The festive season is often a time of joy, but for many travellers, it’s also a time of stress—especially when it comes to air travel. With flights up, delays and cancellations are unfortunately a common part of the experience. And the post-pandemic era hasn’t done much to ease the anxiety, with customer satisfaction around air travel steadily declining in recent years. Flight delays remain one of the most significant contributors to travel headaches.
As Christmas approaches, millions will board flights to visit family, enjoy a winter getaway, or escape to sunnier destinations. But it’s not just holidaymakers facing the challenges of busy airports and crowded flights; business travellers also navigate the seasonal chaos, leading to even more disruptions.
So, what’s the best way to avoid being caught in the travel madness? According to our latest study, the airport you fly from could make all the difference when it comes to avoiding delays. The research reveals which UK airports were the most disrupted last December and which ones were the least affected. Read on to find out…
The UK’s Most Delayed Airports Over Christmas
1. Teesside International Airport
Topping the list as the most delayed airport last Christmas, Teesside International Airport saw an average delay of 37 minutes and 40 seconds. Nearly 25% of flights from this airport were delayed by more than an hour, and it also had the highest cancellation rate among the most disrupted airports, with 6.8% of flights grounded. While Teesside serves a smaller number of routes, including seasonal flights to Lapland to see the Northern Lights, its flight operations were heavily impacted last year.
2. Aberdeen Airport
Aberdeen Airport ranked second for delays, with over 13% of flights delayed by an hour or more. The airport’s average delay was 30 minutes and 35 seconds, which was exacerbated by the region’s typical winter weather. Icy conditions have historically caused operational delays, and in December 2023, a collision between a British Airways plane and a vehicle on the tarmac caused even further disruptions.
3. Exeter Airport
Exeter Airport, known for being one of the top five UK airports, came in third. The airport saw an average delay of 26 minutes and 3 seconds, with over 10% of flights delayed by over an hour. As with Aberdeen, adverse weather conditions—likely snow or heavy rain—are the usual culprits behind these disruptions.
The UK’s Least Delayed Airports Over Christmas
On the flip side, some airports proved to be much less affected by delays during the festive season. These airports are the ones to consider if you’re looking for a more reliable journey this Christmas.
1. Cardiff Airport
Cardiff, often referred to as the “Gateway to Wales,” took the crown as the least disrupted airport last December. With an average delay of just 7 minutes and 24 seconds, Cardiff was the most dependable choice for travellers. It’s also a busy airport, with over a million passengers passing through each year. Looking ahead, Cardiff is poised for even better service, as a £206 million investment is set to improve infrastructure and traveller experiences over the next decade.
2. Southend Airport
Southend, one of the UK’s fastest-growing regional airports, came in second for smooth operations. With an average delay of only 12 minutes and 8 seconds, Southend emerged as a solid option for Christmas travellers looking to avoid disruptions.
3. Bournemouth Airport
Bournemouth Airport also performed well, ranking third with an average delay of 13 minutes. The airport recently implemented new policies, including relaxing liquid restrictions for hand luggage, which is expected to streamline security processes and reduce wait times even further.
These airports stand out not only for their minimal delays but also for their efforts to enhance the travel experience. If you’re flying this Christmas and looking to avoid the long waits and uncertainty that can come with air travel, these airports could be your best bet.
Laura Busby, Commercial Director at Good Travel Management, commented on the study’s findings:
“Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for travel, regardless of whether you’re flying for business or pleasure. While delays are frustrating, understanding which airports are most affected can help alleviate some stress. As these statistics show, delays are a reality of December travel, but knowing which airports are most likely to experience problems can help both business travellers and holidaymakers plan ahead, choose more reliable options, and reduce stress during the festive period. For those looking to avoid lengthy waits, Cardiff and Southend are standout options for smoother journeys if available.”
Flying this Christmas can be an exciting, albeit stressful experience. By knowing which airports are prone to delays and cancellations, you can plan your trip with greater confidence—and perhaps even avoid some of the seasonal travel headaches. If you’re aiming for a smooth journey this holiday season, consider flying from Cardiff, Southend, or Bournemouth. But if you’re headed to Teesside, Aberdeen, or Exeter, be prepared for a bit more uncertainty and plan accordingly.
Safe travels and may your Christmas flights be merry and bright!
Methodology
For this study, we gathered data around the UK’s delayed and cancelled flights in December 2023, taken from the Civil Aviation Authority. We used this data to discover each airport’s average delay time, percentage of flights over 1 hour late, percentage of cancelled flights and more.