacks.

Read on to discover when and where inclement weather is most likely to disrupt your travel plans this holiday season and beyond.

The Most Weather-Delayed Airports During the Holidays

When it comes to holiday travel from November through January, not all airports are created equal — especially when Mother Nature decides to join the party. Some airports have a reputation for weather-related delays that can test even the most seasoned traveler’s patience. If you plan to fly out of these popular hubs this holiday season, you might want to pack some extra snacks and a good book.

Here are the 5 most weather-delayed airports during the holiday months:

1. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) — 42.3%
2. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) — 42.1%
3. LaGuardia Airport (LGA) — 38.3%
4. Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) — 38.1%
5. Logan International Airport (BOS) — 31.3%

San Francisco (SFO) claims the top spot for holiday weather delays, with a whopping 42.3% of its delays caused by weather during the holiday months over the past 5 years. December is particularly challenging, with 50.5% of SFO’s delays attributed to weather disruptions. Close on its heels, Newark (EWR) has faced 42.1% weather-related delays, followed by LaGuardia (LGA) at 38.3%, as East Coast storms make it one of the toughest spots for winter travel. 

Out west, Seattle (SEA) lands at 38.1% for weather-related delays, mostly thanks to November rain and fog that love to roll in right when flights are ready to go. Finally, Boston (BOS) rounds out the top 5 at 31.3%—a testament to Boston’s chilly, stormy winter months. Knowing these stats can help travelers prepare for longer waits and, if flexibility allows, consider alternative airports during the holiday months.

While some airports are notorious for winter weather delays, others offer travelers a bit of a reprieve. With reliably milder climates or simply fewer weather disruptions, these airports see far fewer weather-related flight delays than their counterparts.

Here are the 5 least weather-delayed airports during the holiday months:

1. Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) – 11.0%
2. William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) – 12.3%
3. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – 12.4%
4. Dallas Love Field (DAL) – 12.7%
5. San Diego International Airport (SAN) and Miami International Airport (MIA) – tied at 13.1%

With Honolulu (HNL) leading the way, only 11% of delays in Honolulu have been weather-related ​​during the holiday months over the past 5 years, making it a prime choice for stress-free holiday travel. Houston (HOU) in Houston isn’t far behind at 12.3%, and Los Angeles (LAX) follows closely at 12.4%, proving that SoCal’s sunny skies really do help keep things running on time. 

Over in Texas, Dallas (DAL) has a modest 12.7% weather delay rate during the holiday months, while San Diego (SAN) and Miami (MIA) tie at 13.1% — no surprise given their typically warm, coastal climates.

The Most Weather-Delayed Airports Year-Round

When it comes to year-round delays, the data reveals some airports just can’t catch a break from weather-related disruptions. Instead of focusing only on the holiday months, we took a broader look, analyzing the percentage of weather-related flight delays across the entire year for the past 5 years. The results show which airports face consistent weather challenges, no matter the season.

Here are the 5 most weather-delayed airports year-round:

1. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) – 45.7%
2. LaGuardia Airport (LGA) – 42.6%
3. Logan International Airport (BOS) – 36.3%
4. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) – 35.6%
5. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) – 35.4%

Newark (EWR), LaGuardia (LGA), and Boston (BOS) — the top 3 airports for weather delays year-round — also appear on the list of most weather-delayed airports during the holiday months, with a few new contenders joining the ranks. Chicago (ORD) battles weather woes year-round, from summer thunderstorms in August to icy winter conditions in January, racking up 35.6% of delays due to weather. And down in Texas, Houston (IAH) isn’t immune either; 35.4% of delays are caused by weather, most notably in May — a month notorious for storm activity during tornado season in Texas. 

