What’s behind my flight delay?
We've all experienced it. You get to the airport early, just carrying your luggage, breeze through security with TSA PreCheck, and settle in at the terminal with a coffee—only to discover a delay listed on the flight board. You might think: What’s causing this delay? It’s not your fault; delays happen even when you follow all the right steps.
What leads to flight delays? Key reasons behind them
Thankfully, details about flight delays and cancellations from US airlines have become clearer, thanks to the Department of Transportation (DOT) monthly updates on on-time performance. Unlike their European counterparts, US airlines aren’t automatically obligated to compensate passengers for delays or cancellations (unless you choose not to travel post-cancellation). Indeed, each US airline has its own policies regarding compensation for delays. However, this doesn’t mean you have no rights; airlines outline their obligations in their contracts of carriage, and the DOT ensures compliance.
Additionally, US carriers must report the reasons for their delays to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. While you can’t control the airlines, understanding the reasons behind flight delays can empower you to manage the situation better and possibly minimize future delays.
Continue reading to discover the 5 most frequent reasons for delays.
1. Weather Conditions
Fog, torrential rain, and strong winds: any severe weather can result in flight delays. Temperature fluctuations can also impact schedules. For instance, airlines might need to de-ice a plane, which could take up to 30 minutes during a snowstorm. Moreover, even if you’re experiencing clear skies, adverse weather in your departure city can trigger delays that affect your flight.
Before a delayed flight can resume, passengers must disembark; luggage has to be removed, and the aircraft needs to be cleaned, stocked, and refueled. This process can create a domino effect of further delays.
2. Delays by Air Carriers
When you check the Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ chart on on-time arrival rates, you'll notice a segment labeled “air carrier delays,” which typically represents a significant portion of delays. This category encompasses issues within the airline’s control, such as aircraft cleaning, lengthy baggage loading or unloading, crew-related problems (like needing to replace unfit or absent crew members), and fueling delays.
It also covers unexpected situations that fall under their jurisdiction, including mechanical failures, the removal of disruptive passengers, refilling potable water, and dealing with damage from hazardous materials.
3. Air Traffic Delays
Much like traffic on the roads, congestion in the skies can delay flights—and that airborne traffic can stem from issues on the ground. For example, if a flight departs late from the gate, it can delay the next flight scheduled to use that same gate, leading to a chain reaction. The aircraft can’t just speed up to make up for lost time. Additionally, there’s air traffic: Sometimes air traffic controllers need to hold flights in a holding pattern before they’re cleared to land.
If you’re using Dinogo’s Flight Tracker and notice that your plane left its departure city on schedule, with no adverse weather reported, it might simply be stuck in a traffic backlog.
A telltale sign: If your flight is marked as having arrived, but you can visually confirm it hasn’t reached the gate, it’s likely circling above.
4. Go-Arounds
This is often referred to as a missed approach or an aborted landing. A touch-and-go landing, where the aircraft lands but immediately takes off again, is another variation of a go-around. Such situations can arise from various factors, including strong winds on the runway, landing too fast (resulting in insufficient runway length), fog and clouds that impair visibility, among other reasons.
Delays occur because landing and taking off again, followed by circling and descending once more, takes considerable time.
5. Holding for Connecting Passengers
Airlines typically won’t wait for a few late passengers or even those delayed from a connecting flight. However, operations teams may choose to delay a flight if many connecting passengers would face difficulties rebooking if they miss it. Occasionally, a flight might be held up if luggage transfers from one plane take longer than anticipated.
What to do when your flight is delayed
Whether you’re coping with an unavoidable delay or looking to get rebooked on a different flight, here are some strategies for managing late departures.
Head to the lounge/gym/sleep pod
I’ve faced some truly frustrating flight delays: far too long to remain at the terminal but not enough time to venture into the city for some sightseeing. If you must wait for your flight, you might as well do it in style. I carry two credit cards that grant me access to various lounges.
