The research comes from Go.Compare, which analysed 2024 and 2025 flight travel data for 25 UK airports to reveal the best time of year for reduced flight delays
The best time of the year to travel if you want to avoid delays has been revealed.
March has been named as the best month to fly to avoid lengthy delays, based on new research of UK airports. Travellers flying during March 2025 experienced an average flight delay time of just under 10 minutes, making it the most punctual month of the year. A touch over 1% of flight departures were cancelled in March, the joint second-lowest proportion of the year, equal to around 1,600 flights.
The research comes from Go.Compare, which analysed 2024 and 2025 flight travel data for 25 UK airports to reveal the best time of year for reduced flight delays. It also analysed which airports offer the fewest delays for each month. July had the longest average delay of 23 minutes, making it the worst month to fly for punctual air travel.
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March, February and November were the top three months to travel from the UK, topping the list for the lowest average delay times – all coming under 15 minutes on average. In the top month to travel, March, Leeds Bradford boasted an impressively low average delay time of just five minutes, the lowest in the UK.
Meanwhile, Belfast City proved to be one of the best airports for smooth journey times overall, with the shortest delay times in six months of the year.
It is particularly helpful to know which months are more punctual than others right now, as airlines in the UK ae suffering from more and more delays.
Take-offs within 15 minutes of planned departure times are down significantly pre-Covid compared to now for almost all major airlines flying through UK airspace, according to Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data.
There are several factors in play, including a rise in the number of flights taking off, airspace restrictions as a result of military conflicts and issues with air traffic control (ATC) staffing.
Which? studied checked departure data for six of the biggest airlines – British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, Tui and Wizz Air – between May 2024 and April 2025. They show that all of the airlines were less punctual now than before the pandemic in 2019.
July and September, in the peak summer season, proved to be the least reliable months for on-time travel, with average delay times of 23 and 22 minutes, respectively. Liverpool John Lennon Airport was the top airport to travel from during September, with an average delay of just 14 minutes.
Overall, out of all UK airports, the top-performing sites were Belfast City and London City, boasting the lowest average delay time of just 11 and 13 minutes.
Rhys Jones, travel insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “Unfortunately, sometimes delayed flights can’t be avoided. Although it’s frustrating to be left waiting in the terminal, being prepared for this situation can help ease the stress of a delay or cancellation.
“If your travel plans are flexible, choosing your departure date could help prevent a long delay, as some peak months see significantly more problems like busy terminals and long wait times. Plus, consider where you fly from. Flying out of a smaller airport, when possible, like Leeds Bradford or London City might just reduce your risk.
“If you’re planning to fly in the peak travel months, being prepared will go a long way to easing your stress. Pack any essentials like medication and toiletries in your hand luggage, where permitted.
“Plus, look out for travel insurance policies that cover you for extensive flight delays or cancellations. While responsibility often lies with the airline, some policies can help in the event of delays, so always check the details of your insurance with your provider. Knowing you have protection can make a frustrating situation much easier.”
Best time of year for reduced flight delays
(month, average delay, average % of flights cancelled)
- March, 9, 1.1
- February, 11, 0.8
- November, 13, 2.2
- October, 15, 1.6
- April, 15, 1.8
- May, 16, 1.6
- August, 19, 1.1
- January, 20, 3.6
- December, 20, 3.3
- June, 21, 1.4
- September, 22, 1.8
- July, 23, 1.7