US flight delays hit worst level in a decade, report finds
Travelers stand in line in a TSA screening area at Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
LOS ANGELES – Airline travel reliability in the United States deteriorated sharply in 2025, with cancellations and delays reaching their worst levels in more than a decade, according to a report released Tuesday by the Los Angeles-based California Public Interest Research Group Education Fund.
The report, “The Plane Truth 2026,” found that on-time arrivals last year hit their lowest level since 2014, with nearly one in four flights either delayed, canceled or diverted.
Researchers said one in 12 flights on the nation’s 10 largest airlines arrived at least an hour late.
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According to the report, more than 118,000 flights were canceled in 2025 among the nation’s largest carriers and their regional partners, while overall on-time performance dropped to 76.34%.
“The Plane Truth: Airline travel isn’t likely to get less stressful in the near future,” the report stated. “And whether travelers are facing cancellations or delays, lost baggage or getting bumped off an over-booked flight, it’s more important than ever for consumers to know their rights.”
Congress approved a series of airline consumer protections in 2024, including guaranteed refunds for canceled or significantly delayed flights if passengers decline rebooking options.
Researchers also found that lengthy tarmac delays surged in 2025.
Airlines recorded 708 domestic tarmac delays exceeding three hours and 77 international delays exceeding four hours, marking the highest domestic total since federal tarmac delay rules took effect in 2010.
The report cited crowded airspace, shortages of air traffic controllers, airline scheduling practices and operational problems as among the leading causes of delays.
Among major carriers, Hawaiian Airlines posted the best on-time performance and among the lowest cancellation rates, while Frontier, JetBlue and American Airlines ranked among the worst performers for delays and cancellations.
Consumer complaints filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation declined during the final months of 2025 compared with the same period a year earlier, although the report noted that overall flight performance worsened.
Frontier again recorded the highest complaint ratio among major airlines, while Southwest had the lowest.
The report also found airlines mishandled more than 2.4 million checked bags, wheelchairs and scooters in 2025, though baggage handling slightly improved from the previous year. United Airlines had the worst mishandled baggage rate among major carriers, while Allegiant posted the best, the report said.
Researchers additionally warned about growing safety concerns involving lithium battery-powered portable chargers on airplanes after nearly 100 battery-related smoke, fire or overheating incidents were reported on flights in 2025. (CNS)
