Holiday Travel Delays: Thanksgiving, Christmas and Summer
When to fly · Aug 2025 – Jul 2026
Data through July 2026 · Last updated October 18, 2026
National on-time arrival rate during each holiday travel period compared with all other days, Aug 2024 – Jul 2026.
All other days ranks first at 80.2%, and Summer peak (Jun 15 - Aug 15) is last of the 4 listed at 72.2%.
The median across this list is 75.6%.
Top 4: on-time arrivals
All other days80.2%
Thanksgiving week (Tue before to Mon after)77.7%
Christmas & New Year (Dec 20 - Jan 3)73.5%
Summer peak (Jun 15 - Aug 15)72.2%
Full ranking
| # | Name | On time | vs other days | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | All other days | 80.2% | +0.0 pts | 1.5% | 10,745,887 |
| 2 | Thanksgiving week (Tue before to Mon after) | 77.7% | -2.5 pts | 1.3% | 268,821 |
| 3 | Christmas & New Year (Dec 20 - Jan 3) | 73.5% | -6.7 pts | 1.5% | 567,465 |
| 4 | Summer peak (Jun 15 - Aug 15) | 72.2% | -8.0 pts | 2.2% | 2,522,918 |
80%+ good 70–79.9% fair <70% poor