Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) was ranked the second worst U.S. airport for flight delays and cancellations on November 13, 2026, according to ConsumerAffairs analysis of the 29 largest U.S. airports. Only Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, ranked worse overall.
DFW Delay and Cancellation Rates
DFW reported the highest moderate delay rate nationwide, with 25.18 percent of flights delayed between 15 minutes and three hours. Nearly two percent of flights were delayed more than three hours, making DFW the fifth worst airport for such severe delays. Cancellations at DFW were significant, with 24.88 percent being the last flights scheduled for a
destination that day.
ConsumerAffairs noted DFW’s high moderate delay rate results in disruptions that “eat into your day without necessarily blowing up your whole trip.” The airport also offered more scheduled backup flights to the same destinations compared with many other major airports, aiding customers in rebooking after cancellations or severe delays.
Holiday Travel Disruptions at DFW and DAL
Flight disruptions will increase at DFW during the Thanksgiving and winter holiday travel periods, defined from the Tuesday before Thanksgiving through the following Monday, and from December 18 to January 5. During these times, 30 percent of DFW flights are expected to experience delays, diversions, or cancellations.
Severe
delays over three hours are forecasted on 2.5 percent of flights during the holiday seasons. DFW ranks eighth highest for holiday disruption rate and fifth for holiday severe delays among major U.S. airports.
Dallas Love Field (DAL) was ranked the 15th worst medium-sized U.S. airport for delays and cancellations. Approximately 22 percent of DAL flights are moderately delayed, the highest rate in that category among medium-sized airports. Severe delays at DAL occur in 1.07 percent of flights, with over 26 percent of flights disrupted during holidays and 2 percent experiencing severe delays.
National Airport Disruption Context
ConsumerAffairs’ nationwide survey placed Ronald Reagan Washington National
Airport as the worst overall for flight interruptions. Los Angeles International Airport ranked as the best major airport for minimizing travel disruptions, followed by Phoenix Sky Harbor International and Seattle-Tacoma International Airports.
Official Advice for Travelers
Jennifer Rykaczewski, CEO of the nonprofit Affordable Skies, urged travelers affected by delays or cancellations to act quickly by checking airline apps for rebooking options within the first 10 minutes after disruption. She also recommended saving all documentation and receipts for meals or hotels for potential insurance claims.
The ConsumerAffairs report suggests travelers consider securing travel insurance, booking nonstop flights, or choosing earlier departures on airlines with multiple
flights to their destination to reduce risks from delays and cancellations.
