Viva Late Vegas: Harry Reid Airport Has Most Delayed Flights
Las Vegas has definitely taken over New York as the true “city that never sleeps,” but perhaps that is because everyone is awake waiting for their flight to finally take off. The FAA just announced that Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is the airport with the most delayed flights in the USA.
Obviously Las Vegas has a very busy airport. 2023 fiscal year numbers show LAS was the 8th busiest in the country, serving an all-time high of nearly 27.9 million “enplanements” (in other words passengers boarding a plane).
All things being equal, Las Vegas would also be 8th on the list of airports with the most delayed flights. But, we are over-achievers.
Harry Reid Had Most Delayed Flights In America… And It Wasn’t Close
The numbers are really sobering. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Harry Reid International Airport had nearly 30,000 flights with 15 minute delays or longer. That beats LaGuardia in New York, the airport in second place on the most delayed flights list, by a mile.
Digging into the numbers ourselves, we found that so far in 2024 Las Vegas has had 18,316 flight departures delayed thus far. That’s already nearing 2023’s number of 22,463 according to the Bureau Of Transportation Statistics.
What Are Some Of The Top Reasons For Most Delayed Flights?
So, what the heck is the holdup? It’s a multitude of factors with the biggest problem nationwide being the planes actually arriving late. After all, it’s tough to take off on time if the plane isn’t at the gate on time. According to the BTS, 40% of all delayed flights were due to this one problem alone.
The other largest reason delays are issues with the airline itself. Taking too long loading bags or boarding, waiting for the pilot to show up, that sort of stuff.
The remainder of the reasons in the 2023 report were “National Aviation System Delay”, extreme weather delays and less than 0.2% are due to delays in security.
Secret Tips to Save Money on Your Next Vacation
1. Try to Negotiate Your Lodging
Did you know that hotel fees can be negotiable? Fidelity.com points out that, “You may be able to negotiate the online price by calling a hotel directly, or asking if they have any discounts for students, government employees, or members of certain groups, such as AAA.” So, don’t settle for that price you see on your laptop. Try to do better. It’s a secret tip that can pay off bigtime.
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2. Get Smart with Your Lodging
Did you know some hotels that are virtually the same, including the same brand, can be cheaper just a few miles apart? As a general rule, hotels that are near the airport are more expensive. So, you can look at the hotels you want to stay at and their multiple locations in the area for the best rate. “Some hotels that are under construction may rent rooms at a discount, which is a great option if you can deal with the noise,” Fidelity.com points out.
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3. Snack Your Way to a Cheaper Trip
Going out to eat on vacation can be one of the most exciting things about the trip. But, if you want to save on cash, skip a few meals out and opt for healthy, hearty snacks. Pack (or buy at a local store) some protein-rich snacks, like protein bars and meal bars, and limit your dining out. You can still enjoy some of the best food the area has to offer, just not as much of it. This is a way to stay fit on your trip, too. A lot of people don’t think of this tip, so it’s a bit of a secret.
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4. Timing is Everything
You’ve heard it so many times in life: Timing is everything. That’s true for travel, too. Research to find the least-busy times to visit your destination. If you travel during those downtimes, you’ll save big. While this is a common tip, something people forget is that every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, be specific for your travel spot.
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5. Travel with a Friend
If you’re thinking of traveling solo to a place you’ve always wanted to visit, go cheaper by traveling with a friend. You two can share lodging fees. Also, sometimes there are more deals and discounts for those traveling with multiple people. I always do this when going to a big music festival, if it’s far away. I’ll usually meet my friend there, and we share lodging costs. It also makes the trip more fun.
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6. Find Free Spots to Travel
Look for some free attractions in your travel area. Chances are, they won’t be as packed as the big-named places, too. You can still visit some of the popular landmarks. But, if you add a trip to a national park or free museum to your itinerary, it will save you some cash.
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7. Max Out Your Memberships
Are you a member of any random groups? You might have travel deals just waiting for you. Check everything, from your college alumni membership to your credit cards, for travel discounts. You may be surprised what you find.
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8. Don't Get Picky
Say you just want to get out on a fantastic trip, but you don’t really have a place in mind. That’s actually a good thing. Take an hour to look at flight specials happening right now. If you aren’t picky on where to travel, chances are you’ll find a great rate on airfare and lodging somewhere. Once you find the most reasonable place to travel, then you can start looking at what to do when you’re there.
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9. Go Popular
This is a bit ironic, but often times, the most popular tourist destinations are also the cheapest. That’s because there is a lot of competition for all those travelers. So, big-named destinations like Orlando, Florida, or Las Vegas, Nevada, tend to have really good travel deals. Go popular, or go home.
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