Study finds morning flights less likely to be delayed, canceled amid summer season

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Summer travel is now in full swing.

According to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, in June to August of 2023, nearly 73 percent of flights departed on time, compared to roughly 80 percent throughout all of 2023.

Early flights are more likely to depart as scheduled.

In a release shared from AAA, at 30 largest U.S. airports, in June to August of 2023, more than 80 percent of flights departing between 6 and 9 a.m. took off on time, compared to less than 60 percent of flights departing between 6 and 9 p.m.

The percentage of flights departing on time peaked during the 6 a.m. hour and dropped every hour until the 7 p.m. hour, which had the worst on-time percentage.

At T.F. Green International Airport, about 81 percent of flights took off on time in 2023.

In June, July, and August, that average dropped to nearly 74 percent.

According to the data shared, summer flights accounted for 48.2 percent of cancellations for the entire year.

The study added that summer flights in general are more likely to be delayed or canceled.