Expect Hour-Long Flight Delays at These Airports Memorial Day Weekend
Memorial Day is fast approaching — but if your long weekend plans include flying out of an airport on the Eastern seaboard, you may want to brace for long lines and hour-long delays.
According to The Washington Post, a new analysis of federal transportation data by ValuePenguin shows that New York City-area airports are likely to be two of the worst in the nation for departure delays in the days preceding Memorial Day.
At John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), holiday weekend flights can, on average, be delayed for more than an hour — as can those at LaGuardia Airport (LGA).
Departure delays at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) averaged 57 minutes, and Dulles International Airport (IAD) in the Washington, DC, area and Florida's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) performed only slightly better.
The analysis also suggested that the delays are expected to be most severe on the Thursday prior to Memorial Day (May 24).
Though JFK, LGA and PHL are expected to be three of the worst airports for departure delays this weekend, things could be much nastier at other airports during peak summer travel.
Based on a recent TPG evaluation of Bureau of Transportation Statistics, we expect departure delays between June and August of this year to be particularly severe at Dallas Love Field (DAL), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Newark Liberty International (EWR). (New York City's JFK performed only incrementally better than this trio of airports for summertime averages.)
Though the American Automobile Association (AAA) projects air travel during Memorial Day weekend to grow 6.8% year over year, airports could still be preferable to roads. More than 41.5 million Americans are expected to pile into cars and cover more than 50 miles between Thursday, May 24 and Monday, May 28.
Not deterred by the statistics? Consider one of these awesome last-minute Memorial Day weekend getaways you can book entirely with points and miles.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees