Most Delayed Flights Come From New York

A whopping 41 of the 50 most chronically delayed flights in the nation start or end at one of New York City’s three airports, according to data compiled from Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Though New York flights make up only about 12% of air traffic, they account for almost half of all delays. “It’s part of the cost of doing business in the chronically congested New York area,” said one analyst.

The report, which was compiled for Bloomberg, ranked 3,400 flights based on how often they arrived late. Another interesting pattern: all but eight of the most-delayed flights were from regional carriers, and that’s not a coincidence. Experts say airlines proactively choose which flights will bear the brunt of delays. “If you’re on a little regional jet, the airlines are like, ‘Sorry guys, but you’re gonna sit on the tarmac,’” says one passenger who agrees. (More airline delays stories.)