Flight delays are one of travel’s most frustrating constants. But in 2026, new data suggests that where you fly matters more than ever. And unfortunately, according to a new analysis by travel eSIM provider Holafly, Los Angeles International Airport ranks as the 8th worst airport in the world for flight delays.
That places it behind major disruption-heavy hubs like JFK, O’Hare, and Dallas/Fort Worth, but still well below the national average for on-time reliability.
Why LAX Still Lands in the Bottom 10
The ranking is based on a combination of on-time performance, average delay length, cancellation rates, and passenger volume across the busiest airports in the world. While LAX performs better than some of the most delay-prone hubs, it still struggles with consistent operational strain.
LAX sits in a tricky middle ground:
- High passenger volume keeps operations constantly stretched
- Complex terminal layout slows down aircraft and passenger flow
- Ground congestion adds ripple effects even when weather is clear
- Delay averages remain high enough to drag down its overall score
It’s not a single problem. It’s the accumulation of scale, traffic, and infrastructure pressure.
Top 8 International Airports Most Likely to Face Delays
- John F. Kennedy International Airport
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
- O’Hare International Airport
- Orlando International Airport
- Dubai International Airport
- Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- Denver International Airport
- Los Angeles International Airport
Overloaded Mega-Hubs
The takeaway from 2026 data is that LAX isn’t the worst offender. It’s part of a broader group of overloaded mega-hubs where demand is simply outpacing infrastructure.
LAX is just operating at the limits of what one of the world’s busiest airports can realistically handle.
And for travelers, that means that even in sunny Los Angeles, delays are still very much a part of the journey.
