If you've ever stared at a "Cancelled" sign at the gate, you've wondered: is my airline worse at this than others? The data says yes — cancellation rates vary dramatically by carrier. Across all U.S. airlines, only a small share of flights get cancelled, but the best and worst carriers differ by a factor of four. This guide ranks the airlines by cancellation rate, shows when cancellations spike during the year, and explains what causes them.
How often do flights get cancelled?
In a normal year, U.S. airlines cancel only a little over 1% of scheduled flights — the vast majority do operate. But that small average hides big differences between carriers and wild swings during bad weather. A single winter storm or a system meltdown can cancel thousands of flights in a day, while calm stretches see almost none. The chart ranks carriers against the national average line.
Which airlines cancel the most?
The highest cancellation rates tend to belong to regional carriers — airlines like Republic and Endeavor that operate smaller regional jets under the major airlines' brands — which are more exposed to crew and aircraft shortages that ripple through their tight schedules. Among the carriers you book directly, ultra-low-cost airlines have historically cancelled more often, while the most reliable carriers cancel well under 1% of flights. The gap between best and worst is roughly four-fold.
When are cancellations worst?
Timing matters enormously. Cancellations spike in winter, when snow and ice shut down airports, and during the stormy summer months, when afternoon thunderstorms snarl the busy travel season. The calmest months tend to be in fall and late spring. If you can choose when to fly, avoiding the peak storm seasons measurably lowers your odds of a cancellation — though no month is immune.
Why flights get cancelled
Most cancellations trace back to a few causes. Weather is the biggest — storms, fog, and ice make flying unsafe or impossible. Crew and aircraft shortages are next: airlines schedule planes and crews tightly, so one delay can cascade into cancellations across the network, especially at airlines running lean. Occasionally, technology failures — like a computer-system outage — can ground an entire airline. The carriers that cancel least tend to build in more slack to absorb these shocks.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of flights get cancelled?
Across U.S. airlines, a little over 1% of scheduled flights in a typical year — the large majority operate as planned. The exact rate is shown above.
Which airline cancels the most flights?
Regional carriers like Republic and Endeavor — which fly smaller jets under major-airline brands — tend to have the highest cancellation rates, due to crew and aircraft constraints.
Which airline is most reliable?
The carriers with the lowest cancellation rates cancel well under 1% of flights. The most and least reliable airlines differ by roughly a factor of four.
When are flight cancellations worst?
In winter, due to snow and ice, and during the stormy summer travel season. Fall and late spring tend to be the calmest months.
Why do flights get cancelled?
Mostly weather, followed by crew and aircraft shortages that cascade through tight schedules, and occasionally airline technology failures. More reliable carriers build in more slack.