Frequent flyers have come to expect flight delays. Sometimes it’s due to weather, shortage of staff or just bad scheduling. New research by Go Compare has revealed the best and worst of 25 UK airports for delays.
Perhaps unsurprisingly the most delays occurred during the traditional holiday season – July and August. While off peak months saw average flight delays reduce to 10 minutes and flight cancellations of just 1 or 2 per cent.
February is officially the best month to fly to avoid delays – an average delay of only 10 minutes during 2023. Meanwhile, July had average delays of 24 minutes in the study, making it the least punctual month for air travel.
Winter emerged as the best season to travel, with February, November, and January topping the list for the lowest average delay times. Liverpool John Lennon, Southend, and East Midlands International Airport were the most reliable during these months, with average delays of less than 15 minutes.
Best time of year for reduced flight delays:
August and July proved to be the least reliable months for timely travel, with average delay times below 25 minutes. But if flyers do decide to travel during the summer months, Teesside International and Southend are the most reliable, offering average delays of only 14 and 13 minutes respectively.
London City was crowned the most punctual over 2023, with the average flight delay lasting only 13 minutes.
Rhys Jones, travel insurance expert for Go.Compare, said:
“It’s clear that the off-peak months are better for flight punctuality. The summer months are incredibly popular among passengers. This, along with unpredictable summer weather, means that airports are more likely to suffer from delays. But our figures also show that some airports are more punctual than others. If you can, try to fly from an airport which sees fewer delays to minimise your chances of encountering setbacks.”