A new Upgraded Points study analyzed five years of flight data to identify the U.S. airports and airlines with the highest shares of weather-related delays during the holiday travel months. Across the airports analyzed, weather accounted for an average of 21.9% of delayed flights from November to January.
“Holiday travel brings more people into an already busy air travel system, and weather can add another layer of uncertainty,” said Ryan Smith, Director of News at Upgraded Points. “We looked at five years of data to show travelers where weather has historically played a larger role in delays, so they can plan with a little more context.”
Study Methodology
Upgraded Points analyzed Bureau of Transportation Statistics flight data for the 60 busiest U.S. airports and nine major U.S. airlines. The study measured the share of delayed flights attributed to weather during November, December, and January over the five year period from November 2021 through January 2026.
The Airports Most Affected by Holiday Weather Delays
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) ranked first, with weather accounting for 40.3% of its delayed flights from November through January. LaGuardia Airport (LGA) ranked second at 38.9%, followed by Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) at 32.8%. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) rounded out the top five.
At the other end of the airport ranking, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) had the lowest share of weather-related delays, at 10.2%. Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Kahului Airport (OGG), and Miami International Airport (MIA) were also among the airports with the lowest shares.
Other Key Findings
- December had a slightly higher average share of weather-related delays than January: 23.6% compared with 22.6%.
- Alaska Airlines had the highest share of weather-related delays among the nine airlines analyzed, at 27.8%. United Airlines followed at 25.4%.
- Hawaiian Airlines had the lowest share, at 7.9%, followed by Southwest Airlines at 17.2%.
The results reflect historical delay patterns, not a forecast for this year’s holiday travel. Upgraded Points recommends that travelers check their flight status with their airline and consult the FAA’s National Airspace System Status dashboard for broader airport updates.