This Is Worst Airport In The UK For Flight Delays

London Luton is the airport with the longest flight delays in the country, Civil Aviation Authority figures reveal.

Planes departing from Luton took off an average of 19.7 minutes late, followed by London Gatwick at 18.9, Jersey at 18.7 and Durham Tees Valley at 18.6.

The UK’s most punctual airport is London Heathrow, where flights are delayed an average of 11 minutes, followed close behind in punctuality by Leeds Bradford, Belfast City, London City and Exeter.

A spokesperson for Luton has stated that the airport ‘regrets any delay our passengers experience’ and blames the tardiness on ‘many factors’ outside its control including weather, air traffic control strikes, delayed incoming and congested airspace.

In response to their status as second most delayed, Gatwick said it was doing ‘everything within its power’ to address the issue, including exploring new technology to assist in predicting and recovering time lost for late arriving flights.

Figures from scheduled and chartered flights were analysed for the study, but cancelled itineraries were excluded from the numbers. The CAA said the data will help passengers ‘make informed choices about which airports they fly from,’ adding that ‘the aviation industry should constantly strive to improve punctuality to enhance the passenger experience.’

The data collected illustrates an average flight delay of 15 minutes across all airports nationally, according to analysis by the Press Association.

In the UK, if a flight is running behind by more than two hours, airlines are required by law to provide food and beverages, free access to phone and email and if an overnight stay is needed hotel accommodation. Compensation can be claimed by passengers if their flight is delayed more than three hours, as long as the lateness is not caused by ‘extraordinary circumstances’ such as bad weather or for security reasons.

UK airport flight delays, ranked

Luton – 19.7 minutes

Gatwick – 18.9 minutes

Jersey – 18.7 minutes

Durham Tees Valley – 18.6 minutes

Birmingham – 18.2 minutes

Bristol – 17.6 minutes

Belfast International – 16.7 minutes

Manchester – 16.7 minutes

Stansted – 16.7 minutes

Aberdeen – 16.1 minutes

Edinburgh – 15.8 minutes

Cardiff – 15.7 minutes

Glasgow – 15.0 minutes

Doncaster Sheffield – 14.3 minutes

Liverpool – 14.0 minutes

London Southend – 13.5 minutes

Southampton – 13.5 minutes

East Midlands International – 13.3 minutes

Newcastle – 12.8 minutes

Bournemouth – 12.3 minutes

Exeter – 11.9 minutes

London City – 11.6 minutes

Belfast City – 11.3 minutes

Leeds Bradford – 11.3 minutes

Heathrow – 11.0 minutes

*Average delay times in 2017 based on CAA data.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.