Skift Take

Most passengers head to the airport with dismal expectations, so looking at factors like how many passengers pass through the airport, where they are located, and which airlines fly there can either ease or float travel anxieties.

Flying out of Houston or Charlotte this holiday season? You’re in luck.

Travelers can expect the lowest percentage of delays and highest percentage of on-time arrivals at these airports when compared with other major U.S. airports. This according to Bureau of Transportation Statistics data on winter holiday air travel from 2003 to 2011 compiled by Mint.com.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston is the most reliable holiday airport with the highest percentage of on-time flights (79 percent), the lowest percentage for delayed flights (20%), and as one of several other airports with the fewest cancellations (1 percent).

Charlotte Douglas International Airport is the only other airport to rival Houston’s performance statistics.

San Francisco International Airport is the least reliable airport with only 63 percent of flights arriving on time, and more than a third of flights delayed.

Cancellations are mostly likely to occur in Boston or Chicago where five percent of flights are cut, but this isn’t a problem at most other airports where usually only one to two percent of flights are cancelled.

Pair this data with Skift’s analysis of which airlines have been improving at on-time arrivals and departures in December for a rigorous guide to holiday air travel.

Mint.com

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Tags: flight delays, holidays, infographics

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