Thanksgiving travel is never for the faint of heart — but Chicagoans know the drill better than most. Last year, U.S. airports saw record crowds, and the Sunday after Thanksgiving became the TSA’s busiest day ever with more than three million people screened. It was a reminder that holiday travel is equal parts tradition, chaos and stamina.
And 2025 is shaping up to be just as crowded. Whether you’re flying out of Chicago O’Hare or heading to a connecting hub across the country, knowing which airports tend to slow down during the holiday rush can help you build a smarter itinerary. Using November 2024 on-time performance data from the Department of Transportation and FAA passenger numbers, Way.com ranked the major U.S. airports most likely to see delays — and what that means for Chicago travelers.
Chicago’s home hubs: What to expect
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
O’Hare saw 38.6 million passengers last year and posted an 84.1% on-time arrival rate in November — impressive for a megahub. Still, Chicago’s late-fall weather and busy arrival banks can lead to slower taxi times and occasional bottlenecks.
If you’re flying through ORD:
- Choose early morning flights, when winds are lighter and schedules are clean.
- If you’re connecting, aim for at least a 90-minute layover. (O’Hare’s terminal distances can turn even a modest delay into a sprint.)
- When possible, opt for nonstop routes — especially if your destination is a major city with frequent service.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Midway isn’t in the national top 10 delay list, but Chicago travelers often choose MDW for simpler navigation and Southwest-heavy schedules. While the DOT data doesn’t place Midway among the worst offenders, peak holiday weekends can still cause congestion on the single-runway layout.
If you’re flying through MDW:
- Midday flights tend to move best.
- Give yourself extra time for security, especially during Southwest turnover peaks.
National hubs most likely to delay Chicago travelers
Even if you depart Chicago on time, your connecting airport can make or break your holiday itinerary. Here’s how the country’s biggest hubs performed last Thanksgiving and how they can affect Chicago-based flyers heading to family gatherings across the map.
1. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
71.5% on-time rate
The worst major performer in November. Northeast congestion and limited runways make ripple delays common.
Chicago takeaway:
If you’re connecting through Newark, build in padding or consider a routing through JFK (which had an 88% on-time rate).
2. San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
72% on-time rate
Fog and runway spacing cause predictable slowdowns.
Chicago takeaway:
If you’re heading to the Bay Area, Oakland or San Jose may offer smoother connections.
3. San Diego International Airport (SAN)
79% on-time rate
A single-runway airport with little room for recovery once delays begin.
4. Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
80% on-time rate
Huge volume means even minor weather can create waves.
Chicago takeaway:
If you’re flying American through DFW, grab a longer layover, or see if Dallas Love Field (DAL) might be a better option.
5. Denver International Airport (DEN)
82.6% on-time rate
Winter weather and early-morning de-icing can create bottlenecks.
Chicago takeaway:
If you’re connecting through Denver on your way out of O’Hare or Midway, avoid early-morning departures—the first wave often gets backed up by de-icing delays. Midday flights tend to move more predictably.
6. Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
84.2% on-time rate
Weekend departure crushes—not weather—cause the stress.
Chicago takeaway:
Chicago travelers headed to or through Vegas should try to skip late Sunday night departures—Las Vegas sees massive crowds leaving the city after weekend trips. If you’re connecting, aim for weekday flights or earlier departures from ORD/MDW to avoid the peak crush.
7. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
85.4% on-time rate
Flight operations are fairly stable, but traffic to the airport is the real delay.
Chicago takeaway:
LAX runs fairly smoothly in the air, but the ground traffic is brutal. Leave extra time on arrival if you’re connecting to a domestic West Coast hop. If you’re Chicago-based and headed to Southern California, consider flying into Burbank (BUR) or Orange County (SNA) instead—both often offer faster exits and fewer holiday bottlenecks.
8. Atlanta Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport (ATL)
87.8% on-time rate
A busy but efficient hub, even during holidays.
Chicago takeaway:
If you’re connecting there from Chicago, a tight layover is less risky than in most hubs, but it still pays to avoid the late afternoon rush, when crowds peak. Morning and early afternoon connections from ORD/MDW are your safest bet.
9. New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
88% on-time rate
A surprisingly reliable option for Chicago travelers heading to international destinations.
Chicago takeaway:
If you’re flying internationally from Chicago, JFK is often a more reliable connecting hub than Newark. Its 88% on-time rate makes it a safer bet for tight long-haul connections.
The bottom line for Chicago flyers
Holiday travel will always come with crowds, long lines and the occasional gate-change sprint — but most trips still arrive without major issues. Pack a charger, bring snacks and remember: even a slow travel day beats missing the people waiting for you on the other end.
A note before you fly
Holiday travel will always have its snarls — a long taxi line, a crowded gate, that one flight that seems to take forever to board. But most trips still make it to where they’re going, and a little timing goes a long way. Morning flights tend to behave better, longer layovers save headaches, and sometimes it’s worth picking the smaller airport that just runs smoother. However you plan it, pack some patience, keep your charger close, and remember that a slow day in the air still beats a day spent wishing you were going somewhere.
How airports were ranked
To find the airports most likely to see delays this November, Way.com compared two data points:
- On-time arrival rates for November 2024 from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Air Travel Consumer Report (January 2025 edition).
- Annual passenger volumes for 2024 compiled by the FAA and published on Wikipedia’s List of the Busiest Airports in the United States.
Airports with the lowest on-time rates and highest passenger counts rose to the top of the list, i.e., airports where even small disruptions affect a lot of travelers.
This story was produced by Way.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
