Las Vegas Airport Ranked #2 In Expected Delays For 2024

Flying out of a Las Vegas airport over the holidays, or any airport for that matter, always comes with headaches. You've got tons of crowds, more kids running around, and bad weather causing flight delays. To make matters worse for those in Southern Nevada, the most popular Las Vegas airport, Harry Reid International, just landed at #2 on the list of most number of delays expected for the upcoming holiday season.

Locals know that every Las Vegas airport is busier than most. Sin City welcomes so many tourists all year long that we have become used to crowded gates and long security lines. Especially on the weekends. Our airport has gotten so packed over recent years that another terminal had to be added. It's like Christmas morning for those flying out of Harry Reid International to see "Terminal 3" on their ticket stub. The newer terminal is far less crowded than Terminal 1, with more parking and shorter lines.

But even Terminal 3 is going to see more crowds this holiday season. In fact, all of Harry Reid airport is expected to be a nightmare come Thanksgiving. Hopefully most people flying out of a Las Vegas airport this month are not also flying into another hub known for delays. Thanks to experts at Palm Paradise Realty Group, we have an idea of where those other airports might be. The Florida-based group recently released data to determine which U.S. airports will serve up the biggest headaches for the 2024 holiday season.

The experts at Palm Paradise Realty Group collected data on each US airport from the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Operational Network (OPSNET) data portal. They focused on three key areas: average delay (in minutes), total number of delays, and the percentage of flights delayed. They then compiled a list of the airports with most flight delay complications for their guests, based on each of the three focus areas.

Related Story: 5 Expert Tips On How To Navigate Travel Delays During Holidays

Harry Reid, the largest Las Vegas airport and the one used the most by tourists coming to Sin City, ranked in the top ten in two key areas. Formally known as Mccarran Airport, Harry Reid was number five on the list of airports with the highest percentage of flights delayed. At 2.25 percent, Harry Reid came behind Florida's Palm Beach International Airport, Florida's Naples Municipal Airport, the San Francisco International Airport, and Colorado's Aspen-Pitkin County Airport.

On the list of most number of delayed flights for the study time frame, the Harry Reid International Las Vegas airport was number two. Again, this is among all the airports in the U.S. Harry Reid had 1511 total delayed flights, second only to San Francisco International Airport, which had 1568. Number three was Miami International Airport, with 1073 delayed flights, followed by Chicago O'Hare International Airport with 856.

Other airports in the top 10 included John F. Kennedy International Airport with 821 delayed flights, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport with 718, La Guardia Airport with 667, Palm Beach International Airport with 631, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport with 545 and Seattle/Tacoma International Airport with 509.

With Harry Reid landing on both lists that measure the number of flights delayed, it would be smart to plan for a delayed flight this upcoming holiday season. The good news for those traveling out of Las Vegas is that Harry Reid did not land on the third list, which ranked airports based on delay time. Suggesting that if your flight is delayed at the Las Vegas airport, it shouldn't be a long one.

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The time of year has come where everyone is thinking about holiday travel plans. Where they'll go, what they'll pack, who they'll see. What most people aren't thinking about, however, is the very thing they should be considering. Travel delays. It's bound to happen sooner or later. But that doesn't mean it has to be stressful for holiday travelers. The secret to success is to be on top of your timing and preparation. That means doing what you can to avoid hectic travel times and being ready even if you land right in the middle of it.

It's wise to expect at least some travel delays in your itinerary. Tenfold during the holidays. And a hundredfold if you live in a city with an airport known for such headaches. We just reported on the top ten airports in the U.S. that are known for how many of their flights get delayed every year. If you're flying into or out of Las Vegas, Miami or San Francisco, sorry to say you have a pretty good chance at getting at least one flight delayed.

So let's say you have plans to meet your family for dinner on the other side of your upcoming flight. Which is great because you ran out of the house without feeding the kiddos and you're on a budget too tight to afford airport food prices. It'll all work out, providing that your flight leaves on time and there's no delay on the runway. Then it comes...the news that your flight is delayed. Cue the mounds of stress.

Was it really the flight being delayed that caused the stress? Or was it the lack of preparation and putting too much of your success on things out of your control? The problem is obvious. Fortunately, so is the solution. We got some tips from travel experts at Palm Paradise Realty Group that will help travelers avoid flying during those times when delays are more likely. As well as tips to handle delays when they do come.

The most popular times to travel is from afternoon into the late evening. Therefore, try to book an early morning flight. Those are less prone to delays and very often have smaller crowds and shorter security lines. Redeyes are also often light on passengers. For long flights, it might even be helpful to book an overnighter that your kids can sleep on. They won't be bored and you won't be stressed about getting through the crowds. It's a win-win!

Due to work, school or other demands, most of the world has to travel for the holidays the day before or the day of. Experts advise travelers to try to book a flight at least a few days before Thanksgiving or Christmas to avoid the rush. The same goes for flying home. Pick a few days after the holiday for the easier time spent in the terminal. You might have to take extra time off, but it might be worth avoiding the headache.

If travel delays are inevitable, experts advise that packing smart is the difference between stress-free travel and total chaos. Bring your own snacks and empty water bottle to fill up after getting through security. This will eliminate the need to get in long lines for food or drink. For my kiddo, I pack a Snackle Box and don't let them see it until the flight. So everything's a fun surprise.

If you have to be somewhere shortly after your flight is supposed to land, then timing is everything. The way to NOT make timing everything is to allow plenty of it on the other side of your flight. Make a whole day for travel, if you can. That gives you the whole day to get to where you need to be, settle in, and refresh before hitting the holiday plans with the family. Don't make 7:00 dinner plans when your flight comes in at 6:00pm. That just sets you up for failure.

This is especially necessary if you have little ones. Download movies or apps before heading to the airport, and don't forget the chargers! If you want to mix it up and use fewer electronics during potential travel delays, there are lots of downloadable game cards like airport bingo or scavenger hunts. And don't be afraid to go old school with those travel board games. They're time-consuming and take up little space in the carry on.

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