These 10 US Airports Experience the Most Flight Disruptions

The world's leading air passenger rights company, AirHelp, recently crunched the numbers to determine the 10 U.S. airports were passengers experienced the most flight delays and cancellations in 2018. Although the list includes many of the nation's busiest airports, the numbers may surprise you.

The fact that Chicago's O'Hare International Airport experienced 115,900 disrupted flights in 2018 is notable but not all that surprising given that it recently overtook Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport as the country's busiest (more than 903,000 arrivals and departures). It's also United Airlines' largest hub and impacted by inclement weather more so than most other airports during the winter months.

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport reported 75,600 flight disruptions last year. For perspective, that's more than 40,000 fewer than O'Hare. DFW is among the top five busiest airports in the country and is American Airlines' largest hub.

Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport experienced 75,400 disrupted flights in 2018, which isn't bad considering it had 895,000 arrivals and departures. As an interesting side note, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials seized more firearms at ATL (298) than any other U.S. airport last year.

Surprisingly, North Carolina's Charlotte Douglas International Airport ranks fourth-worst for flight disruptions, experiencing 61,700 in 2018. The airport serves more than 160 destinations around the world and is American Airlines' second-largest hub behind only DFW.

Few who have ever flown into or out of the New York metropolitan area will be stunned to learn that Newark Liberty International Airport experienced 61,300 flight disruptions in 2018. The good news is that relief for delayed passengers is coming in the form of a new terminal.

Air travelers on the West Coast aren't immune to headaches either as Los Angeles International Airport saw 60,700 flight delays and cancellations last year. Keep in mind that LAX is the only airport that's been designated as a hub by four U.S. legacy carriers, including Alaska Airlines, American, Delta and United.

With 59,100 disrupted flights in 2018, Denver International Airport checks in at seventh-worst in the country. Fortunately, the airport is one of America's most redeemable as it brought back its popular ice skating rink this past holiday season for the third straight year.

There's a significant dropoff from seventh to eighth as San Francisco International Airport saw just 51,500 flight disruptions last year, which is nearly 8,000 fewer than DEN. Therefore, there are worse things than flying into or out of the Bay Area.

John F. Kennedy International Airport is bound to run into hiccups every now and then as its the busiest airport in America's busiest city. JFK is also no stranger to widespread delays and cancellations due to winter storms. With 50,800 total disruptions last year, it gets bragging rights over nearby Newark Liberty.

Another airport often disrupted by nasty winter weather, Boston's Logan International Airport saw more than 50,000 disrupted flights over the course of 2018, which comes out to roughly 140 per day. That means the 10 airports most impacted by flight delays and cancellations last year each experienced at least 50,000 disruptions.