January Blues: Airports With Slow Seasons

January is a great time to travel if you want to avoid the crowds. The first few days of the month, however, are a different story. Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations continue into the new year, and airports are packed with holidaymakers. But, if you can wait until the second half of the month, you'll find airports much quieter. This is because most people are back at work and the kids are back at school. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, and some airports are busier than others in January due to weather conditions and other factors.

Airports with the most cancellations and delays in winter

While the second half of January is generally a quiet time for flying, winter weather can cause flight delays and cancellations at certain airports. Nine out of ten airports that topped the list for the most delays and cancellations usually experience some form of winter precipitation, which can slow down or halt airline travel.

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey had the highest percentage of delayed and cancelled flights among the largest US airports during the last six winter months. An average of 29% of flights faced a delay or cancellation. Northern New Jersey is close enough to the storm paths crossing the Great Lakes region and the St. Lawrence Valley to experience significant snowfall, which can play havoc with arriving and departing planes.

Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)

Boston Logan International Airport had a higher share of cancelled flights than Chicago O'Hare International Airport during the winter of 2019-2020, causing it to rank higher on the list of top cancellations.

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

Chicago O'Hare International Airport had more than 108,000 scheduled flights during the winter of 2019-2020, compared to just over 48,000 at Boston Logan International Airport. Despite having fewer cancellations, Chicago O'Hare International Airport still ranked high on the list of combined cancellations and delays.

Denver International Airport (DEN)

Denver International Airport is another airport that experiences a high rate of combined cancellations and delays during the winter months. Denver is known for its winter storms, which can impact airline travel.

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

Kennedy International Airport is another airport that often experiences winter precipitation, which can slow down or halt airline travel. A winter storm impacting a large airport hub such as Kennedy International can lead to thousands of cancellations.

The impact of weather on airline travel

Weather conditions can significantly impact airline travel, causing disruptions, delays, and cancellations. Winter weather, in particular, can create challenges for airports and airlines, leading to potential travel woes for passengers.

During the winter months, snow, ice, and freezing temperatures can disrupt flight operations and impact safety. Airports in regions prone to winter storms and heavy snowfall often experience a higher number of cancellations and delays. For instance, northern parts of the United States, including cities like Newark, Chicago, Boston, and Denver, frequently face winter weather-related disruptions. A single winter storm can lead to thousands of cancellations, affecting both departing and arriving flights.

To mitigate the impact of weather on their travel plans, passengers are advised to stay informed about weather forecasts and potential travel disruptions. Checking weather forecasts a few days before the scheduled flight can help travellers anticipate potential issues. Additionally, being flexible with travel dates and choosing to fly during quieter periods, such as the second half of January, can reduce the chances of weather-related delays.

While weather conditions can cause travel inconveniences, airlines and airports are taking proactive measures to minimise delays and cancellations. For example, airlines may cut less popular routes to ensure sufficient personnel and resources for popular routes during peak travel seasons. By staying informed, being flexible, and choosing strategic travel dates, passengers can improve their travel experience and reduce the impact of weather-related disruptions.

The best days to fly

If you're flying for the holidays, it's worth noting that the days with the highest passenger volumes tend to be the Friday and Monday of that week. The Sunday after Thanksgiving, for example, is a popular day for people to fly back, so you may want to consider flying back on Black Friday or the Monday after. Similarly, the four days before Christmas Eve are likely to be busy, so it's recommended to depart earlier in the week. For New Year's, a Saturday or Monday flight is preferable to the traditionally busy Sunday.

If you're flying domestically, you may be able to find cheaper flights on the actual holiday, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, this may not be ideal if you want to maximize your time off.

When it comes to the time of day, mornings tend to be the busiest, with the highest volume of seats scheduled to depart between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. However, the first flight of the day is recommended as flights departing after 9 a.m. are twice as likely to be delayed. If you're not an early bird, flying late at night is also a good option. While there may be more travelers, they are likely to be frequent flyers who are familiar with airport routines, reducing congestion.

Lastly, it's worth noting that the specific airport you're flying from can also impact the busyness and potential delays. For example, northern airports like Newark Liberty International, Chicago's O'Hare International, and Denver International tend to experience more delays and cancellations due to winter weather conditions.

The worst days to fly

While January is generally a quieter month for airports, there are still some days that are best avoided. The worst days to fly are often weekends and holidays, with Friday evenings and Sunday mornings being the busiest times. This is because leisure travellers tend to fly on these days to maximise their time off work, and business travellers often fly on Sundays to get a head start on the week.

The days surrounding major holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's, are also notoriously busy. In 2024, the TSA expected to screen nearly 40 million travellers between December 19 and January 2, with the highest passenger volumes on December 20, 27, and 30. The days immediately before Christmas Eve, December 20-23, are usually busy, and it is recommended to depart earlier in the week if possible. For the return journey, it is best to avoid the Thursday and Friday after Christmas, as many people will be travelling home.

When it comes to specific dates in January, New Year's Day can be a good day to fly, as most people will want to avoid travelling on this day, although you may have limited flight options and miss out on New Year's Eve activities. The second half of January is generally a good time to fly, as it falls between the holidays and is outside of the peak travel season.

Additionally, it is worth considering the time of day when planning your travel. Mornings are typically the busiest time at airports, with the highest volume of seats scheduled to depart between 8 am and 12 pm. However, flying early in the morning or late at night can provide a quieter experience, as there will be fewer passengers familiar with airport routines.

The quietest time to fly

When it comes to the time of year, the quietest months to fly are typically the months between holidays, such as the second half of January, the first few days of February, early May, and most of September and October. This is because holidays and peak travel seasons tend to result in crowded airports and higher airfares. For example, the TSA expects nearly 40 million travellers to pass through airport security checkpoints between December 19, 2024, and January 2, 2025. The days with the highest passenger volumes are expected to be December 20, December 27, and December 30.

It is worth noting that some airports tend to experience more delays and cancellations during the winter months due to winter storms and precipitation. For example, Newark Liberty International Airport has the highest percentage of delayed and cancelled flights among the largest US airports over the past six winters. Other airports with high rates of cancellations and delays include Denver International, Chicago's O'Hare International, and New York's John F. Kennedy International.

To find the quietest time to fly, it is recommended to research the specific airport and consider travelling during off-peak times and days of the week.

Frequently asked questions