If you’re flying out of Florida for the Fourth of July, you may want to pack a little extra patience. A new study from Rightway Parking found that Florida is home to four of the nation’s 10 worst airports for Independence flight delays, with Orlando International Airport at the top of the list.
The analysis examined more than 2 million flights during the last five Fourth of July travel periods, using U.S. Department of Transportation flight performance data from 2021 through 2025 to identify where holiday travelers are most likely to experience disruptions.
According to the study, 34.1% of Fourth of July flights at Orlando International Airport (MCO) were delayed over the five-year period, making it the most delay-prone airport in the country during the holiday travel rush. That’s significantly higher than the national average, where 24.7% of flights experienced delays.
Orlando wasn’t the only Florida airport to rank near the top. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport came in third nationwide, with 31.8% of holiday flights delayed, followed by Miami International Airport in sixth at 29.7%. All four airports recorded delay rates well above the national average, underscoring the challenges travelers may face during one of the busiest weekends of the summer.
While delays were more common than cancellations, Tampa recorded the highest cancellation rate among Florida’s major airports included in the study, with 1.4% of Fourth of July flights canceled. Miami followed at 1.1%, while Orlando and Fort Lauderdale each posted cancellation rates of 1%. Nationwide, approximately 2% of Fourth of July flights were canceled during the five-year study period.
The study also found that nearly one in four Fourth of July flights nationwide were delayed, highlighting how increased passenger volumes, summer thunderstorms and congested airspace can combine to create travel headaches over the holiday weekend.
For travelers hoping to avoid disruptions, the report identified Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu as the nation’s most reliable airport for Independence Day travel, followed by Salt Lake City International Airport, Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and Portland International Airport.
With millions of Americans expected to travel over the holiday weekend, preparing for potential delays could help make your Independence Day getaway a little less stressful.
For the full Rightway Parking study, visit HERE.
