These Are the Best and Worst Airports for Holiday Travel, According to MarketWatch

The holiday season is nearly upon us, which means it’s time to book those flights to see your parents, in-laws, siblings, family, friends, or even that solo getaway you so desperately need at the end of the year. But before you do, make sure to consider all your flight options because some airports are simply better than others for holiday travelers. 

To help you find the right ones, MarketWatch conducted a survey of 3,000 Americans to learn more about their holiday travel habits. The team found that 61 percent of respondents plan to travel this holiday season, 36 percent intend to fly for the holidays, and they expect to pay an average of $1,869 on holiday air travel.

As for where they should fly out of, the team also analyzed fare and flight disruption data for more than 200 airports based on the 2023 holiday season. 

After crunching the numbers, MarketWatch named Harry Reid International Airport, located outside of Las Vegas, as the best airport for holiday travel. It won out thanks to its lower fares, which run about $100 less than the average major airport ($382). The Orlando airport in Florida came in second thanks to its cheaper-than-average fares but lost out on the top spot due to its slightly higher rate of delays. These airports were joined by Tampa International in Florida in third, followed by LaGuardia in New York, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia, Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport in Minnesota, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Arizona,  Nashville International in Tennessee, Chicago O’Hare International in Illinois, and Salt Lake City International in Utah rounding out the top 10. 

There is, however, good news for travelers who need to fly out of other airports around the nation.

“In general, holiday flight cancellations decreased in 2023 compared to 2022. Only about 0.3 percent of flights were canceled in November 2023 and December 2023, down from 3.33 percent in 2022, with notable improvements in the final two weeks of the year,”  

As for where you may want to avoid, the findings noted that San Francisco International in California was its lowest-ranked airport due to its unusually high fares, while the Seattle/Tacoma International Airport in Washington experienced the most weather-related delays. And Chicago Midway International is one particular airport to try your best to avoid, as it had a higher rate of weather cancellations in November 2023 and December 2023 than “the next four airports combined,” the findings noted. “Chicago Midway has had a rough stretch lately — as it was also ranked the second-most stressful major airport in another recent review.”

The survey found that nearly all Americans surveyed (96 percent) who said they plan to fly this holiday season have concerns about their trip, including 70 percent stating specifically they have fears about delays.

The MarketWatch research team also noted it might be a good idea to avoid Spirit Airlines, which experienced the most delays of any airline during the 2023 season, with 27 percent of its flights getting delayed. However, JetBlue Airways followed closely behind, with 26 percent of its flights also experiencing delays. So, either do your best to make alternative arrangements or learn a few anxiety-reducing tips to help you manage stress while you travel so you’re ready to tackle whatever holiday travel pains come your way.