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By ESTHER MARSHALL Published: 12:58 BST, 17 April 2025 | Updated: 12:59 BST, 17 April 2025
Flight delays can ruin a holiday before it’s even started. While some delays are unfortunately unavoidable, a travel expert from KAYAK has shared some top tips to minimise your risk of being hit by airport chaos. Rachel Mumford reveals that a late-spring is the best time to book a drama-free escape. She says: ‘If you’re looking to reach your holiday destination on time, May is an attractive month to fly with only 31 per cent of flights delayed compared to July and September last year at 44 per cent.’ If you do need to fly in July, there are a couple of dates that travellers will want to try to avoid. Rachel reveals: ‘For those who are flying out in July, try and avoid flying on the 17th and 29th, when tickets were most expensive last year.’ The travel expert adds: ‘August 1 is also expected to be the busiest day for flying, so choosing an alternative date would help avoid crowds.’ And opting for an early flight is also one of the best ways to avoid being hit by delays. While some delays are unfortunately unavoidable, a travel expert from KAYAK has shared some top tips to minimize your risk of being hit by airport chaosKAYAK’s research found that only 15 per cent of flights leaving at 5am were delayed, compared to 51 per cent of flights leaving between 2 and 8pm. Rachel explains: ‘Flying before 7am is ideal, however, if that doesn’t match your schedule, then try and avoid flying in the afternoon and evening. ‘Plus, for those taking international flights, choosing an earlier flight at 5am if cheaper than late night flights between 9 and 10pm.’The research also found that British tourists flying from East Midlands Airport are the least likely to experience delays. According to KAYAK, just 15 per cent of flights from East Midlands Airport were delayed in 2024 with an average delay time of 19 minutes. Liverpool, Belfast and Bournemouth are also good options with fewer than 20 per cent of flights at each airport hit by delays. London Gatwick scores the worst for punctuality with 57 per cent of departures delayed and an average delay time of 37 minutes. London Heathrow, Manchester, London Stansted and Birmingham also land at the bottom of the table. According to KAYAK, just 15 per cent of flights from East Midlands Airport were delayed in 2024 with an average delay time of 19 minutesRachel says: ‘East Midlands, Liverpool and Bournemouth were some of the most punctual airports in the UK last year compared to London City, London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Belfast. ‘However, not all smaller airports are exempt, as Aberdeen Airport had the most cancellations by far, at 3.1 per cent. ‘For travellers who have no choice but to travel through bigger and busier airports, they should allow ample layover time for delays. ‘For intercontinental flights, try and go through smaller airports or fly direct to avoid layovers.’
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I’m a travel expert – these are the worst times, dates and airports to fly from this summer
