As travelers gear up for this year’s bustling July Fourth travel season, a new report sheds light on the U.S. airports where flight delays on the holiday are most common.
Upgraded Points shared the report this month. To provide the information, the source analyzed the Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ flight records for the holiday from 2023 through 2025.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) ranked as the airport with the highest July Fourth departure delay rate. The top five was rounded out by Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), Tampa International Airport (TPA), and Jacksonville International Airport (JAX). Of the list’s top 10, five were airports in Florida.
“Independence Day is a cornerstone of summer travel, but a large number of passengers paired with unpredictable summer weather can create a perfect storm for disruptions,” noted Keri Stooksbury, Upgraded Points’ editor-in-chief. “We looked at historical data to give travelers a clear picture of where the bottlenecks actually happen. Then, travelers can manage expectations during one of the most hectic weekends of the year.”
What Else Should Travelers Know About July Fourth Travel In 2026?
The report detailed that 34.6% of July Fourth flights were delayed at Central Florida’s MCO. Further south, FLL had the second-highest percentage of flight delays in the nation on July Fourth, at 33%. It’s possible the trend will continue this year, as both airports have been majorly impacted by Spirit Airlines‘ cessation of operations in early May. The airline’s main hub was FLL, though it also maintained a significant presence at MCO.
This July Fourth, travelers should prepare to experience busy airports and potential long TSA wait times and flight delays. In addition to the millions who will fly for the holiday, the U.S. is also seeing an influx of travelers jet-setting across North America for the World Cup.
See Upgraded Points’ full list of airports with the highest July Fourth departure delay rates:
- Orlando International Airport (MCO) – 34.6%
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) – 33%
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) – 32.6%
- Tampa International Airport (TPA) – 32.4%
- Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) – 30.9%
- Bradley International Airport (BDL) – 30.7%
- San Antonio International Airport (SAT) – 30.3%
- Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) – 30.2%
- Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) – 30%
- Milwaukee General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) – 29.9%
