Revealed: The worst airlines for summer holiday delays – and it’s Wizz Air flights that are most likely to be held up
- A study has analysed Civil Aviation Authority data on flights in summer 2022
- Wizz Air had the longest average delay of all airlines included in the study
- MORE: Jumbo jet pilot says goodbye to the Boeing 747 with incredible images
With February one of the busiest times of the year for booking summer holidays, travellers might like to take note of the airlines that faced the most delays last summer.
Wizz Air is the airline whose flights are most likely to be delayed, based on the carrier’s performance last summer, new research has revealed.
The study analysed Civil Aviation Authority data on more than 385,000 flights in and out of the UK during the peak summer holiday months of June, July and August last year.
It found that the Hungarian carrier made more than 15,000 flights in and out of the UK during the period measured, and two-thirds (66 per cent) – or 10,431 flights – arrived at least 15 minutes late. In addition, the airline had the longest average delay of all airlines included in the study, with flights on average running nearly an hour late (55 minutes).
The study, commissioned by the price comparison and financial guidance platform Forbes Advisor, found that TUI Airways was the airline that faced the second-highest percentage of delays.
Wizz Air is the airline whose flights are most likely to be delayed, based on the carrier’s performance last summer, new research has revealed
During the summer of 2022, the British charter airline made 24,970 flights in and out of the UK, and 15,340 of them, or 61.3 per cent, were delayed by at least 15 minutes. The research also revealed that the average delay across all flights at TUI Airways during June, July and August was 46 minutes.
Lufthansa, meanwhile, is the airline that’s the third most likely to be delayed after around half (49.3 per cent) of its flights to and from the UK arrived more than 15 minutes late during the summer of 2022. However, its average delay – just 23 minutes – is considerably lower than that of Wizz Air and TUI Airways.
The fourth most delayed airline of summer 2022 was Air Portugal. One of the smaller companies in the analysis, the Portuguese airline made 2,161 flights to and from the UK in June, July and August of last year, but nearly half (48.5 per cent, or 1,061 flights) were delayed, leading to an average delay time of 25 minutes.
Fifth-ranked EasyJet made the most flights of any carrier in the list, recording 90,988 over the three months. In total 44,144, or 47.8 per cent, failed to arrive on time, with an average delay of 29 minutes.
Ryanair placed sixth on the list. The airline ran 73,250 flights in the summer period, with 34,657 – 47 per cent – delayed by over 15 minutes. In general, it had an average delay time of 29 minutes.
Air France came in seventh with 45.3 per cent of its flights facing delays of over 15 minutes, with an average delay time of 24 minutes.
Jet2 was just below in eighth on 45.1 per cent – the British airline operated 35,720 flights in the June to August period, with 16,160 flights delayed. Its average delay time was 31.2 per cent.
British Airways, meanwhile, ranked ninth with 44 per cent – 27,469 flights out of a total of 60,955 – of its flights facing delays of over 15 minutes.
During the summer of 2022, TUI Airways made 24,970 flights in and out of the UK, and 15,340 of them were delayed by at least 15 minutes
Finally, in tenth place, it’s Virgin Atlantic, with 41 per cent of its flights delayed by 15 minutes or more.
Commenting on the research, Laura Howard, travel insurance expert at Forbes Advisor, said: ‘While our data is retrospective, it serves as a useful reminder for holidaymakers of 2023 to understand their rights around all-too-frequent flight delays and cancellations.
‘For medium-haul flights, such as to Spain, Portugal or Greece, the airline has a duty of care to passengers delayed for more than three hours – no matter the cause. This could include free food and drink vouchers or an overnight hotel stay where appropriate.
Lufthansa is the airline that’s the third most likely to be delayed after around half of its flights to and from the UK arrived more than 15 minutes late during the summer of 2022
‘If your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late – and it was the fault of the airline – you could be in line for compensation of £350 per person. And if you are delayed for more than five hours and no longer wish to travel, you are entitled to a full refund.
‘However, for complete protection against cancelled and delayed flights, you will need a comprehensive travel insurance policy – which will also pay out for other unforeseen events such as emergency medical treatment while abroad, repatriation (getting you home), lost or damaged belongings and cancelling due to illness.
‘Policies are inexpensive compared to the cost of a holiday and making the purchase at the point of booking will offer the best protection should you need to cancel your trip.
‘Always check the small print, however, as terms and conditions around flight delays vary – although it’s often possible to boost cover in return for a slightly higher premium.’
MailOnline has approached Wizz Air and TUI Airways for comment.
THE TOP TEN MOST DELAYED AIRLINES DURING SUMMER 2022
NO.1 – WIZZ AIR
Total flights from June to August 2022 – 15,384
Number delayed over 15 minutes – 10,431
Average minutes of flight delay – 55.46
Per cent delayed by over 15 minutes – 65.6%
NO.2 – TUI AIRWAYS
Total flights from June to August 2022 – 24,970
Number delayed over 15 minutes – 15,340
Average minutes of flight delay – 46.10
Per cent delayed by over 15 minutes – 61.3%
NO.3 – LUFTHANSA
Total flights from June to August 2022 – 6,584
Number delayed over 15 minutes – 3,336
Average minutes of flight delay – 23.15
Per cent delayed by over 15 minutes – 49.3%
NO. 4 – AIR PORTUGAL
Total flights from June to August 2022 – 2,161
Number delayed over 15 minutes – 1,061
Average minutes of flight delay – 25.51
Per cent delayed by over 15 minutes – 48.5%
NO. 5 – EASYJET
Total flights from June to August 2022 – 90,988
Number delayed over 15 minutes – 44,144
Average minutes of flight delay – 29.32
Per cent delayed by over 15 minutes – 47.8%
No.6 – RYANAIR
Total flights from June to August 2022 – 73,250
Number delayed over 15 minutes – 34,657
Average minutes of flight delay – 29.32
Per cent delayed by over 15 minutes – 47.1%
NO.7 – AIR FRANCE
Total flights from June to August 2022 – 2,828
Number delayed over 15 minutes – 1,292
Average minutes of flight delay – 24.20
Per cent delayed by over 15 minutes – 45.3%
NO.8 – JET2.COM
Total flights from June to August 2022 – 35,720
Number delayed over 15 minutes – 16,160
Average minutes of flight delay – 31.20
Per cent delayed by over 15 minutes – 45.1%
NO.9 – BRITISH AIRWAYS
Total flights from June to August 2022 – 60,955
Number delayed over 15 minutes – 27,469
Average minutes of flight delay – 26.31
Per cent delayed by over 15 minutes – 44.3%
NO.10 – VIRGIN ATLANTIC AIRWAYS
Total flights from June to August 2022 – 5,368
Number delayed over 15 minutes – 2,259
Average minutes of flight delay – 25.08
Per cent delayed by over 15 minutes – 41.6%
Source: Forbes Advisor UK
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