Flying during the long Labor Day Weekend can be awfully stressful even when your flights are running on time.
However, the heavy holiday crowds will continue to be compounded by airline staffing issues as we close out the busy summer travel season. That could mean unexpected flight delays and cancellations for some unlucky travelers.
New data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics gathered by Price4Limo reveals that some airlines are more likely than others to experience disruptions over Labor Day Weekend.
Hawaiian Airlines is the best carrier you can fly as it had the lowest cancellation and diversion rates during Labor Day weekend. Hawaiian's average departure delays come in at just 6 percent.
Leading the way for the Big Four U.S. carriers is Delta Air Lines at 9 percent while Alaska Airlines rounds out the list of the three most reliable Labor Day airlines with an average departure delay of 11 percent.
On the other end of the spectrum, JetBlue fares the worst. On average, 20 percent of JetBlue flights are delayed during Labor Day weekend. Ultra-low-cost carriers Allegiant Air and Frontier Airlines aren't much better at 18 percent.
JetBlue aircraft taking off. (Photo Credit: JetBlue)
Meanwhile, United Airlines (14 percent), Spirit Airlines (15 percent), American Airlines (15 percent) and Southwest Airlines (17 percent) rank toward the middle of the pack. Keep in mind that Spirit had the highest average cancellation rate during Labor Day weekend.
When it comes to the best airports for on-time departures this Labor Day Weekend, Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) leads the way at 93 percent on average.
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) also fare well at 91 percent and 90 percent, respectively. Also achieving 90 percent are Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) and Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC).
San Juan, Puerto Rico's Luis Muñoz Martín International Airport (SJU) is most often nagged by delays at 20 percent, followed by Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) at 18 percent. Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL), Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), San Antonio International Airport and Boston Logan International Airport are tied for the third-worst with 17 percent of Labor Day departures taking off behind schedule.
Traveling on the right day this upcoming Labor Day Weekend will improve your chances of reaching your destination on time.
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