November 5, 2025
2025 may be simply as busy. If you happen to’re flying out of a significant hub this November, it helps to know which of them are likely to decelerate when the crowds roll in.
Bear in mind final Thanksgiving when airports throughout the U.S. had been swamped with vacationers? The TSA screened 3.08 million folks in a single day (the Sunday after the vacation), a file, and in addition a reminder that vacation journey is equal elements reunion and endurance take a look at. Most vacationers made it house, however not with no justifiable share of delays, alerts, and drained gate crowds throughout the nation.
2025 may be simply as busy. If you happen to’re flying out of a significant hub this November, it helps to know which of them are likely to decelerate when the crowds roll in. Some airports see extra climate delays, whereas others simply hit their limits as soon as the runways fill. Both manner, a bit of planning can save loads of ready. Utilizing DOT’s November 2024 on-time knowledge and FAA passenger numbers, Means.com ranked the large U.S. airports almost certainly to again up through the holidays and methods to preserve your journey operating on time.
Doubtless Delay Hotspots Amongst Main Airports
Some airports are slower than others when the vacations roll round. It’s not at all times anybody’s fault. Typically it’s fog, generally it’s full runways, and generally it’s a dozen planes ready for a similar gate. These are a number of the airports that ran delayed final November, together with the variety of passengers who handed via them that yr.
1. Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport (EWR)
Newark tops the checklist for all of the incorrect causes. Solely 71.5% of flights arrived on time final November, the bottom fee amongst giant U.S. hubs. Blame it on Northeast congestion, restricted runway capability, and the chain response that begins each time unhealthy climate strikes via New York airspace. With greater than 24 million passengers a yr, even quick delays right here ripple throughout 1000’s of itineraries.
If you happen to’re flying via:
If you happen to can, e-book morning arrivals and early departures. The primary wave of flights tends to run nearer to schedule earlier than points begin and delays occur. For long-haul worldwide routes, you could possibly take into account flying out of/into JFK as an alternative of Newark that week. In keeping with the DOT report, JFK held a a lot steadier 88% on-time fee final November.
2. San Francisco Worldwide Airport (SFO)
Solely 72% of flights arrived on time at SFO in November 2024. The airport’s parallel runways can’t at all times deal with full capability in unhealthy climate. This implies arrivals need to house out, and that may trigger a sequence response of delays. With greater than 25 million passengers a yr, that would imply many sad vacationers.
If you happen to’re flying via:
Noon flights often do higher as soon as the fog lifts. If you happen to’re flying out of or into the Bay Space usually, Oakland (OAK) and San Jose (SJC) each noticed stronger on-time numbers in November, sitting comfortably within the mid-80s. You’ll nonetheless land shut sufficient to get the place you’re going, however with a greater probability of being on time.
3. San Diego Worldwide Airport (SAN)
San Diego is smaller than many of the airports on this checklist, nevertheless it nonetheless noticed 7.9 million passengers final yr. About 79% of flights arrived on time in November, touchdown it beneath the nationwide common. The only-runway structure means there’s much less room to soak up delays when issues get backed up.
If you happen to’re flying via:
Ebook morning or noon flights when site visitors patterns are smoother. Night departures usually tend to face small maintain instances. If you happen to can, journey midweek as a result of weekends are typically busier with leisure site visitors.
4. Dallas–Fort Value Worldwide Airport (DFW)
Dallas–Fort Value is among the busiest airports within the nation, and through the holidays, you possibly can really feel it. About 80% of flights arrived on time final November, which isn’t unhealthy given the sheer quantity right here. Nevertheless, with greater than 42 million passengers a yr, small interruptions can snowball.
If you happen to’re flying via:
Go away your self additional time between connections, so a brief delay doesn’t derail your journey. Morning flights often fare higher earlier than climate patterns construct up within the afternoon. And when you possibly can, choose routes with a number of day by day departures, so you have got a backup plan if issues stall.
5. Denver Worldwide Airport (DEN)
Denver dealt with about 40 million passengers final yr, and 82.6% of flights arrived on time in November. It’s a stable fee for a significant hub, although the season’s first snow or sturdy winds can nonetheless create gradual days.
If you happen to’re flying via:
Purpose for noon departures after early morning de-icing delays filter. In case your route gives a nonstop choice, take it. Fewer connections imply fewer possibilities to get caught ready.
6. Chicago O’Hare Worldwide Airport (ORD)
Chicago O’Hare noticed 38.6 million passengers final yr and an 84.1% on-time fee in November. For a hub that giant, that’s respectable. Nonetheless, late fall in Chicago typically means longer taxi instances and busy arrival banks.
If you happen to’re flying via:
Ebook earlier flights when operations are smoother and winds are lighter. If you happen to’re connecting, give your self not less than 90 minutes. It’s higher to stretch your legs than dash throughout terminals.
7. Las Vegas Harry Reid Worldwide Airport (LAS)
Las Vegas moved greater than 28 million passengers final yr, and 84.2% of flights arrived on time in November. Most slowdowns happen throughout heavy weekend site visitors slightly than as a result of climate.
If you happen to’re flying via:
Attempt to keep away from late-night Sunday departures when everybody else is leaving city. Decide airways with a number of day by day flights in your route, so you have got flexibility if timing slips.
8. Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles dealt with 37.8 million passengers final yr and posted an 85.4% on-time fee in November. The skies keep busy, nevertheless it’s the roads and sold-out LAX parking across the airport that take a look at persistence most.
If you happen to’re flying via:
Go away loads of time for site visitors and safety strains earlier than your flight. Morning departures are smoother, and rideshare pickups transfer quicker outdoors of rush hour.
9. Atlanta Hartsfield–Jackson Worldwide Airport (ATL)
Atlanta stays the nation’s busiest airport, with over 52 million passengers final yr and a robust on-time fee of 87.8% in November. Even when site visitors peaks, this hub tends to get well rapidly.
If you happen to’re flying via:
Count on crowds on the most important journey days, however schedules right here maintain regular. Keep on with morning or early afternoon flights to remain on monitor, and plan additional time to maneuver between concourses.
10. New York John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK)
JFK managed 31.5 million passengers final yr and noticed an 88% on-time fee in November, top-of-the-line amongst giant U.S. hubs. It’s a steadier guess for long-haul flights, particularly through the holidays.
If you happen to’re flying via:
You’ll nonetheless face crowds, however operations right here maintain up nicely. Arrive early, give your self house to verify luggage and clear safety, and revel in a uncommon New York win: an airport that truly runs on time.
A observe earlier than you fly
Vacation journey will at all times have its snarls — an extended taxi line, a crowded gate, that one flight that appears to take ceaselessly to board. However most journeys nonetheless make it to the place they’re going, and a bit of timing goes a good distance. Morning flights are likely to behave higher, longer layovers save complications, and generally it’s price selecting the smaller airport that simply runs smoother. Nevertheless you intend it, pack some persistence, preserve your charger shut, and do not forget that a gradual day within the air nonetheless beats a day spent wishing you had been going someplace.
How airports had been ranked
To search out the airports almost certainly to see delays this November, Means.com in contrast two knowledge factors:
Airports with the bottom on-time charges and highest passenger counts rose to the highest of the checklist, i.e., airports the place even small disruptions have an effect on loads of vacationers.
This story was produced by Means.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
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