Tuesday Morning Rush: Airports Buzzing Early

Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often the quietest days at airports. This is because fewer people are travelling mid-week, as people are reluctant to take time off work. However, this is not always the case, as some airports are busier on weekends due to people taking weekend trips or extended vacations. Generally, weekends and holidays are busier and more expensive, especially Friday evenings and Sunday mornings.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays are quieter

Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often the quietest days at the airport. This is because fewer people are travelling mid-week, as people are reluctant to take time off work. Mid-week flights are also cheaper, as they are less popular.

If you want to avoid the crowds, it is worth considering travelling on a Tuesday or a Wednesday. These days tend to be quieter because people usually prefer to travel on a Friday or a Monday, either to start their trip over the weekend or to return home before the working week begins.

Business travel is also a factor. Most business trips take place on Mondays and Fridays, so there is a higher demand for flights on those days. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are less busy because there are fewer business travellers, and therefore more seats available.

While there is no definitive answer as to which day is the quietest, and it may vary from airport to airport, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are a good bet if you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the airport.

If you can't avoid travelling on a busy day, there are still ways to make your experience smoother. Travelling early in the morning or late at night can help you avoid the crowds, as fewer people are familiar with these airport routines.

Early morning flights are quieter

Although it can be challenging to wake up early for a flight, booking the first flight of the day has its advantages. Here are some reasons why early morning flights are generally quieter and less busy:

Thin Air Traffic

Early morning flights are less likely to be delayed due to thin air traffic. As explained by Forbes, airspace is less crowded in the morning as all the previous day's flights have already landed. However, as the day progresses and planes start building up, air traffic controllers may need to delay departures and landings. Therefore, booking a morning flight increases your chances of a smoother travel experience without delays.

Higher Chance of Rebooking

In the unfortunate event of a cancellation or a missed flight, travelling in the morning gives you a better chance of being rebooked on another flight the same day. This is especially beneficial during the busy summer travel season when planes are expected to be full and finding an empty seat can be challenging. By flying early, you have the whole day's slate of flights to choose from if you need to be rebooked.

Lower Risk of Turbulence

Afternoon thunderstorms are common, especially during the spring and summer months. These storms can cause weather-related delays, even in cities where the skies are clear. By choosing an early morning flight, you reduce the likelihood of experiencing turbulence and delays caused by afternoon thunderstorms.

Cheaper Fares

According to data compiled by Kayak for Travel + Leisure in 2023, the cheapest international flights departing from the US take off between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m. On average, early morning flights are 13% cheaper than those departing in the early afternoon. So, if you're looking for a quieter and more affordable travel experience, booking an early morning flight is a great option.

Less Stressful Experience

Arriving at the airport early in the morning can make the entire travel experience less stressful. You'll have more time to navigate through check-in, security, and boarding without the chaos of peak travel times. Additionally, you're more likely to have a smoother journey as there are fewer passengers familiar with airport routines during early morning hours.

Business travellers vs. leisure travellers

Airports tend to be busy on Tuesday mornings due to a combination of business and leisure travellers. While Tuesdays are generally less busy than other weekdays, there is still a significant number of travellers, including those on business trips or with flexible work schedules.

Business travellers often prefer to fly on Tuesdays to start their work week or to attend meetings and conferences. They usually aim for early morning or late-night flights to maximise their productivity and minimise time away from the office. This means that Tuesday mornings can see an influx of business travellers, especially at airports catering to business hubs.

On the other hand, leisure travellers also contribute to airport traffic on Tuesdays. Some leisure travellers may choose to take advantage of mid-week flights to secure cheaper fares and avoid the weekend rush. This is especially true for travellers looking for a quick getaway or those with flexible work arrangements. By flying on a Tuesday, they can often find lower airfares and less crowded airports.

The mix of business and leisure travellers on Tuesday mornings can vary depending on the airport's location and the time of year. Major hubs such as New York, London, or Dubai may see a higher proportion of business travellers, while leisure destinations like Miami or resort towns may have more vacationers. Additionally, holiday seasons and long weekends can shift the balance, with leisure travellers often taking precedence during these periods.

To summarise, Tuesday mornings can be busy at airports due to the combination of business travellers starting their work week and leisure travellers taking advantage of mid-week travel. The balance between these two types of travellers fluctuates based on various factors, but both contribute to airport traffic on Tuesdays.

Busiest times at 10 major US airports

While there is no definitive answer to which day of the week is the quietest at airports, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often less busy for air travel. This is because mid-week flights require travellers to take more days off work, which people are usually reluctant to do. Mid-week fares are also generally cheaper than weekends.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For instance, if your flight is in partnership with a package holiday company, the quietest day will be the changeover day, which is usually the weekend but can sometimes be mid-week.

If you want to avoid the crowds, it's also worth considering the time of day you travel. Generally, the early morning is the quietest time at the airport, with fewer people willing to travel at that hour. Flying late can also be a good option, although there may be more business travellers at this time.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

• Busiest time of day: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Average reported wait time: 19 minutes

Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)

• Busiest time of day: 4 a.m. to 5 a.m.
• Average reported wait time: 23 minutes

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

• Busiest time of day: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Average reported wait time: 23 minutes

Miami International Airport (MIA)

• Busiest time of day: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Average reported wait time: 24 minutes

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

• Busiest time of day: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Average reported wait time: 25 minutes

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

• Busiest time of day: 1 a.m. to 2 a.m. and 11 p.m. to 12 a.m.
• Average reported wait time: 26 minutes

Denver International Airport (DEN)

• Busiest time of day: 4 a.m. to 5 a.m.
• Average reported wait time: 30 minutes

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

• Busiest time of day: 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Average reported wait time: 31 minutes

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)

• Busiest time of day: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Average reported wait time: 31 minutes

Chicago-O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

• Busiest time of day: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Average reported wait time: 36 minutes

Cheaper flights on Tuesdays

Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often less busy for air travel due to fewer passengers travelling mid-week. This is because mid-week flights require travellers to take more days off work, which people are usually reluctant to do. As a result, mid-week fares are often cheaper than flights on weekends.

While there is no definitive answer about which day of the week is the quietest, Tuesdays are generally a good option for cheaper flights. This is because business travellers tend to avoid travelling in the middle of the week, so Mondays and Fridays are more expensive than Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

However, it's important to note that the idea that airfares are cheaper on specific days like Tuesdays is a common misconception. Flight prices are dynamic and fluctuate constantly based on real-time demand, competition, and other factors.

To get the best deal, it's recommended to book one to three months in advance for domestic flights and two to eight months in advance for international flights. Booking during off-peak seasons and avoiding holidays can also help you find cheaper flights.

Additionally, early morning flights are usually less popular and tend to be cheaper since people prefer waking up later for their flights. These early flights also have a higher on-time arrival rate compared to afternoon or evening flights.

So, while Tuesdays can be a good option for cheaper flights, it's important to consider other factors such as booking in advance, travelling during off-peak seasons, and choosing early morning flights to maximize your chances of finding the best deals.

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