Love it or hate it, Los Angeles International Airport just pulled off something unexpected. LAX just ranked as one of the most reliable airports in the U.S. during the holiday travel season.
With millions of travelers flooding airports at the end of the year and winter weather wreaking havoc across the country, you’d expect chaos. But according to new data analyzed by eSIM service Saily, Los Angeles International Airport quietly proved it can keep things moving when it matters most.
LAX ranked among the best for on-time holiday flights
Using U.S. Department of Transportation data from December 2023 and December 2024, Saily ranked airports based on on-time performance during the busiest holiday weeks.
LAX landed in the top five nationwide, with an 83.03% on-time arrival rate, outperforming many smaller and colder-weather hubs. Not bad for one of the busiest airports on the planet!
5 Most Reliable Airports
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) – 85.91% on time
- Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) – 84.08% on time
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – 83.03% on time
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) – 82.54% on time
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) – 82.42% on time
Why LAX performs so well during the holidays
While snowstorms can cripple airports in other parts of the country, Los Angeles’ mild winter weather gives LAX a major advantage. Fewer weather-related delays mean flights are more likely to leave and arrive on schedule, even during peak travel days.
“Holiday travel puts enormous pressure on airports and airlines, and even small delays can quickly add up,” said Vykintas Maknickas, CEO of Saily, in a statement. “Knowing which hubs typically run smoothly helps travelers plan better.”
That said, December travel is never risk-free. High air traffic volume and ripple effects from delays elsewhere can still impact flights leaving Southern California. Holiday travelers out of LAX should still plan ahead and prepare for setbacks just in case!