Which airports are the worst for delays in the UK?

Flight delays are one of the most frustrating parts of travelling. Missed connections, long waits on the tarmac, and last-minute cancellations can turn an exciting trip into a stressful experience.

Based on recent data analysing delayed and cancelled flights at major UK airports, some airports consistently experience more disruption than others. Below, we break down the UK airports with the worst delays, explain why these delays happen, and what your rights are if your flight was affected.

The UK Airports with the Most Delays (Worst to Best)

1. London Heathrow Airport – 2,499 delays

As the UK’s busiest airport, Heathrow tops the list for flight delays.

Why Heathrow sees so many delays:

• Operates close to full capacity every day
• Limited runway availability compared to passenger demand
• Highly sensitive to weather disruption
• Knock-on delays due to its role as a major international hub

Even a small issue at Heathrow can quickly ripple across the entire flight schedule.

2. Manchester Airport – 1,080 delays

Manchester is the busiest airport outside London and serves a huge number of long-haul and short-haul routes.

Common causes of delays at Manchester:

• High seasonal passenger demand
• Staffing shortages during peak travel periods
• Weather disruptions, particularly in winter
• Aircraft rotation delays from earlier flights

3. London Gatwick Airport – 1,014 delays

Gatwick operates one of the world’s busiest single-runway systems, which leaves little room for error.

Why Gatwick flights are often delayed:

• Single runway limits recovery time after disruptions
• High volume of short-haul European flights
• Tight flight schedules with minimal buffers

4. Dublin Airport – 890 delays

Although not in the UK, Dublin is a major airport for UK travellers and frequently features in disruption statistics.

Reasons for delays at Dublin Airport:

• Heavy reliance on short-haul flights to and from the UK
• Strong winds and Atlantic weather systems
• Congestion during peak travel hours

5. London City Airport – 492 delays

London City’s location and runway restrictions make it more vulnerable to delays.

Key delay factors:

• Short runway with limited aircraft types
• Strict operating hours
• Weather sensitivity due to its Docklands location

6. Birmingham International Airport – 447 delays

Birmingham handles a growing number of leisure and business routes.

Why delays occur:

• Increasing passenger numbers
• Weather disruption
• Aircraft turnaround delays

7. Edinburgh Airport – 424 delays

Scotland’s busiest airport experiences disruption mainly due to weather.

Typical causes:

• Strong winds and fog
• Winter weather conditions
• Knock-on delays from earlier flights

8. London Stansted Airport – 406 delays

A major hub for low-cost airlines, Stansted sees frequent short-haul traffic.

Why delays happen:

• High flight frequency
• Tight airline scheduling
• Aircraft availability issues

9. London Luton Airport – 393 delays

Another low-cost hub, Luton’s delays often mirror airline scheduling pressures.

Common reasons:

• Short turnaround times
• Weather-related disruption
• Busy early-morning schedules

10. Bristol Airport – 376 delays

Bristol ranks best among the airports analysed but still experiences regular delays.

Why delays still occur:

• Weather exposure
• Aircraft rotation issues
• Peak holiday travel demand

Delayed or Cancelled Flight? You May Be Owed Compensation ✈️

If your flight:

• Arrived more than 3 hours late, or
• Was cancelled at short notice, or
• denied boarding

you may be entitled to compensation under UK and EU flight delay laws (UK261 / EU261).

Depending on the distance of your flight, compensation can be up to £520 per passenger.

👉 Was your flight delayed or cancelled?
👉 Did the disruption happen within the last 6 years?

If so, you may still be able to make a claim.