Holidays are here! Planning a festive getaway? We’re crossing our fingers for you, and hopefully you packed an extra dose of patience, and maybe a backup charger. According to a recent report from USA TODAY, San Diego has earned a spot that no city wants: it’s officially the third least reliable airport in the United States.
SAN is the third least reliable airport for holiday flight delays
While America’s Finest City is world-famous for its perfect weather, that sunshine doesn’t seem to translate to the flight boards. The rankings analyzed performance data leading into the busy 2024-2025 holiday corridor. Unfortunately, findings suggest that travelers at SAN are more likely to face delays or cancellations than almost anywhere else in the country. In fact, only Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) had worse scores.
Why are the delays so bad in San Diego?
While the report doesn’t pin it on one single factor, it’s probably because our city faces unique challenges. We have the busiest single-runway airport in the nation, so there is no margin for error. One minor mechanical issue can cause a massive chain of delays that lasts all day. When you combine that infrastructure with the surge of holiday travelers, you get a recipe for a stressful afternoon at the gate.
What does this mean for you? If you’re flying out of SAN, the ‘arrive two hours early’ is a rule, not a suggestion. Check your flight status before you leave the house, and consider booking the first flight of the morning. Statistically, it’s less likely to be derailed by the day’s mounting delays.
The most reliable airports in the US
On the other hand, here are the most reliable airports in the nation:
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) – 85.91% on time
- Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) – 84.08% on time
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – 83.03% on time
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) – 82.54% on time
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) – 82.42% on time
For more info and data, check out the original article here.