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.
The Las Vegas Airport That Might Hurt Your Holiday Cheer
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.
Fasten Your Seatbelt, We’ll Be Departing…Tomorrow
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.
Harry Reid International Las Vegas Airport #2 For Most Flights Delayed
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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5 Expert Tips For Navigating Holiday Travel Delays
1. Fly At Off-Peak Times
One way to avoid potential travel delays is to fly at off-peak times. Overnight and early morning flights are always less crowded.
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!
2. Fly A Few Days Before The Holiday
While it won’t be this empty in an airport a few days before the holidays, it will be far less crowded than flying out the day before or the day of Thanksgiving or Christmas.
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.
3. Pack Smart
Travel delays don’t have to mean meltdowns with the kids. Bringing snacks from home is one way to keep them happy and entertained.
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.
4. Don't Make Plans Too Close To Your Flight
Nothing is more stressful than flight delays when you have to be somewhere. Easy solution: don’t make plans the same day you’re traveling. Problem solved.
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.
5. Bring Things To Keep Busy
Travel delays seem much shorter when you keep yourself and your littles entertained. Downloading movies before you leave the house is the best backup plan.
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.
