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Florida’s Summer Travel Woes: 3 Airports Rank Among The Worst

Author Kayla Morgan

As summer arrives, millions of travelers worldwide are preparing for their much-anticipated airport adventures. Whether you’re jetting off to an exotic destination or visiting loved ones, navigating airports during this busy travel season can be both exhilarating and challenging.

Certain airports have a track record of facing challenges like flight delays and cancellations. This is particularly true during the busy summer travel season, which can result in a less-than-ideal experience for passengers. Forbes Advisor released a ranking of the worst airports for summer travel. They looked at the top 100 busiest airports in the country, evaluating them across ten different metrics that fell under two main categories. Those categories include how often flights arrive on time and airfare prices during the peak summer travel period.

Florida Dominates Ranking For Worst Summer Travel Airports

Overall, Florida’s Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) is the number one contender for the worst airport for summer travel. This airport has the lowest percentage of on-time flights (66.72%) among the 100 busiest airports, according to the study.

When it comes to the worst airports, Florida seems to dominate the list, with three out of the top five falling within the Sunshine State. These include Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB), St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE), and Orlando International Airport (MCO).

The study highlighted that SFB ranked 16th highest regarding the percentage of flight delays caused by the National Aviation System (6.26%). This category includes delays arising from airport operations, heavy traffic volume, and air traffic control issues. Also mentioned is that SFB takes the second spot for being the second worst airport in two key metrics: the percentage of weather-related delays (2.21%) and the percentage of flight delays attributed to late-arriving aircraft (15.06%).

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) takes the unfortunate title of ranking worst in two significant categories. It claims the highest spot for both the percentage of weather-related delays (3.66%) and the percentage of flight delays caused by late-arriving aircraft (15.07%).

Not only that, but the website said that PIE is the second-lowest percentage of on-time flights (67.09%). Additionally, Southwest Florida International Airport shares the 13th spot for having the highest percentage of diverted flights (0.41%) among the 100 busiest airports.

Orlando International Airport (MCO) secures the fourth spot for three metrics they analyzed. It ranks among the worst airports in terms of the percentage of on-time flights (73.06%), the percentage of flight delays caused by the National Aviation System (8.18%), and the percentage of flights that were diverted (0.66%).

Best Airports For Summer Travel

Hawaii, however, secures its spot as a summer travel haven, boasting four out of the top five best airports. Lihue Airport (LIH), Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA), Kahului Airport (OGG), and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) provide travelers with a seamless and enjoyable experience during their summer adventures.

Other Study Findings

Meanwhile, Texas also makes its mark with three airports ranking among the top 15 worst for summer travel. These include Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL), El Paso International Airport (ELP), and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU).

See the full study here.

5 Passport-Free Getaways Where Travelers Can Explore

Most of the time, if you’re traveling outside of the U.S., you need a current passport to do it. But there are some places outside of the country where you can visit without a passport.  And that’s good news for many Americans. A significant portion of Americans, roughly 55 percent, do not possess one.

Last year, the State Department reported that out of the 333,287,557 individuals residing in the United States, an estimated 55 percent, or a substantial portion, did not possess a passport. This figure, based on the total number of 151,814,305 valid U.S. passports in circulation, highlights the fact that a significant majority of Americans have yet to get one.

You don’t always need a passport to visit some awesome places. There are U.S. islands and territories, like the breathtaking U.S. Virgin Islands, where you can hop on a plane and explore without a passport. However, it’s important to note that the travel landscape can sometimes be confusing, as there are other U.S. territories, like Guam, where a passport is necessary for entry.

Do I need a passport for cruises?

When it comes to closed-loop cruises, which are voyages departing from the U.S. and returning to the same port, travelers have a bit of leeway when it comes to passport requirements. According to Ilisa Oman, a travel agent at One World Family Travel, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) allows passengers on these cruises to travel without providing proof of a passport. Instead, a state-issued driver’s license or identification card usually suffices.

Keep in mind that there are exceptions to this rule. It’s always best to check in with your cruise line for more information about your travels.

To make your trip planning a breeze, we’ve got your back with a list of cool destinations where you, as a U.S. citizen, can travel passport-free. Whether you don’t have one or simply prefer to explore without the hassle of carrying one, we’ve got you covered.

  • Puerto Rico

    This Caribbean island is part of the U.S. Puerto Rico has sandy beaches, mountains, waterfalls, and even a tropical rainforest. If you’re a U.S. citizen traveling from anywhere within the U.S., you don’t need to hassle with a passport to visit this paradise. It’s worth mentioning that starting from May 2025, there’s this thing called the Real ID Act that kicks in. If your state isn’t compliant with this Act, you’ll need to bring your trusty passport to explore the wonders of Puerto Rico. So, make sure to check if your state is all set with the Real ID Act before planning your trip.

    San Juan, Puerto Rico resort skyline on Condado Beach on dusk.

    Sean Pavone/ Getty Images

     

  • St. Croix

    If you’re craving island vibes, you might want to check out St. Croix. It is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, you won’t need to worry about bringing your passport when traveling to and from this island.

    Beautiful scenery with harbor of St Croix, green mountain, water and town along the coastline.

    NAPA74/ Getty Images

  • Northern Mariana Islands

    The Northern Mariana Islands, a collection of 14 tropical wonders has sandy shores, azure waters, and an array of thrilling activities like windsurfing, cavern dives, and jungle treks. And yes, U.S. citizens can venture to these remote islands without the need for a passport. However, it’s important to remember that you’ll need to carry a government-issued proof of identification along with you during your visit.

    Taga Beach is an idyllic little cove below the cliff lines and is one of the top attractions in Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands.

    raksybH/ Getty Images

  • St. Thomas

    St. Thomas, a Caribbean island known for its white sand beaches, snorkeling opportunities, and Danish colonial architecture. As a U.S. citizen, you won’t need a passport to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands, which includes St. Thomas. However, it’s important to note that if you plan to explore the neighboring British Virgin Islands, a valid passport will be required. For your adventures on St. Thomas, it only requires a government-issued ID with your photo.

    Trunk Bay, St John, United States Virgin Islands.

    SeanPavonePhoto/ Getty Images

  • St. John

    St. John, the smallest of the U.S. Virgin Islands. This island is home to the  Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve, where you can embark on thrilling adventures like scuba diving, hiking, and even discover prehistoric archaeological sites. Since St. John is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, you can leave your passport at home when traveling there.

    Cruz Bay, St John, United States Virgin Islands.

    SeanPavonePhoto/ Getty Images

Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it. She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel. A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community. She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.

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Author Kayla Morgan
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