If you travel often enough, you may discover that the premium food, beverages, showers, and office spaces are worth the investment in a privileged card. You can also purchase memberships to certain lounges, independent of the airline you’re using that day. Increasingly, airports are offering non-lounge amenities, such as yoga rooms, gyms, and sleep pods, which provide day or hourly access.
Request compensation
While federal law does not mandate airlines to compensate you for delays, and the DOT doesn’t clearly define what a “significant delay” is, you still have the right to ask. Airlines create their own policies and can interpret delays as they see fit. In the past, you’d need to dig into your airline’s contract of carriage, but now the DOT offers an aviation consumer dashboard that consolidates the commitments of the ten major airlines in one location.
No airline has guaranteed cash compensation for delays of three hours or more, but they may provide perks at their discretion. For instance, Alaska Airlines offers frequent flyer miles for delays lasting three hours or longer, and along with Hawaiian Airlines, they may provide credit or a travel voucher for such delays.
Seek a rebooking
Being an informed traveler can be beneficial during a delay. Half of the major US carriers promise to rebook passengers on a partner airline or another affiliated airline at no extra charge if there’s a significant delay.
You can get a head start on rebooking by exploring alternative flights on Dinogo.
Request vouchers
Most airlines will provide a meal voucher if a cancellation leads to a three-hour wait for another flight, and all but one will cover hotel expenses. Additionally, all but one airline will reimburse your transportation to and from a hotel if you need to stay overnight due to a significant delay.
Airlines have some flexibility: Just because a travel voucher isn’t explicitly stated in their contract doesn’t mean they won’t issue one if you ask. If you do obtain a travel voucher, inquire about any restrictions such as blackout periods and expiration dates.
Tips for avoiding flight delays
While you can’t influence airlines’ punctuality, there are several strategies to help minimize delays.
Opt for the earliest flight
It’s logical that since delays caused by air carriers and waiting for connecting passengers can lead to a ripple effect throughout the day, booking later flights increases the risk of cascading delays. Most airlines operating in the afternoon or evening have already completed earlier flights that may have encountered delays. By booking the earliest flight, you’re more likely to steer clear of these issues.
Choose airlines known for their punctuality
Global travel data provider OAG monitors the on-time performance of airlines each month and releases an annual report known as the Punctuality League, which ranks the largest airlines worldwide based on their punctuality. OAG defines punctuality as arriving or departing within 15 minutes of the scheduled times. If avoiding delays is essential for you, choosing an airline with a strong on-time record could improve your chances of a smooth journey.
Choose nonstop flights
The more segments you include in your travel itinerary, the greater the likelihood that at least one will experience a delay. If a layover is unavoidable, booking a flight with the same airline for the entire journey increases the chances that they’ll assist you with rebooking.
Dinogo Trips consolidates all your reservations in one location and provides real-time updates on cancellations, delays, and gate changes. You can also check flight delay information using the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) color-coded map, allowing you to anticipate potential delays while en route.
Have a credit card that offers travel protections
Consider looking into credit cards that offer trip cancellation and interruption coverage, which reimburse you for non-refundable trip costs. Alternatively, you can purchase a travel insurance policy that covers expenses the airline doesn’t, such as rental cars.
Additionally, if your luggage experiences a significant delay, many travel insurance policies will also cover baggage loss and delay.
Opt for carry-on luggage
In my family, the golden rule was: Never check a bag. I still adhere to this guideline, even on trips lasting over a week. As delays accumulate, airline baggage handling systems can become less efficient.
If your travel plans include multiple flights, carrying on your luggage reduces the likelihood of arriving without your bags. Furthermore, if your trip is significantly delayed and the airline agrees to rebook you, your choices may be restricted if you’ve checked a bag throughout your journey.
Overview of how this guide was developed
I’m a veteran travel writer who spent years penning a consumer advice column for Travel + Leisure magazine and wrote the “Takeoffs and Landings” column for The Wall Street Journal. Many of my most memorable travel stories have emerged from delays and cancellations, though I understand that being stranded isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time.
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