Top European airlines with delays and cancellations

Dec 11 2024 MFR travel team

It is a great feeling to travel but nothing is as bad as experiencing a delayed or cancelled flight which can ruin your plans. Whether you are going on a much needed holiday or attending an important business meeting, these are setbacks that can completely throw a spanner in the works. The air space in Europe is one of the world’s busiest and therefore some airlines have a hard time meeting the demand, which means that for passengers, information is power. In this guide, we will discover which European airlines are the most affected by delays and flight cancellations, what causes such delays and cancellations and how you can best prepare for your journey.

Why do airlines experience so many delays and cancellations?

First, let’s look at some of the main reasons why flights get delayed or cancelled. These issues often go beyond the control of any one airline:

• Weather: The weather in Europe is rather changeable, and we have fog in the UK, snow in the Scandinavian countries, and summer thunderstorms in the Mediterranean. It is therefore not new that winter is more disastrous especially in the northern part of the country while summer heatwise is not any better especially in the southern part.
• Air traffic control: Europe is a densely populated place, and planes fly across the entire continent. Delays are sometimes as a result of the large number of planes in the sky especially at the busier airports for example London or Frankfurt.
• Staffing and strikes: Labor constraints have been a challenge for airlines in Europe, and have been even more so in the past few years. Summer is also the season when most industries including the airlines industry undergo a series of strikes which can be seen in almost every aspect of airline operation including check in, flight operation etc.
• Technical issues: This is unavoidable since there are cases when technical problems with the plane require maintenance. Technical problems are inevitable in flying and some airlines especially those that fly frequently may experience sudden cases.

Knowing these factors can help you plan smarter and choose flights with a better chance of staying on schedule.

Top European airlines known for delays and cancellations

Using recent data from flight-tracking services, here’s a look at some of Europe’s biggest airlines with frequent delays and cancellations:

1. Ryanair
• Delay rate: About 30% of Ryanair flights run late, typically by around 45 minutes.
• Challenges: As one of the biggest low-cost airlines, Ryanair has a dense schedule with quick turnarounds. This leaves little room for error, so even small delays can create a domino effect.
2. British Airways
• Delay Rate: Roughly 25% of British Airways flights experience delays, usually around 40 minutes on average.
• Challenges: With London Heathrow as a major hub, BA flights often contend with congestion, especially during peak times.
3. Lufthansa
• Delay rate: Close to 27% of Lufthansa flights face delays, with a delay duration averaging 50 minutes.
• Challenges: As Germany’s flagship airline, Lufthansa deals with high-traffic routes, and labor strikes have also affected its schedules over recent summers.
4. easyJet
• Delay rate: easyJet sees about 30% of its flights delayed, with delays averaging nearly 50 minutes.
• Challenges: easyJet’s focus on affordable travel leads to quick airport turnarounds. The airline often faces delays during peak travel seasons, particularly in popular tourist destinations.
5. Air France
• Delay rate: Around 24% of Air France flights run late, usually by about 45 minutes.
• Challenges: Air France often deals with seasonal strikes, and Paris’s busy airspace adds to potential disruptions.

Trends in delays across Europe

Each region in Europe has its own unique factors that influence flight delays:

• Northern Europe: Winter weather can be brutal in Nordic countries, so expect potential delays if you’re traveling during snowy months.
• Western Europe: Airports like Heathrow, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt are incredibly busy year-round, so travelers flying with major carriers here often face delays.
• Southern Europe: Low-cost airlines serving popular summer spots like Greece, Spain, and Italy tend to face delays due to heavy passenger volume during the warmer months.

Tips to avoid flight delays and cancellations

While we can’t prevent all travel disruptions, there are a few things you can do to reduce the likelihood of delays:

1. Choose flights wisely: Morning flights are generally less prone to flight delays since the day’s schedule hasn’t had time to back up. Also, traveling mid-week, when airports are less crowded, can improve your odds.
2. Track airline performance: Apps and websites can show which airlines are performing well in terms of on-time arrivals. Checking your airline’s track record before booking can be a smart move.
3. Consider travel insurance: A good travel insurance policy can cover costs related to delays, cancellations, and missed connections, easing the financial impact of unexpected changes.
4. Know your rights: European travelers have strong passenger rights under the EU261 regulation, which provides compensation for delays over 3 hours and for many cancellations. Knowing what you’re entitled to can save a lot of stress if your plans go awry.

How MYFLYRIGHT can help with your compensation

If you find yourself stuck due to a delayed or cancelled flight, MYFLYRIGHT is here to make things easier. As a specialist in passenger claims, MYFLYRIGHT helps travelers across Europe secure compensation for delays, cancellations, denied boarding, and baggage issues. We know that dealing with airlines can be a hassle, so our team takes care of the entire claims process on your behalf. Working on a “no win, no fee” basis, we only get paid when you do, so there’s no upfront cost. With MYFLYRIGHT by your side, you can confidently pursue your claim, knowing we’re here to get you the compensation you deserve.

Though delays and cancellations are inevitable, knowing some facts about it can help you prepare for a trip. I have listed down the tips that can help you in avoiding flight delays and cancellations, all you need to do is to choose your flights wisely, know your rights and if you need help, do not hesitate to ask. Thus equipped and with the assistance of MYFLYRIGHT, one can travel with a lot of comfort knowing that if things do not work as planned, one is protected.