Have you ever wondered why so many flights get delayed? Or how much luggage is lost at airports each year? Find the answers to those questions and more in our infographic that highlights the most common airport problems you may encounter before take-off.
Airport Obstacles — By The Numbers
Nowadays, creating a travel itinerary is the easy part. Getting to your destination on time is still up in the air.
Ticket Desk
Airline fees can add up
| Flight change | $150 |
| Unaccompanied minor | $25 – $150 |
| Second bag | $15 – $50 |
| Seat selection | $5 – $15 |
Waiting Area 1
Flight delays
1/4 of US flights are delayed
Time matters in the likelihood of a delay:
- 6am – 12% of flights delayed
- 6pm – 30% of flights delayed
Waiting Area 2
Top causes of delays
| Late Arriving Aircraft | 35.8% |
| Air Carrier Delay | 27% |
| Weather | 20.2% |
| Volume | 8% |
| Cancelled Flight | 5.3% |
| Diverted Flight | 1.3% |
| Closed Runway | 1.3% |
| Other | 1.1% |
Customer Service
Top causes for complaints
| Flight Problems | 40.5% |
| Baggage | 13.5% |
| Customer Service | 11.3% |
| Ticketing & Boarding | 9.3% |
| Fares | 8.2% |
Luggage Claim
Lost luggage
2,000,000 Mishandled baggage reports are filed each year
Empty Runway
Flight cancellations
120,000 Flights are cancelled per year
Cancellations have increased due to shortage in pilots and large tarmac delay fines for airlines
Top reasons for cancellations:
- Mechanical
- Crew’s duty time expired
- Extreme weather
- Lack of aircraft
Boarding Gate
Denied boarding
500,000 Passengers were denied boarding last year
Least likely to get bumped:
- Business class travelers
- Frequent fliers
- Travelers who check in first
- Online check-ins
Most likely to get bumped:
- Discounted fliers
- Travelers who check in last
No matter how well-planned your trip is, unexpected incidents can prevent you from taking flight. Don’t let lost luggage or cancelled flights get in the way of a great holiday – let Nationwide help you stay on course.
Learn more at Nationwide Travel Insurance.
