Navigating Airport Travel Delays in 2026

Around 3 million passengers fly in and out of U.S. airports daily on over 44,000 flights handled by the Federal Aviation Administration. An occasional delay caused by bad weather or a mechanical failure is not unexpected. However, travelers should be prepared for an increased number of delays in 2026 due to ongoing technology issues, labor strikes and air traffic controller shortage.

We’ll take a closer look at the main causes of airport delays, ways to manage them and the benefits of travel insurance.

Main Causes of Airport Delays

Airport delays can be triggered by many different events, but here are the main causes:

• Weather conditions. Thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes, extreme heat, blizzards, ice storms and fog can create dangerous conditions for air travel.
• Airplane breakdowns and mechanical failures. A problem with an airplane’s brakes, hydraulics, exterior doors or even the bathroom could cause a delay in takeoff.
• Technology issues. Software failures, system outages and defective software updates are a few of the IT problems that have caused major flight disruptions in recent years.
• Airline scheduling issues. Delays are possible when flight crews must be replaced due to illness or because they’ve reached their maximum allowable flight hours.
• Strikes and staffing issues. An airline strike by unionized pilots, flight attendants, baggage handlers, mechanics and customer service agents can disrupt flights.
• Security and customs delays. The evacuation of a terminal or the need to remove a traveler’s checked baggage because they didn’t clear customs can cause delays.
• Air traffic controller shortage. There is currently an air traffic controller shortage of 3,500, according to the FAA, which could lead to flight delays and cancellations.
• Tight flight schedules. A slight delay in one flight can grow into multiple disruptions at several airports because flight schedules are designed to maximize revenue.
• Air traffic congestion. When the airspace around an airport becomes too congested, takeoffs and landings can be delayed to ensure the safety of travelers.

Busiest Airports with the Most Delays

Data from the Air Travel Consumer report issued in September 2025 shows that the 10 busiest airports in the U.S., all with major hubs, experience a high percentage of delays:

How to Prepare for Travel Delays

Here are some travel tips to help you avoid flight delays or manage the situation if you find that your flight isn’t leaving on time or arriving later than expected:

• Choose an early morning flight. Early flights are less likely to be delayed, and if canceled, can give you more options for rebooking.
• Book at non-peak times. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays are often considered less busy days to fly while Fridays and Sundays typically are the busiest.
• Opt for nonstop flights. When possible, consider booking a nonstop flight to avoid the possibility of missing a connecting flight.
• Allow adequate time between connections. Check the amount of time between your flights to make sure you won’t miss your connecting flight if the first flight isn’t on time.
• Arrive early at the airport. If your flight is delayed, arriving early gives you more time to rebook a flight or catch an earlier one.
• Download airline apps. These apps provide real-time flight status updates and can often allow you to rebook flights if necessary.
• Use a carry-on for essentials. A carry-on bag with a change of clothes, medication, personal care items, snacks and other items can make a delay easier to manage.
• Buy travel insurance. Travel insurance can cover the cost of extra meals and accommodations if your flight is delayed for a set time period, typically at least 6 hours.

How Travel Insurance Can Cover Airport Delays

Travel insurance can help provide coverage for meals and overnight accommodations during an airport delay. Paid claims for travel delays increased by 15% in 2024, nearly double the increase in the prior year. Travelers who relied on travel insurance to lessen the expense of a delay received an average claim amount of $370 and a high of $2,655 in 2024.

Many travelers are under the false impression that the airline will cover the cost of airport delays However, there are no federal requirements for the treatment of a traveler when their flight is delayed. The airlines make their own policies. If your domestic flight is delayed or cancelled, the airline doesn’t have to compensate you, unless you’re bumped from an overbooked flight.

What Types of Airport Delays Are Covered by Travel Insurance

Travel insurance packages that include trip delay benefits can cover airport delays. Delays will typically need to be at least 3-12 hours, depending on the policy. Also, if the delay is significant enough to force you to cancel your trip outright, trip cancellation benefits may apply. These benefits require an extensive delay of 6-48 hours, depending on the policy.

Some policies cover basic delay issues while others offer more comprehensive coverage. When purchasing trip delay coverage, the covered delay events will be explained in the policy.

Basic coverage for airport delays typically includes:

• Weather delays
• Mechanical breakdowns
• Natural disasters

Expanded coverage by the most flexible plans includes:

• Any delay of a common carrier, like a strike or tech outage
• Your involvement in a traffic accident on the way to the airport
• Road closures on your way to the airport
• Lost or stolen travel documents
• Injury, sickness or death of a traveler

What Situations Are Not Covered by Travel Insurance

Even a comprehensive travel insurance plan that includes coverage for any delay of a common carrier won’t cover everything that can keep you from getting to your flight on time.

Situations not covered by comprehensive travel insurance:

• Oversleeping or arriving late
• Normal traffic congestion
• Long lines at security checkpoints
• Expired or inadequate travel documents

What Travel Insurance Covers in the Event of a Delay

Travel insurance can cover your expenses during the delay. Policies typically limit daily reimbursements to $100-$150 and require the delay to be at least 5-6 hours long.

Covered expenses can include meals, overnight accommodations, local transportation and parking charges, and personal care items.

Conclusion

Airport travel delays are often unavoidable due to unpredictable weather conditions, mechanical breakdowns, staffing issues and other events. Whether an airline offers you compensation for meals or hotel expenses is solely at their discretion. Therefore, the best way to cover the additional costs of a delay is to purchase travel insurance that offers airport travel delay benefits.

Written by Lisa Anthony