Frequent flyers and occasional travelers alike are entitled to dependable service when arranging their flights. While the cancellation rates for airlines are generally not alarming, no one wishes to jeopardize their travel plans.
A recent study has identified the US airlines that have the highest likelihood of canceling flights. Industry experts examined data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, focusing on the number of canceled flights for each US airline from August 2023 to July 2024.
This data was then compared to the total number of scheduled flights to derive the percentage of cancellations over the 12-month period. The ranking was established based on the airlines with the greatest percentage of canceled flights.
By identifying the airlines that are more likely to cancel flights, analysts assist individuals in making well-informed travel choices, thereby minimizing potential disruptions and stress.
Frontier Airlines holds the top position, with a cancellation rate of 2.22% for scheduled flights from August 2023 to July 2024. During this 12-month period, the airline operated a total of 200,296 flights, of which 4,443 were canceled. Additionally, Frontier Airlines experienced 56,618 delayed flights, representing 28.27% of its operations, along with 318 diversions.
In second place is Endeavor Air, which recorded a flight cancellation rate of 2.21% during the same timeframe. The airline had a total of 203,418 scheduled flights, with 4,491 cancellations. Furthermore, Endeavor Air reported 417 diversions and 29,752 delayed flights, accounting for 14.63% of its total operations over the year.
Mesa Airlines ranks third, with a cancellation rate of 2.10% from August 2023 to July 2024. The airline canceled 1,914 flights out of 90,957 scheduled flights. Throughout the year, Mesa Airlines also recorded 294 diversions and 19,324 delayed flights, which is equivalent to 21.25% of its total flights.
GoJet Airlines ranks fourth, with a cancellation rate of 2.00% for scheduled flights from August 2023 to July 2024. During this 12-month period, the airline operated a total of 48,997 flights, of which 979 were canceled. Additionally, GoJet Airlines experienced 7,008 delayed flights, representing 14.30% of its operations, along with 117 diversions.
CommuteAir and Republic Airways are tied for fifth place, each exhibiting a flight cancellation rate of 1.98% during the same timeframe. CommuteAir canceled 1,363 flights out of 68,794 scheduled flights, while also recording 202 diversions and 10,630 delayed flights, which accounts for 15.45%. In contrast, Republic Airways canceled 5,638 flights from a total of 285,131 scheduled flights, with 589 diversions and 35,114 delays, resulting in a delay rate of 12.32%.
Alaska Airlines holds the sixth position, with a cancellation rate of 1.81% from August 2023 to July 2024. The airline canceled 4,427 flights out of 244,375 scheduled flights. Throughout the year, Alaska Airlines recorded 685 diversions and 49,851 delayed flights, which corresponds to 20.40% of its total operations.
Seventh on the list is Spirit Airlines, which experienced a cancellation rate of 1.63% for scheduled flights from August 2023 to July 2024. During this 12-month period, the airline operated a total of 268,322 flights, of which 4,386 were canceled. Additionally, Spirit Airlines reported 67,892 delayed flights, representing 25.30% of its operations, along with 522 diversions.
In eighth position is United Airlines, with a cancellation rate of 1.55% for the same timeframe. Out of 747,315 scheduled flights, United Airlines canceled 11,578. The airline also recorded 1,945 diversions and 140,458 delayed flights, which accounts for 18.80% of its total operations over the year.
PSA Airlines holds the ninth position, with a cancellation rate of 1.46% between August 2023 and July 2024. The airline canceled 3,024 flights from a total of 207,629 scheduled flights. Throughout the year, PSA Airlines reported 517 diversions and 40,358 delayed flights, which is 19.44% of its total operations.
Finally, JetBlue Airways ranks tenth, with a cancellation rate of 1.42% for scheduled flights during the same period. The airline operated 250,887 flights, with 3,569 cancellations. JetBlue Airways also recorded 69,888 delayed flights, equating to 27.86%, and 979 diversions throughout the year.
