ContestsEvents

LISTEN LIVE

Experts Recommend Flying On These Days To Avoid Delays

Rushing to get to the airport, only to find out your flight is delayed can definitely be a frustrating start to a trip, and it happens all the time. Flying…

Airplane flying over tropical sea at sunset , travel concept
murat4art/ Getty Images

Rushing to get to the airport, only to find out your flight is delayed can definitely be a frustrating start to a trip, and it happens all the time. Flying sucks when you're travel is messed up! The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that nearly 20% of flights in 2024 have been delayed, but there are things you can do to help avoid it happening to you.

According to AAA, when you're flying can make a big difference on how likely you are to have a delay. Just in time for the busy summer travel season, here’s what the travel experts recommend.

  • Fridays and Sundays are busier travel days, which means delays are more likely. So, AAA advises flying on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, when airports aren’t so busy.
  • You’re also more likely to score a good deal on flights on those days.
  • Taking the first flight of the day can also help to ensure you won’t get delayed, and if you do have a cancellation or delay, you’ll have more flight options during the day to get you to your destination.
  • Booking a nonstop flight can also help, since adding stops to your trip also increases the likelihood of delays.
  • If you have to fly with a connection, experts say it’s best to leave yourself two hours between on domestic flights and three hours for international flights.
  • Let technology help, as sites like OAG Aviation can advise which airlines and airports are the most on time.
  • According to their annual review, the only U.S. airline that was in the top 20 for punctuality is Delta Airlines.
  • OAG Aviation’s research finds that the best U.S. airports for punctuality are Minneapolis, Detroit, Tucson, Boise and Salt Lake City.