The upcoming holiday season at New York City’s airports will see a stark contrast between LaGuardia and JFK in terms of reliability and pricing. LaGuardia has been recently crowned the best major airport for holiday travel, boasting an 86% on-time departure rate and average airfare costs of $346. Last season, LaGuardia only had 0.22% of flights canceled due to weather, making it a favorable choice for travelers in comparison to JFK.
On the other hand, JFK has been labeled as the third worst major airport during the December holiday season. Flights out of JFK are significantly more expensive than those out of LaGuardia, with an average cost of $441. Additionally, nearly 17% of flights out of JFK experienced delays, and the airport had 0.12% of flights canceled due to weather in 2023. This makes JFK a less desirable option for holiday travel compared to its Queens counterpart.
A report using Bureau of Transportation Statistics survey data revealed that 96% of people are feeling uneasy about their upcoming holiday travel. The top concerns for travelers include delays, weather affecting travel, crowded airports, and cancellations. Passenger disturbances on board were the least common worry among travelers, at only 19%. These statistics highlight the apprehensions that travelers have when it comes to navigating airports during the holiday season.
Based on the data from the previous year, airlines were ranked according to their flight delay and cancellation percentages. Spirit Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Frontier Airlines were among the top airlines with the highest percentages of delays and cancellations. This information can help travelers anticipate potential challenges they may face with certain airlines during the busy holiday season.
Similarly, airports were also ranked based on their flight delay percentages, cancellation percentages, and average flight costs during November and December of 2023. Harry Reid International in Las Vegas, Orlando International, and Tampa International were among the best-ranked airports for holiday travel, while Seattle/Tacoma International, Dallas/Fort Worth International, and Logan International were among the worst-ranked airports. These rankings can guide travelers in selecting airports that offer better reliability and affordability during the holiday season.
Overall, the upcoming holiday season at New York City’s airports will see LaGuardia emerge as a top choice for travelers seeking a reliable and affordable travel experience. Meanwhile, JFK faces challenges with higher flight costs and more delays, making it a less desirable option for holiday travel. Travelers can use the data on airline and airport rankings to make informed decisions and better navigate the potential challenges associated with holiday travel.
