Flying during the summer travel season this year has been difficult for many people. Flight cancellations and delays are causing travelers to alter their plans, making travel feel more like a burden than anything. Though this issue seems to be happening worldwide, some airports and airlines have been running into problems more than others. If you plan on traveling this summer or anytime during 2022, here’s what you should know:
Why Are There so Many Flight Cancellations and Delays?
There has been a significant increase in the number of flight cancellations and delays during the summer travel season this year. Though these cancellations and delays cannot be pinpointed to just one thing, pilot shortages and the demand for revenge travel seem to be the main factors. Hopefully, the number of cancellations will decline throughout the remainder of 2022.
What Airports Are the Worst For Cancellations and Delays?
Though airports worldwide are having issues, European airports seem to be leading the way in flight delays. According to CNN Travel, seven out of the ten worst airports for delays this summer are located in Europe. This includes Frankfurt Airport, London’s Heathrow Airport, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, and Munich Airport.
Though, the number one airport for delays isn’t actually located in Europe. Toronto Pearson International Airport in Canada takes the number one spot for flight delays, and interestingly enough, only one U.S. airport (Orlando International Airport) made the list at number ten.
When it comes to the airports that are worst for flight cancellations, these locations are spread out across the globe. The five worst airports for cancellations are:
- Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport
- Newark Liberty International Airport
- LaGuardia Airport,
- Toronto Pearson International Airport
- Soekarno–Hatta International Airport.
How Can I Avoid Flight Delays?
If you’re looking to avoid flight delays, there are a few things that you can do. First, try to fly nonstop whenever possible. Taking a flight with multiple connections only increases your chances of being delayed. Another thing you can do to avoid delays is book an early flight. If you take a flight later in the day, your chances of having a delay significantly increase.
What Can I Do if My Flight Gets Cancelled?
If your flight gets canceled, you should try to stay calm and not panic. Flight cancellations are a pain and not ideal, but panicking will only worsen things. Instead, sort through your options. Here’s what we recommend:
- See if your airline can transfer your ticket to another flight
- Check if there’s another flight on a different airline
- Try and get your money back, and make alternative arrangements
If you’re worried that your flight will get canceled, you may want to consider getting travel insurance ahead of time to ease your nerves and to protect yourself.
Will This Spike in Flight Cancellations and Delays Continue?
We genuinely hope that the number of canceled flights and flight delays significantly decreases over the next few months. But unfortunately, there’s no telling if this will happen. To help the situation, many airlines have been cutting back on the number of flights they offer and are actively trying to hire more pilots to fill open positions. All in all, only time will tell if this spike will continue.
Though there has been a rise in flight cancellations and delays, it doesn’t mean that you should cancel your travel plans. There’s so much to see in the world, and you shouldn’t let a “what if” ruin your travel experience. If you do plan on traveling this year and need a passport, we can help! You can get the application process started on the Swift website. No matter where you plan on going, we’ll get you there!
