A canceled flight can ruin plans for travelers heading to important meetings or family gatherings. Fortunately, new data from the Department of Transportation (DOT) shows flight cancellations hit historic lows in the first half of 2024, even with a record number of flights. Only 1.4 percent of flights were canceled in the first six months, the lowest rate in over a decade.

In 2022, nearly 3 percent of flights were canceled, dropping to 1.4 percent in 2023.

“This year’s record-breaking air travel is another good sign for our economy as more Americans take to the skies than ever before. To help avoid travel headaches, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken historic action to modernize airports and expand passenger protections for a smoother travel experience,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

The DOT has introduced new rules, including refund guarantees for canceled flights and a dashboard detailing passenger rights.

U.S. Government Reports Lowest Flight Cancellations in Over a Decade
Frontier Airlines is a low-cost airline headquartered in Denver, Colorado.

Frontier Airlines had the most cancellations in 2023, followed by JetBlue and Spirit Airlines.

Despite the low cancellation rate, only 78 percent of flights were on time from January to March 2024. Airlines may delay flights for hours before canceling.

Travel experts advise checking airline apps or websites for rebooking options. Many airlines, such as United Airlines, now automatically rebook passengers on the next available flight without needing to speak to an agent.