Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) was ranked the No. 2 worst airport in the United States for flight delays and cancellations on November 13, 2026, according to a ConsumerAffairs analysis of the 29 largest U.S. airports. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, was named the worst overall for flight disruptions.
DFW Delay and Cancellation Rates
DFW recorded the highest moderate delay rate among major U.S. airports, with 25.18% of flights delayed between 15 minutes and three hours. Approximately 2% of flights faced severe delays exceeding three hours, ranking the airport fifth for the worst severe delay rate. The cancellation rate for flights
that were the last departing to a destination was 24.88% at DFW on this date.
Holiday Season Disruptions at DFW and DAL
During key holiday travel periods—from the Tuesday before Thanksgiving through the following Monday, and December 18, 2026, to January 5, 2027—DFW experiences an elevated flight disruption rate of 30%, with about 2.5% of flights delayed more than three hours. Among large U.S. airports, DFW had the eighth highest holiday disruption rate and the fifth highest for severe delays. Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) ranked 15th worst among 32 medium-sized airports, with a 22% moderate delay rate and a 1.07% severe delay rate. DAL also saw
over 26% of flights disrupted during the holidays and 2% severely delayed.
Traveler Guidance and Backup Flight Availability
DFW provides more scheduled backup flights to the same destinations than many other U.S. airports with high disruption rates, improving rebooking opportunities for affected travelers. Jennifer Rykaczewski, CEO of Affordable Skies, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group, advised passengers to act promptly within the first 10 minutes of flight disruptions by checking airline apps for rebooking options and alternatives. She emphasized the importance of saving documentation of delays or cancellations along with receipts for meals or lodging for potential insurance claims.
Ranking Context and Airport Comparison
ConsumerAffairs evaluated 29 major U.S. airports for delay
and cancellation rates on November 13, 2026. While DFW ranked second worst overall, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport claimed the top spot for flight disruptions. In contrast, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) was identified as the best major U.S. airport for on-time flights, with Phoenix Sky Harbor International and Seattle-Tacoma International Airports following closely behind.
