Ever jump out of bed before the sun comes up or stay up way past your bedtime only to rush to the airport and find your flight has been delayed? For night owls, early birds, and everyone else who wants to avoid an overly hectic terminal while saving some cash, there’s an airport for you.
A new study looks at the best (and worst) airports for early bird and red-eye flights when it comes to the number of flights and flight delays. Consequently, see how your local airport stacks up, so you’re ready the next time you fly out before the sun rises or after it sets.
In a quirky twist, some airports even have the best drinks for these unreasonable times of day (coffee in the morning vs. cocktails at night). There are plenty of coffee spots at Cleveland Hopkins. Furthermore, if you want a martini, Jacksonville is your airport.
The Best U.S. Airports for Early-Bird Flights
Early birds typically enjoy a higher percentage of flights departing before 8 a.m., experience fewer delays, and find more options for coffee per passenger than at other airports.
- Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
Scored – 39.9 out of 50
Percent of flights departing before 8 a.m. – 38.5%
Percent of early flights delayed – 13.9% - Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
Scored – 38.5 out of 50
Percent of flights departing before 8 a.m. – 39%
Places that sell coffee – 1 per 1 million passengers - Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)
Scored – 36.6 out of 50
Percent of early flights delayed – 12.4%
Places that sell coffee – 0.79 per 1 million passengers
Notably, early flights at these three U.S. airports often take off earlier than scheduled. All of them depart an average of up to two minutes early.
- Kahului Airport (OGG)
- William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
- Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)
The Worst Airports for Early-Morning Flights
Given that these are the first flights of the day at these airports, it’s clear that they aren’t ideal for early risers.
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
Scored – 9.2 out of 50
Percent of early flights delayed – 31.6% (highest in the study)
Average delay of early flights – 7 minutes - Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
Scored – 15.6 out of 50
Percent of flights departing before 8 a.m. – 9.4%
Places that sell coffee – 0.33 per 1 million passengers - Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL)
Score – 16.4 out of 50
Percent of flights departing before 8 a.m. – 4.7% (lowest in the study)
Average delay of early flights – 6 minutes
Unfortunately, early flights at five major U.S. airports often face longer delays than 10 minutes, on average:
- Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
- Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
The Best U.S. Airports for Late-Night Flights
If you’re a night owl who enjoys the tranquility after the day’s hustle, consider these top airports for late-night flights. Interestingly, the number of places in each airport selling alcohol was also factored into this ranking.
- Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL)
Scored 36.5 out of 50
Percent of flights departing after 8 p.m. – 21.7%
Average Delay of Late Flights – 8 minutes - Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
Scored 36.1 out of 50
Percent of flights departing after 8 p.m. – 22%
Places that sell alcohol – 0.79 per 1 million passengers - Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
Scored 33.7 out of 50
Percent of flights departing after 8 p.m. – 19.6%
Average delay of late flights – 9 minutes
Late flights at three airports experience an average delay of less than 5 minutes:
- Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
- Kahului Airport (OGG)
The Worst Airports for Late-Night Flights
If you plan to postpone your travel until late in the day, consider these airports before making your decision.
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
Scored 3.1 out of 50
Percent of flights departing after 8 p.m. – 1%
Percent of late flights delayed – 77.8% - San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
Score – 14.6 out of 50
Percent of flights departing after 8 p.m. – 1.4%
Average delay of late flights – 31 minutes - Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
Scored – 16 out of 50
Percent of flights departing after 8 p.m. – 1.1%
Percent of late flights delayed – 50%
Furthermore, late flights at three airports experience an average delay exceeding 30 minutes:
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (45 minutes)
- Miami International Airport (34 minutes)
- San Antonio International Airport (31 minutes)
Since you’re waking up early or staying up late, why not enhance your flight experience with a bit more legroom? Consider checking out information on airlines with the most legroom available.
