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These 5 Airports Have The Least Amount Of Delays Right Now

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Planning to travel during the holidays? These are the U.S. airports least likely to experience flight delays right now.

Air travel can be stressful enough in the best of times, but the stress levels are even higher during the busy holiday season.

Happy Woman in Airport

Flight delays are a particularly big issue when traveling around the holidays because they have the potential to ruin your holiday plans and leave you stranded at the airport.

Delays can be caused by staffing shortages, bad weather, and higher-than-average air traffic.

According to recent data from Upgraded Points, these are the U.S. airports where you're least likely to experience flight delays during the holiday season.

Kahului Airport sign

Hawaii Airports

Four Hawaii airports are among the top 100 busiest airports in the U.S., where you're least likely to experience a delay. These airports are:

  • Lihue Airport (LIH)
  • Kahului Airport (OGG)
  • Kona International Airport (KOA)
  • Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)

These airports serve the islands of Kauaʻi, Maui, Hawaiʻi, and O'ahu, respectively. Travelers flying out of any of these airports won't have to worry about delays this holiday season, with the average chance of delay between 16.78% and 19.56%.

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu even takes the prize for the least stressful airport in the United States.

Honolulu Airport garden

Charlotte Douglas International Airport

For travelers flying out of Charlotte, North Carolina this holiday season, you won't have to worry too much about flight delays.

You can rest easy knowing that this airport is actually the second most on-time airport in the country.

Only 17.44% of flights out of Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) are delayed, meaning you're likely not to experience any issues when traveling this winter.

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 1, 2019: Waiting area in Charlotte Douglas International Airport. CLT is the second largest hub for American Airlines with service to 161 domestic and

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport

Another airport that is pretty efficient during the holidays is Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta, Georgia.

This airport is famous for being the busiest in the United States.

Yet despite the high number of travelers passing through this airport daily, only 19.44% of flight departures are delayed around the holidays.

Atlanta,,Usa,-,Dec,16,,2015:,People,,Shops,And,Restaurants

Detroit Metropolitan Airport

Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) is next on the list of airports least likely to experience delays this holiday season.

With your chance of delays at 19.57%, Detroit is a fairly safe bet for flying without any issues right now.

On the flip side, Detroit is one of the most expensive airports in the U.S. to fly out of, with average fares topping $425 for a round-trip flight.

So, while you may not need to worry about flight delays this holiday season, you may find yourself paying a pretty penny for your flight.

DETROIT, MI -24 MAY 2017- View of the McNamara Terminal at the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Metro Airport (DTW), a major airline hub for Delta Airlines (DL).

George Bush Intercontinental Airport

Finally, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Texas is one of the airports least likely to experience delays around the holidays, with the chance right at 20.67%.

This is much better than some other Texas airports when it comes to flight delays, including Houston's other main airport, William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) where your chance of being delayed is over 30%.

If you have a choice of which Houston airport to fly out of, be sure to choose IAH!

Houston George Bush International Airport

Airports With The Most Delays

These are the airports with the fewest delays, but what about the airports where your flight is most likely to be delayed?

Here are the worst U.S. airports for delays around the holidays:

  • El Paso International Airport (ELP) in El Paso, Texas: 32.78% chance of delays
  • Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, Puerto Rico: 30.67% chance of delays
  • Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) in Albuquerque, New Mexico: 30.56% chance of delays
  • San Antonio International Airport (SAT) in San Antonio, Texas: 30.33% chance of delays
  • William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) in Houston, Texas: 30.22% chance of delays

As you can see, travelers flying out of these airports risk a nearly 1-in-3 chance of being delayed.

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