You'll want to be prepared before you travel into or out of these weather-prone airports
Flying Through One of These 5 Airports? Prepare for Weather-Related Delays
Published on Jul. 14, 2025
Anyone who travels enough knows the feeling: You’re at the airport, you’ve gone through security, you’ve filled your water bottle, purchased your snacks and all that’s left to do is board your plane. Then, while you’re waiting at your gate, all of a sudden, a storm rolls in and your flight gets delayed. Sometimes, it’s even worse—your flight gets canceled. Now, you’re stressed out, trying to rebook and wondering what you could have possibly done differently to avoid the situation.
A new study by InsureMyTrip proves that some airports are actually more likely to experience weather-related flight delays than others, and steering clear of those airports can reduce your chances of having your flight delayed or canceled for weather-related reasons.
Keep reading to find out which airports have the highest percentage of weather-related delays, what you can do to avoid them and how to navigate those unavoidable delays
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How were the airports with the highest percentage of weather delays determined?
InsureMyTrip reviewed data collected from the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), paying close attention to the 75 busiest airports in the United States.
“The DOT BTS keeps track of all delays and cancellations—and the reason for that delay/cancellation,” Suzanne Morrow, CEO of InsureMyTrip, tells Reader’s Digest. “The experts at InsureMyTrip isolated the delays due to weather.”
Which airports have the highest percentage of weather delays?
The United States is a big country with a lot of different climates and weather patterns. So, it’s expected that certain areas—and therefore certain airports—will experience more frequent weather delays than others. The airports with the highest percentage of weather delays are:
- Dallas/Fort Worth International
- Minneapolis−Saint Paul International
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
- Will Rogers World, Oklahoma City
- Gerald R. Ford International, Grand Rapids
How can you avoid weather delays?
The weather is unpredictable, which means it’s impossible to avoid weather delays entirely. However, there are certain travel tips you can employ to help avoid them as much as possible or, at the very least, prevent a catastrophe when dealing with one.
Some helpful tricks to consider include:
- Avoid booking flights into or out of airports that are known for weather delays.
- Book your flights earlier in the morning. This will give you a better chance of getting to your destination in the same day, even if your flight gets delayed.
- “Buy tickets that allow for changes or refunds. Some fare classes may allow free rescheduling or cancellation,” advises Morrow. “If you want to avoid a potential delay because of weather, change your flight early,” she says. “Once a flight is delayed because of weather, everyone will be looking for a new flight, and it will be more difficult (and more expensive) to book a new flight.”
- “Consider flying on airlines with better reputations for handling disruptions smoothly,” she says.
- Book flights on larger airlines that have bigger fleets, because they’re in a better position to sub in a different plane if your flight is delayed en route due to weather from its previous destination.
- Book nonstop flights whenever they’re available to minimize the risk of weather-related delays during a stopover.
- Purchase travel insurance at the time of your booking. While most travel insurance does not cover weather delays, you can usually pay an additional fee to be able to cancel for any reason, and that typically covers weather-related issues.
What should you do if your flight is delayed or canceled due to weather?
Even if you take every possible measure to avoid flight delays or cancellations due to weather, sometimes you can’t escape them. When that happens, there are several strategies you can use to make the disruption as smooth as possible.
- First, confirm the details of the cancellation or delay by checking in with your airline through its app, website or with agents at the gate.
- Get ahead of the curve as soon as it becomes clear that your flight is being delayed or canceled. Rebook as quickly as you can to get the best flight options. While you’re waiting in line at the ticket counter, call the airline’s customer support line or contact chat support so that you have the best chance of getting helped as quickly as possible.
- Make sure you document every interaction you have, be it in person, via chat support or by phone. “Keep records of all notifications and expenses (e.g., meals, hotel stays, receipts),” says Morrow. “This info will be crucial if you file a travel insurance claim.”
- Stay informed of your rights. “U.S. regulations require airlines to compensate passengers in certain delay situations, though not necessarily for weather-related delays (reasons beyond their control like ‘Acts of God’),” Morrow explains. “However, some airlines may offer food vouchers or hotel accommodations voluntarily, so it’s worth asking.”
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Why trust us
Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- InsureMyTrip: Hurricane Season Travel Alert: InsureMyTrip Reveals Airports with the Highest and Lowest Weather Delay Rates
