Why an afternoon flight is the most likely to be delayed or cancelled – and when you should fly instead

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AN expert has warned that afternoon flights are more likely to be delayed or cancelled.

Flight experts have also revealed the reason it happens and the best times to fly instead.

GettyAfternoon flights are most likely to be delayed, warns an expert[/caption]

According to Going.com, 2.8 per cent of flights were cancelled and 19 per cent delayed in 2022.

It may not sound like much, but it is double the amount of cancellations compared to the historical average.

In the UK, 37 per cent of flights were at least 15 minutes late – up from 17 per cent in 2020 and 2021.

When the pandemic restrictions were finally lifted, airports struggled to deal with the flood of passengers who couldn’t travel before.

As people rushed to reunite with their families or go on long-awaited vacation, post-covid world saw “high overloads” in traffic.

Even though the situation got better, travellers are still not insured from havoc of delays and cancellations.

But there are hacks that they could use to minimise the damage and make their journeys smoother.

Flying can be stressful, and as more people are packing up for their vacations, it is important to know how to avoid delays.

If you don’t want your week of relaxation turning into a nightmare, travel experts recommend picking the right time for flying.

In order to escape the stress of cancellation and having to re-book a flight while stuck in an airport, Going’s experts say it’s best to fly in the morning.

You might not control the weather or air traffic, but you can save yourself some time and money if you pick morning flights.

Based on Department of Transportation data, 86 per cent of morning flights between 6 and 7 am arrive on time.

In comparison, only 66 per cent of flights between 10 and 11pm make it to their destination on the estimated time of arrival.

The reason for that is because the weather tends to be better in the morning, and there’s less likelihood of thunderstorms.

The planes that fly first thing in the morning are also prepared to take off on time as they have been parked overnight at the airport.

An expert from Going said: “More importantly, the plane has been parked at the airport overnight; it’s ready to go.

“Afternoon flights almost always use a plane that has to fly in from elsewhere, and if that flight gets disrupted, well, then your flight is at risk.”

Another way to save yourself some stress is by booking direct flights instead of layovers.

If one of the flights gets delayed, you risk missing your connecting plane which could leave you stranded in a different country.

Perhaps only Usain Bolt could sprint from one terminal to another in five minutes to make it to the gate before the boarding closes.

If you don’t boast the same athleticism, travel experts say it is better to stay safe than sorry.

As you look to book your next holiday with the newfound knowledge, a woman has revealed a sneaky trick to bag cheap flights.

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