• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
LifestyleFlight Delays

The avoid list: These airports have the greatest chance of flight delays and cancellations this summer

By
Christine Mui
Christine Mui
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Christine Mui
Christine Mui
Down Arrow Button Icon
July 21, 2022, 6:47 PM ET
Travelers are seen at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on June 20, 2022. The Canadian federal government started to suspend vaccination requirements against COVID-19 for domestic and outbound travel, federally regulated transportation sectors and federal government employees as of June 20.
Travelers are seen at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on June 20, 2022. The Canadian federal government started to suspend vaccination requirements against COVID-19 for domestic and outbound travel, federally regulated transportation sectors and federal government employees as of June 20. Zou Zheng—Xinhua/Getty Images

International air travel is making a strong recovery from the pandemic but not all vacationers have made it to their intended summer destinations, at least on time and with all their luggage. 

Packed planes, pilot shortages, and weather delays are all taking a toll on flight schedules, resulting in thousands of disrupted trips. So far this year, airports have canceled roughly 130,000 U.S. flights, according to FlightAware, compared to 122,000 for the entirety of 2021.

Certain airports, like London’s Heathrow, have been frequently in the headlines for allowing unclaimed luggage to pile up and travelers to linger in hours-long lines. In a controversial move, Heathrow Airport also capped its departing passengers to no more than 100,000 per day and extended that limit this week to until the end of October. 

But FlightAware data since around Memorial Day Weekend indicates that even within the U.K. alone, another airport has had a slightly greater proportion of its scheduled flights delayed. Gatwick Airport ranks fifth in the world for delayed flights, with more than 41% of scheduled flights not arriving on time, while Heathrow followed as sixth with 40% of its flights delayed. 

Europe has been hit particularly hard by flight disruptions. The continent is home to seven of the world’s worst airports in terms of flight delays this summer, though one airport in Canada has them beat. 

Passengers flying into Toronto Pearson International Airport this summer saw the majority of their trips, a whopping 52.5%, experience delays. On Tuesday, Air Canada introduced new policies that let passengers with connections at Toronto Pearson change their flights for free, subject to availability, due to “longer than usual delays.” 

When it comes to cancellations, those flying out of airports in China and the United States experienced the most missed trips this summer. Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport leads with nearly 8% of scheduled flights canceled, and China’s Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport are also among the worst 10 airports globally for cancellations. 

“We’ve seen huge cancellations in China pretty consistently since the pandemic began,” Kathleen Bangs, a spokesperson for FlightAware, told Fortune. Though the Chinese government hasn’t cited any particular causes for the cancellations, Bangs said she believes the country’s zero-COVID strategy and travel restrictions have contributed to the trend. 

Joining Shenzhen’s airport in the top three for flight cancellations are two in the New York City area — Newark Liberty International Airport and LaGuardia Airport, each with roughly 7% of its scheduled flights canceled. Those cancellations are more likely to impact those traveling within the U.S., rather than hopping on a plane abroad, according to Bangs. 

“In the U.S., generally speaking – international flights are less likely to get canceled than a domestic flight – simply because the cascading effects are too great,” Bangs said.

Here are the worst offenders of this summer’s travel chaos, based on FlightAware data from May 26 to July 19. 

Airports with the greatest percentage of flights delayed: 

  1. Canada: Toronto Pearson International Airport – 52.5% 
  2. Germany: Frankfurt Airport – 45.4% 
  3. France: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport – 43.2% 
  4. Netherlands: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol – 41.5% 
  5. United Kingdom: Gatwick Airport – 41.1% 
  6. United Kingdom: Heathrow Airport – 40.5% 
  7. Germany: Munich International Airport – 40.4% 
  8. Greece: Athens International Airport – 37.9%
  9. Australia: Sydney Airport – 34.2% 
  10. United States: Orlando International Airport – 33.4% 

Airports with the greatest percentage of flights canceled: 

  1. China: Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport – 7.9% 
  2. United States: Newark Liberty International Airport – 7.4% 
  3. United States: LaGuardia Airport – 7% 
  4. Canada: Toronto Pearson International Airport – 6.5% 
  5. Indonesia: Soekarno-Hatta International Airport – 6.2% 
  6. Australia: Sydney Airport – 5.9% of flights canceled
  7. China: Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport – 5.2%
  8. United States: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport – 5%
  9. China: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport – 4.6% 
  10. Netherlands: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol – 3.9%
Sign up for the Fortune Features email list so you don’t miss our biggest features, exclusive interviews, and investigations.
About the Author
By Christine Mui
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Lifestyle

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Lifestyle

Asia’s ultra-luxury Capella Hotels brand plans to double its portfolio by 2030, starting with Florence and Riyadh
Travel & LeisureHospitality
Asia’s ultra-luxury Capella Hotels brand plans to double its portfolio by 2030, starting with Florence and Riyadh
By Angelica AngMay 8, 2026
3 hours ago
You’re probably safe from the Hantavirus outbreak, but here’s what you absolutely must not do, experts say
PoliticsCoronavirus
You’re probably safe from the Hantavirus outbreak, but here’s what you absolutely must not do, experts say
By Catherina GioinoMay 8, 2026
8 hours ago
The Best Online Personal Trainers of 2026: In-Depth Workout Coaching at Home
HealthDietary Supplements
The Best Online Personal Trainers of 2026: In-Depth Workout Coaching at Home
By Emily PharesMay 8, 2026
9 hours ago
Airfare is up 15%, gas is past $4, and SAP Concur data shows business travel is quietly breaking
Travel & Leisuregas prices
Airfare is up 15%, gas is past $4, and SAP Concur data shows business travel is quietly breaking
By Catherina GioinoMay 8, 2026
12 hours ago
golf
Commentarybooks
How playing golf alone can make you better at your job
By Gary BelskyMay 8, 2026
17 hours ago
naomi
Commentarymental health
Naomi Osaka: the things I didn’t do to succeed
By Naomi OsakaMay 8, 2026
18 hours ago

Most Popular

California farmers must destroy 420,000 peach trees after Del Monte closes its canneries and cancels more than $550 million in long-term contracts
North America
California farmers must destroy 420,000 peach trees after Del Monte closes its canneries and cancels more than $550 million in long-term contracts
By Sasha RogelbergMay 7, 2026
1 day ago
'Blue dot fever' plagues musicians like Post Malone, Meghan Trainor, and Zayn as a growing list of artists cancel tours due to lagging ticket sales
Arts & Entertainment
'Blue dot fever' plagues musicians like Post Malone, Meghan Trainor, and Zayn as a growing list of artists cancel tours due to lagging ticket sales
By Dave Lozo and Morning BrewMay 7, 2026
1 day ago
A Michigan farm town voted down plans for a giant OpenAI-Oracle data center. Weeks later, construction began
Magazine
A Michigan farm town voted down plans for a giant OpenAI-Oracle data center. Weeks later, construction began
By Sharon GoldmanMay 6, 2026
3 days ago
U.S. Treasury will have to borrow $2 trillion this year just to continue functioning—more than $166 billion every month
Economy
U.S. Treasury will have to borrow $2 trillion this year just to continue functioning—more than $166 billion every month
By Eleanor PringleMay 7, 2026
2 days ago
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky warns two types of people won’t survive the AI era: ‘pure people managers’ and workers who resist change
Success
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky warns two types of people won’t survive the AI era: ‘pure people managers’ and workers who resist change
By Emma BurleighMay 7, 2026
2 days ago
Current price of oil as of May 8, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of May 8, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerMay 8, 2026
16 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.