Last summer, the skies felt particularly stressful for travelers, and it wasn’t just in your head. According to the latest data from AirHelp, July of 2025 was deemed the worst month to fly, with over 31% of U.S. passengers facing delays or cancellations. Following closely behind were June and December, confirming the suspicions of many travelers that peak summer and holiday seasons bring the highest risk of disruption.
However, amidst the chaos, there was a glimmer of hope. September emerged as the least disruptive month to fly, with only 18.3% of passengers experiencing issues. Spring months like April and March also fared relatively well, hinting that traveling during the shoulder season might be the best-kept secret for smoother journeys.
According to the 2025 Disruption Report by AirHelp, which analyzed flight disruptions impacting 248 million U.S. passengers, the airport you choose to fly from can make a significant difference in your travel experience.
When it comes to large U.S. airports, travelers were most likely to encounter problems at Newark Liberty International Airport, Chicago O’Hare, New York’s LaGuardia, Ronald Reagan Washington National, and Denver International, where roughly 27-29% of passengers faced disruptions. Conversely, airports like Honolulu, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles International, San Francisco International, and Phoenix Sky Harbor boasted significantly smoother operations, with disruption rates closer to one in five passengers.
Certain travel days proved to be particularly rough, with November 9 standing out as the single worst day of the year, affecting nearly half of all passengers due to a government shutdown and FAA-mandated flight reductions. Additionally, the last day of Thanksgiving weekend was not far behind, serving as a reminder that return trips can often be more chaotic than holiday departures.
For those planning trips in 2026, the key takeaway is clear: avoiding peak summer and major holiday windows, as well as being mindful of historically congested airports, could greatly reduce the chances of delays. Sometimes, the most strategic travel decision isn’t a packing hack or an upgrade – it’s simply choosing the right time to embark on your journey.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.