Will My Flight Be Delayed?
Enter your flight number to check delay risk right now, based on historical data, FAA status, and weather.
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How to check if your flight will be delayed
1. Use this tool — enter your flight number above. We analyze historical BTS on-time data for your specific flight, current FAA delay programs, and weather conditions at your origin and destination.
2. Check your airline's app — airlines update flight status in real time. Enable push notifications for gate changes and delay alerts.
3. Monitor FAA status — the FAA publishes live ground stops and delay programs for all U.S. airports, updated every few minutes.
What causes most flight delays
Weather
~75% of delays over 15 min. Thunderstorms, snow, fog, wind.
Air traffic
Congestion at busy hubs, ATC staffing, runway capacity.
Late aircraft
Your plane was delayed on its previous leg. Cascading effect.
Carrier issues
Mechanical problems, crew scheduling, boarding delays.
What to do if your flight is delayed
- →Know your rights — airlines must rebook you on the next available flight at no extra cost. Check your passenger rights.
- →Ask for meals & hotel — for overnight delays caused by the airline, they should provide accommodations.
- →File a complaint — use our free disruption desk to generate a complaint letter or DOT filing.
Best times to fly to avoid delays
Flights before 8 AM have an 11% delay rate vs. 29% for evening departures. Early morning flights benefit from clear runways, no cascading delays, and calmer weather. Midweek (Tue–Wed) tends to see fewer delays than Friday or Sunday travel. See best times for your route.
Common questions
How can I check if my flight will be delayed?
Enter your flight number (e.g. AA1234, DL 782, or Delta 1234) in the checker above. We'll analyze historical on-time data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, current FAA status, and weather conditions to estimate your delay risk. You can also check your airline's app or the FAA's NASSTATUS feed for real-time updates.
What causes most flight delays?
Weather is the leading cause of delays, accounting for roughly 75% of delays over 15 minutes. Thunderstorms, snow, fog, and high winds are the biggest triggers. Air traffic congestion at busy hubs, late-arriving aircraft from earlier delays, and occasional staffing or mechanical issues account for the rest. Delays cascade — a morning storm at one hub can ripple across the network all day.
Can I get compensation for a delayed flight?
In the U.S., airlines are not legally required to compensate passengers for delays, but they must provide rebooking and, for significant delays, meals and hotel accommodations. For flights to or from the EU, EU261 rules require compensation of €250–€600 for delays over 3 hours caused by the airline. Check your specific rights based on your route and airline.
What time of day has the fewest flight delays?
Early morning flights (before 8 AM) have the lowest delay rates — about 11% arrive late vs. 29% for flights after 8 PM. Morning flights benefit from clear runways, no cascading delays from earlier disruptions, and calmer weather. If avoiding delays is a priority, book the first departure of the day.
How do I check if my flight will be delayed tomorrow?
For tomorrow's flight, check your airline's app the evening before and again in the morning. You can also use this tool to check your specific flight number — we use historical reliability data for that route and airline, so the prediction applies to any upcoming departure. For weather-related delays, check the NWS forecast for your departure and arrival airports.
Which airport has the most delays?
Newark (EWR) and Reagan National (DCA) consistently rank as the worst U.S. airports for delays, with on-time rates around 68-70%. Newark's challenges stem from congested NYC airspace, aging ATC equipment, and runway construction. LaGuardia (LGA), Boston (BOS), and San Francisco (SFO, due to fog) are also among the most delay-prone airports.