Flight Delays: Surviving the Frustration and Knowing Your Rights

Flight delays can turn a well-planned trip into a nightmare. Despite our best efforts, delays can happen for various reasons such as weather conditions, air traffic congestion, or mechanical issues. These delays can trigger deep emotional reactions in travelers, ranging from frustration to emotional outbursts. It is important to prepare for these situations and know your rights as a passenger.

Preparing for a Delay

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Congested airspace or inclement weather can lead to a frustrating wait for passengers. The impact of flight delays on our minds can leave us feeling powerless, as if we have no control. It is common for travelers to feel like their time and money have been wasted. To prepare yourself for a delay, pack a survival kit with a good book, snacks, and noise-cancelling headphones. Access to a lounge, through a credit card or one-time pass, can also help make the delay more comfortable. Tracking your flight in real time can also provide information about any potential delays or issues.

Data from the United States Department of Transportation’s recent Air Travel Consumer Reports, backed by Upgraded Points, identifies several US airports known for delays. Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI), Orlando International Airport (MCO), and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) were all among the top airports with the highest percentage of delayed flights during the summer of 2024.

Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)

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Located just 12 miles from downtown Chicago, MDW is one of the busiest airports in the United States. It is a base for Southwest and Frontier Airlines, with Southwest operating over 90% of all flights at the airport. The most popular route from MDW is to Las Vegas, followed by Phoenix and Atlanta. Internationally, Cancun is the most popular destination, operated by Frontier and Southwest.

Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI)

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BWI, also known as Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, is located in Maryland and serves the Baltimore/Washington metropolitan area. It is the busiest airport in the state of Maryland and sees a high percentage of delayed flights. The busiest route from BWI is to Atlanta, followed by Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Denver.

Orlando International Airport (MCO)

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MCO is the busiest airport in the state of Florida and serves as a base for Breeze, Frontier, Southwest, and Spirit Airlines. The airport sees over 1,000 daily flights and the most popular routes are to Atlanta and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

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FLL, the second busiest airport in the Miami metropolitan area, sees a high percentage of delayed flights.