Amid a busy summer travel season, thousands of people are taking to the sky to get away. Whether it be for business purposes or for vacation, many US airports are seeing increased passenger numbers. Last week, some airports set records after handling millions of travelers during the Independence Day weekend. While the majority of airports did not experience major disruptions, others were impacted by inclement weather.
More than 26,000 daily flights have reportedly become a normal part of the summer season. Since the passenger surge is occurring simultaneously, some airport terminals have become crowded even without any flight complications. However, when delays occur, it can be a nightmare for both airlines and airports as they try to rebound as fast as possible. With some major hubs having a reputation for always being busy, some travelers choose to travel through alternate airports.
Jackpot City Casino (JPC) recently studied 60 US airports and ranked them by the number of flight delays. The fewest delays were found at three airports in the eastern section of the country and two on the west coast. Notably, only one airport is a major hub for a legacy carrier, while two other airports are tied at second place. Here are the top five airports with the fewest flight delays:
1. Washington Dulles International Airport
Delayed departures: 14%
As a hub for Chicago-based United Airlines, Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) had the least amount of delays out of all 60 airports in the study. The airport, which shares traffic to and from the Washington DC region with nearby Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), recorded a departure delay percentage of only 14%. United, of course, is the airport’s largest carrier, with approximately 220 daily flights.
Photo: fivetonine | Shutterstock
As part of its international operation, the carrier also operates more than 25 daily nonstop flights to 33 international destinations:
- 14 European destinations
- Two Asian destinations
- 13 Latin American and Caribbean destinations
- Four Canadian destinations
In addition to its performance, IAD achieved a new status last week as the 11th-best airport in the world and second-best in the US, according to AirHelp.
2. Pittsburgh International Airport
Delayed departures: 14.3%
Nestled in Western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) was ranked second with a delayed departure percentage of just over 14%. Fifteen airlines serve the airport, with Southwest Airlines being the largest. Passengers can also travel internationally from PIT on two non-US-based airlines:
- Air Canada
- Icelandair (Seasonal)
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), the bulk of PIT’s traffic is to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and further south at Orlando International Airport (MCO). Southwest and Delta Air Lines serve ATL, while Southwest competes with Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines on the MCO route.
Photo: Raleigh–Durham International Airport
In 2021, PIT made global headlines, becoming the first airport in the world to implement a microgrid, according to Natural Gas Intelligence. The unique, first-of-its-kind grid allows the airport to receive its electricity entirely from natural gas and solar power.
3. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
Delayed departures: 14.3%
Tied with PIT at number two is Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). The airport is located in Boone County, Kentucky, but serves the Cincinnati tri-state area. However, it is not a hub for any US legacy carrier, the airport houses operating bases for some airlines and also has a significant cargo presence. Delta formerly considered CVG a hub, but it dwindled to a focus city after the carrier went bankrupt in 2005 and subsequently merged with Northwest Airlines in 2011.
Photo: Austin Deppe | Shutterstock
CVG’s three busiest markets journey to the South and Rocky Mountain West, according to the BTS:
- ATL – served by Delta and Frontier
- Denver International Airport (DEN) – served by Allegiant Air, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, and United
- MCO – served by Delta, Frontier, and Southwest
4. Boise Airport
Delayed departures: 14.4%
Idaho’s Boise Airport (BOI) had the fourth-fewest departure delays, coming in just 0.1% after PIT and CVG. The airport has service from nine mainline carriers, with Alaska Airlines and Southwest being its largest airlines. Alaska Airlines recently announced it would begin new service to three destinations, further growing BOI’s route network.
In December, the carrier will commence nonstop flights to John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Southern California and seasonal service to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) in Montana on the Embraer E175. The third route will start in January, journeying across the country to MCO on the Boeing 737.
Photo: Denver International Airport
According to BTS data, the top three markets from BOI are on the West Coast:
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) – served by Alaska and Delta
- DEN – served by Southwest and United
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) – served by Delta
5. San José Mineta International Airport
Delayed departures: 14.6%
The Bay Area’s travel demand can be split among three airports, with San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) being the most southern airport in the region. Interestingly, San José is the largest city in the Bay Area by population, but SJC is the second busiest – sandwiched between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport (OAK) – and can be a satisfactory alternative. Southwest Airlines is the largest carrier at SJC, followed by Alaska.
Photo: nyker | Shutterstock
After resuming service to DEN at the end of this month, Frontier Airlines will be sparking significant growth at the airport later this year with service to the following:
- Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- San Diego International Airport (SAN)
SAN is SJC’s top market, followed by SEA and LAX, according to the BTS.
Source: Simple Flying
