Best month to fly in 2026 to avoid travel delays, according to experts | Travel News | Travel
Holidaymakers will be keen to dodge delays as much as possible. Fortunately, travel experts have crowned March as the prime month to take flight for an efficient journey, according to research on UK airports reported by the Mirror.
Those who took to the skies in March 2025 encountered an average delay of just shy of 10 minutes, marking it as the most timely month of the year. A smidgen above one per cent of departures were cancelled in March, tying for the second-lowest percentage of the year, equating to roughly 1,600 flights. This research was conducted by Go.Compare, which analysed 2024 and 2025 flight data for 25 UK airports to pinpoint the best periods for minimising flight delays.
It also evaluated which airports consistently deliver the fewest delays each month. July was burdened with the longest average delay of 23 minutes, making it the least favourable month for punctual air travel.
March, February and November emerged as the top trio of months for UK departures, leading the pack for the shortest average delay times — all clocking in under 15 minutes on average. In the top-ranked month, March, Leeds Bradford boasted a remarkably low average delay time of a mere five minutes, the lowest across the UK.
On the other hand, Belfast City was shown to be one of the best airports for faster journey times overall, boasting the briefest delay times in half the months of the year.
It’s particularly beneficial to be aware of which months typically offer more punctual departures at present, as UK airlines are grappling with an increasing number of delays.
Departures within 15 minutes of scheduled departure times have plummeted dramatically compared to pre-Covid levels for nearly all major carriers operating in UK airspace, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) figures reveal.
Multiple factors are at play, including a surge in flight numbers, airspace limitations due to military conflicts and air traffic control (ATC) staffing challenges. Which? analysed punctuality records for six of Britain’s largest airlines – British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, Tui and Wizz Air – spanning May 2024 to April 2025.
The findings demonstrate that every carrier performed worse for timeliness compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. July and September, during the busy summer period, emerged as the most unreliable months for punctual travel, recording average delays of 23 and 22 minutes respectively.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport emerged as the most reliable hub during September, registering an average delay of merely 14 minutes. Across all UK airports, Belfast City and London City claimed the top spots, recording the shortest average delay periods of just 11 and 13 minutes.
Rhys Jones, travel insurance specialist at Go.Compare, said: “Unfortunately, sometimes delayed flights can’t be avoided. Although it’s frustrating to be left waiting in the terminal, being prepared for this situation can help ease the stress of a delay or cancellation.
“If your travel plans are flexible, choosing your departure date could help prevent a long delay, as some peak months see significantly more problems like busy terminals and long wait times. Plus, consider where you fly from. Flying out of a smaller airport, when possible, like Leeds Bradford or London City might just reduce your risk.
“If you’re planning to fly in the peak travel months, being prepared will go a long way to easing your stress. Pack any essentials like medication and toiletries in your hand luggage, where permitted.
“Plus, look out for travel insurance policies that cover you for extensive flight delays or cancellations. While responsibility often lies with the airline, some policies can help in the event of delays, so always check the details of your insurance with your provider. Knowing you have protection can make a frustrating situation much easier.”
(month, average delay, average % of flights cancelled)
- March, 9, 1.1
- February, 11, 0.8
- November, 13, 2.2
- October, 15, 1.6
- April, 15, 1.8
- May, 16, 1.6
- August, 19, 1.1
- January, 20, 3.6
- December, 20, 3.3
- June, 21, 1.4
- September, 22, 1.8
- July, 23, 1.7