Here are the 5 least weather-delayed airports year-round:

1. Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) – 8.2%
2. Kahului Airport (OGG) – 9.4%
3. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – 9.8%
4. Oakland International Airport (OAK) – 12.2%
5. San Diego International Airport (SAN ) – 12.5%

If you’re looking for a smooth getaway, you’ll want to book your flights through these airports. Honolulu (HNL) and Maui (OGG) in Hawaii top the list, with only 8.2% and 9.4% of delays due to weather year-round. Hawaii’s famously mild, consistent climate makes it one of the most reliable places to fly in and out of. 

Three California airports round out the top 5 least weather-delayed airports, making the Golden State a safe bet for smooth skies. Los Angeles (LAX) sees only 9.8% of its delays due to weather, while Oakland (OAK) and San Diego (SAN) come in at 12.2% and 12.5%, respectively. California’s sunny climate helps keep these airports running on time year-round, a stark contrast to the seasonal hurricanes and winter storms that can halt flights back east.

The Most Weather-Delayed Airlines During the Holidays

Alaska Airlines is the most weather-delayed airline during the holiday months, with 30.2% of its delays in the November through January period caused by weather. United Airlines comes in second at 29.4%. Allegiant Air and Spirit Airlines also experience high weather-related delay rates at 24.5% and 24.4%, respectively. 

Many of these airlines operate heavily in regions prone to winter weather challenges. Alaska Airlines, for instance, has numerous routes through the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, where snow, fog, and rain can slow things down. United Airlines also operates several major hubs at some of the nation’s most weather-delayed airports — Newark (EWR), Chicago (ORD), Houston (IAH), and San Francisco (SFO). 

On the other end of the spectrum, Hawaiian Airlines has the fewest weather-related delays during the holiday months, with only 7.5% of delays caused by weather. Its tropical location gives Hawaiian Airlines a major advantage. Similarly, Southwest Airlines, with many routes through the South and Southwest, experiences fewer winter weather disruptions, with only 14.9% of delays attributed to weather during the holiday months. What’s more, Southwest Airlines has several major hubs at some of the nation’s least weather-delayed airports like Houston (HOU) and Dallas (DAL). 

Months With the Most Weather-Related Flight Delays

It’s easy to assume that winter months would have the most weather-related flight delays, but the BTS data tells a different story. While January and February have high delay rates at 28.5% and 28.7%, it’s actually the summer months, like July (31.9%), June (31.4%), and August (31.2%), that experience the most weather-related setbacks. Why? Along with intense thunderstorms, summer brings the start of hurricane season, adding powerful storms and heavy rain into the mix, especially for flights along the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico. Summer’s extreme heat can also impact flight schedules, particularly in hotter regions where high temperatures reduce air density and affect takeoff performance.

Meanwhile, months like November (19.9%) and October (22.2%) have the fewest weather-related delays. These fall months serve as a transition between summer thunderstorms and winter snowstorms, making them some of the best times to fly with minimal disruption. So, next time you’re planning travel, remember that winter isn’t always the worst offender. 

Methodology

To identify the airports most affected by inclement weather during the holidays, we analyzed the percentage of weather-related flight delays at the 60 busiest U.S. airports using data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). The holiday period was defined as the months of November through January, with averages taken from data between January 2019 and July 2024. We excluded 2020 data to avoid skewing due to COVID-19-related disruptions.

Additionally, we identified the most and least weather-delayed airports year-round by applying the same process to all months. We also replicated these analyses for the 10 largest U.S. airlines to determine the most weather-delayed carriers both during the holidays and year-round. 

The 60 busiest airports analyzed in the study are based on annual enplanement data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the 10 largest airlines analyzed are based on capacity (number of seats) by OAG.

Final Thoughts

Airports like San Francisco (SFO) and Newark (EWR) top the list for holiday weather delays, thanks to their weather-prone locations. Meanwhile, airports in milder climates, like Honolulu (HNL) and Los Angeles (LAX), see far fewer disruptions. By knowing which airports and airlines are most affected by weather, travelers can plan smarter and anticipate potential delays. Use this guide to navigate your holiday trips with confidence and safe travels this season!