Logo

It will be a tale of two airports in NYC this holiday season.

A new report has found that LaGuardia and JFK are on polar opposite wavelengths in terms of reliability and pricing in the coming weeks. Simply put, one made the naughty list, and the other got top marks.

The new data from MarketWatch, which focuses on fares, cancellations, and delays from November and December of 2023, found that LGA — recently crowned best in the nation — is also one of the best major airports for holiday travel.


  A new report praises LaGuardia Airport for how it manages holiday travel. Brigitte Stelzer A new report praises LaGuardia Airport for how it manages holiday travel. Brigitte Stelzer

The favorable ranking is thanks to an 86% on-time departure statistic and decent airfare costs at an average of $346. Last holiday season, LaGuardia only had 0.22% of flights canceled due to weather.

However, heading south on the Van Wyck tells another story. In the research, JFK is called the third worst major airport during the December holiday season. Flights are, on average, much more expensive than they are its Queens counterpart at $441, the research shows.


  JFK scored poorly for how it handles holiday volumes. Stefan Jeremiah for NY Post JFK scored poorly for how it handles holiday volumes. Stefan Jeremiah for NY Post

Also, nearly 17% of flights out of JFK saw delays, and the airport has 0.12% of its flights canceled over the weather for 2023 entirely.

The report, which used Bureau of Transportation Statistics survey data, mentioned that 96% of people are uneasy about their upcoming holiday travel. Nearly seven in 10, or 69%, said delays are their biggest concern.

Right behind that, at 64%, was weather affecting travel, followed by crowded airports and cancellations, which had tied for 55%.


  JFK Airport was dragged for having high prices in addition to delays and cancellations. James Keivom JFK Airport was dragged for having high prices in addition to delays and cancellations. James Keivom

The least common worry among travelers is passenger disturbances on board, at only 19%.

Here is a look at what airports and airlines may be in for a rough ride during the holidays based on how they did last year.

Airlines with the most cancellations and delays


  Spirit Airlines was ranked high for delays and cancellations during the holidays. REUTERS Spirit Airlines was ranked high for delays and cancellations during the holidays. REUTERS

Best-ranked airports for holiday travel


  LaGuardia is a top airport in the nation during holiday travel, a new report shows. G.N.Miller/NYPost LaGuardia is a top airport in the nation during holiday travel, a new report shows. G.N.Miller/NYPost

Worst-ranked airports for holiday travel


  JFK saw many delays during the 2023 holiday season. James Keivom JFK saw many delays during the 2023 holiday season. James Keivom

Comments
anonymous profile image
Powered by RoundtableBuilt on infrastructure designed for real-time media. Learn more at RTB.io.© Roundtable 2026. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy