The 10 Worst US Airports for Flight Cancellations Last Week – Forbes Advisor [Boss Insurance]

A spring storm kept more than 330 flights grounded at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport last week, making it the airport with the most delays, as hail and severe storms battered the city of winds. An analysis of FlightAware data by Forbes Advisor found that 4,310 flights were canceled nationwide from April 2 to April 9, 2023, with 1,648 occurring at the top 10 airports for cancellations.

US airports with the most cancellations

An analysis of FlightAware data reveals that 2% of flights were canceled at Chicago O’Hare International Airport last week. At Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, 1% of flights were cancelled.

Here are the US airports with the most flight cancellations from April 2 through April 9.

Airlines with the most cancellations

Some airlines are more prone to cancellations and delays than others, which can influence the carrier you choose for your trip. In some cases, it may be worth spending a little extra money on a ticket with an airline other than your usual choice, depending on its recent performance. Delta had the most cancellations last week: 2.07% of its flights were cancelled. United was just behind Delta, with 0.89% of canceled flights.

Here are the airlines with the most cancellations last week.

How to get travel insurance that helps with flight cancellations and delays

If you are considering buying a travel insurance policy for your next trip, choose one that helps you manage flight cancellations and delays.

Trip cancellation insurance can reimburse money you lose in non-refundable travel expenses for specific reasons set out in the policy, such as mechanical breakdowns, extreme weather conditions and airport security issues. Keep in mind that all the chaos that has been happening during travel lately will not fall under these reasons.

Travel insurance policies sometimes include trip delay insurance, which will cover the costs while you wait for your changed flight. It can reimburse you for accommodation, meals and transportation costs that you may incur while you are late.

Some travel credit cards offer the benefit of travel protection, making them a valuable tool for booking your airfare. These benefits are usually not as comprehensive as travel insurance policies, but they can cover travel delays, baggage delays and lost baggage delays. The amount covered varies by credit card, so check your benefits.

Tips for dealing with flight delays and cancellations

Flight cancellations and delays are an unpleasant experience for all parties involved. Not only are travel disrupted, but airline workers are tasked with managing the heightened emotions of dissatisfied customers as they work out the puzzle of rerouting or rebooking an itinerary.

These tips can help you manage flight cancellations and make the most of a frustrating situation:

Defend yourself. While it’s always helpful to speak with an airline representative in person at the airport, try time-saving strategies like logging into the airline’s app while waiting in line to get assistance at the airport and finding alternative flights that fit your schedule. That way, you can come up with a plan that works for you, rather than impulsively accepting whatever the airline agent offers you.

Know your rights. As a passenger and paying customer, you have rights when your trip is delayed or cancelled. Some airlines are required to rebook you on the next available flight, and some may even allow you to travel on a partner airline instead, which opens up your rebooking options.

If your flight is canceled due to something within the airline’s control, you may be eligible for meal vouchers or an overnight stay (remember, bad weather would not be included here!). If you are flying within the European Union, you have more comprehensive rights, including cash compensation up to 600 Euros when flights are canceled or significantly delayed for reasons beyond the airline’s control. Any airline that flies within the EU is bound by this law, including US-based airlines.

Be smart with checked baggage. Checked bags are a source of pain on travel these days, with horror stories of bags appearing days after weddings, arriving destroyed or lost entirely. If you booked your plane ticket with a credit card, check your benefits guide to see if you have coverage for lost or delayed baggage. It can cover the cost of essential purchases, like toiletries or a change of clothes, until your bag shows up. If you are traveling internationally and your baggage is lost, you may be entitled to a refund.