Travelers planning to fly in or out of the New York City metropolitan area for the Fourth of July holiday in 2026 may face significant flight disruptions, according to a new study. Newark Liberty International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) have been identified as the three worst airports in the United States for flight cancellations during the Independence Day travel period.
The study, conducted by Rightway Parking, analyzed flight data from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) for the five July 4th travel periods from 2021 to 2025. It focused on major airports with more than 10,000 combined departures and arrivals.
Cancellation and Delay Rates
Researchers found that Newark Liberty International Airport had the highest cancellation rate, with 3.7% of flights canceled on average during the analyzed Fourth of July periods. LaGuardia Airport followed with a 3.3% cancellation rate, and JFK Airport ranked third with a 2.7% cancellation rate.
Nationwide, over the same five-year period, an average of 24.7% of flights were delayed and 2% were canceled. However, travelers in the tristate area experienced higher rates. The study defines a delay as a flight departing the gate or arriving 15 or more minutes behind schedule.
Beyond cancellations, Newark Liberty International Airport also ranked ninth among the worst airports for delays, with a 28.7% delay rate. JFK and LaGuardia recorded delay rates of 28.1% and 24.3%, respectively.
Contributing Factors to Holiday Travel
This year's Fourth of July holiday travel is expected to be particularly busy in the New York area. The city is anticipating heightened activity due to several major events, including the anticipated wedding of pop icon Taylor Swift and NFL champion Travis Kelce, which is expected to draw over 1,000 guests. Additionally, hundreds of thousands of revelers are expected to visit the city for the nation's 250th birthday celebrations. City officials are reportedly increasing security measures in anticipation of the large crowds and festivities, with temperatures forecast to be in the mid-90s.
The FIFA World Cup match between Brazil and Norway, scheduled for Sunday at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, is also expected to draw international visitors through local airports.
Other Airports Impacted
While the New York area airports stood out for cancellations, other airports also experienced high rates of disruption. Orlando International Airport topped the list of worst airports for delays with a 34.1% rate. San Juan's Luis Munoz Marin International Airport was second with 32.9%, and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport was third with 31.8%.