Time flies: UK flyers lose over a millennium to flight delays
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Flyers from UK airports experienced 1,410 years’ worth of delays during 2023
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Isle of Man Airport is the least punctual in the UK, with an average flight delay of 28 minutes
New research has revealed that UK flyers lost a staggering 1,410 years waiting for delayed flights in 2023.[1] In January alone, out of 124,399 flights, 2,465 were cancelled – 2% of all that were scheduled.[2]
The study by Go.Compare analysed flight data for 25 UK airports, painting a picture of the challenges regularly faced by air passengers. Isle of Man Airport has been identified as the least punctual in the UK, with 5% of flights cancelled in 2023 and an average flight delay time of 28 minutes.[3]
UK airports with the highest average flight delays:[3]
|
Rank |
Airport |
Average delay (mins) |
Flights cancelled (%) |
|
1 |
Isle of Man |
28 |
5% |
|
2 |
Gatwick |
25 |
2% |
|
3 |
Bournemouth |
23 |
0.1% |
|
4 |
Luton |
22 |
1% |
|
5 |
Manchester |
21 |
1% |
|
6 |
Southend |
21 |
2% |
|
7 |
Bristol |
20 |
1% |
|
8 |
Edinburgh |
20 |
2% |
|
9 |
Heathrow |
19 |
2% |
|
10 |
Stansted |
19 |
1% |
Joining the Isle of Man are other notable airports like Gatwick, Luton, and Manchester, which experienced average delay times ranging from 21 to 25 minutes. But while these airports struggled, others across the country proved to be much more punctual.
UK airports with the lowest average flight delays:
|
Rank |
Airport |
Average delay (mins) |
% Flights cancelled |
|
1 |
London City |
13 |
4% |
|
2 |
Belfast City (George Best) |
13 |
4% |
|
3 |
Teesside International |
14 |
4% |
|
4 |
Liverpool (John Lennon) |
14 |
1% |
|
5 |
Exeter |
15 |
3% |
|
6 |
East Midlands International |
15 |
0.5% |
|
7 |
Southampton |
16 |
3% |
|
8 |
Leeds Bradford |
16 |
3% |
|
9 |
Glasgow |
16 |
3% |
|
10 |
Jersey |
17 |
2% |
The top-performing airports in terms of punctuality were London City and Belfast City, both with the lowest average delay time of just 13 minutes.
Despite such low delay times, these airports have some of the highest cancellation rates with 4% of flights being cancelled in 2023. Surprisingly, even with an average delay time of 23 minutes, Bournemouth Airport has a cancellation rate of only 0.1%, the lowest across the board.
Rhys Jones, travel insurance expert for Go.Compare, said: “Flight delays are impossible to completely avoid, so being prepared for the unexpected is crucial for a smooth travel experience. With this research, flyers can choose their airports wisely, which can make a big difference to their journey.
“Before you travel, check your flight status and have a backup plan in case of delays. Pack essentials like snacks, entertainment, and toiletries. Flight delays can happen for a number of reasons, but by preparing for the worst, you can avoid any unnecessary stress.
Keep an eye out for travel insurance policies that cover you for extensive flight delays or cancellations. While some responsibility for compensation lies with the airline, there are policies that can help in the event of delays. For instance, some policies can cover the cost of your holiday in exceptional circumstances as well as accommodation, transport, and other necessary expenses if the airline isn’t able to cover them.”
More information about the research is available on Go.Compare’s website.
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