Flying Out of New York for Thanksgiving? These Airlines Run Late the Most

If you're flying out of New York for Thanksgiving, you already know how this goes. You set three alarms, promise yourself you’ll stay calm in the security line, and cross your fingers that your flight actually leaves on time. Thanksgiving week is one of the most chaotic times of the year for air travel, and even a tiny hiccup can turn into hours of waiting at the gate.

New Look at Which Flights Run Late on Thanksgiving

A new analysis of Bureau of Transportation Statistics data took a deep dive into Thanksgiving flight delays going all the way back to 2016. The goal was to pinpoint which airlines and airports tend to keep things moving and where travelers are more likely to hit snags this Thanksgiving. The findings offer a remarkably eye-opening look at what really happens during one of the nation’s busiest travel weekends.

Which Airlines Struggle Most During Thanksgiving

According to the analysis, Southwest and JetBlue have historically been the most delay-prone carriers during the Thanksgiving rush, each with 24.2 percent of their departures running late since 2016. If you’ve ever felt like you spent more time watching the departures board than actually flying with either airline, you’re definitely not alone. Last year, both jumped to 25.9 percent of delayed flights.

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Hawaiian Airlines stood out in the opposite direction, with only 8.6 percent of its Thanksgiving flights delayed historically. Last year, they were sitting at just 10.4 percent. Not exactly a quick solution for New Yorkers, but impressive nonetheless.

Airports Where Thanksgiving Travel Slows Down

Orlando Sanford International tops the list nationwide with 29.3 percent of Thanksgiving departures delayed from 2016 to 2024. But Newark Liberty International is right behind it with 23.6 percent. If you’ve spent time watching planes sit motionless on the tarmac at Newark around the holidays, the numbers back you up. Meanwhile, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International is the steadiest of the bunch with just 11.9 percent of Thanksgiving flights delayed.

The Five Airports With the Most Thanksgiving Delays in 2024

If you’re traveling this year, here are the airports that struggled the most with delays last Thanksgiving:

• Orlando Sanford: 33.4 percent
• Newark Liberty: 31.9 percent
• San Francisco: 23.1 percent
• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood: 21.6 percent
• San Diego: 20.2 percent

So if your plans take you through Newark, pack a charger, a snack, and maybe a little extra patience.

Preparing Yourself for the Thanksgiving Travel Rush

This isn’t meant to stress you out, especially if you’re heading home to spend time with the people you love. It’s simply a look at what tends to happen during Thanksgiving travel so you can plan ahead. Keep an eye on your airline’s app, build in a little wiggle room if you’re making tight connections, and try to give yourself as much breathing room as you can.

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And if you do end up delayed, grab a coffee, take a moment, and remember millions of other travelers are right there with you trying to make it home for the holiday. Safe travels, and here’s hoping your flight is one of the smooth ones this year.