The 10 flights routes from the UK that are most delayed – and how to avoid getting held up

MILLIONS of passengers faced flight delays in the last year, new data has revealed.

And figures have now cast a spotlight on the most delayed flight routes departing from the UK.

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Global travel has recovered following Covid, with an estimated 4.7billion people expected to travel this year this year, up from 4.5billion before the pandemic.

But that doesn’t mean that travellers can expect a stress-free journey.

Ryanair passengers from Leeds Bradford Airport to Lawica in popular Polish hotspot Poznan tops the list with delays of 36 minutes, Esendex reported.

Sun seekers jetting off from Birmingham International Airport to Dubai with Emirates will also be pegged back by 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, passengers flying with Eastern Airways from East Midlands Airport to Orly in Paris can expect a niggling delay of 28 minutes.

And Aer Lingus travellers making the brief journey Edinburgh Airport to Belfast City likely won’t be airborne until 27 minutes after their planned departure.

AFTERNOON CURSE

An expert has warned jet setters that afternoon flights are more likely to be delayed or cancelled.

Flight experts have also revealed the reason it happens and the best times to fly instead.

According to Going.com, 2.8 per cent of flights were cancelled and 19 per cent delayed in 2022.

It may not sound like much, but it is double the amount of cancellations compared to the historical average.

In the UK, 37 per cent of flights were at least 15 minutes late – up from 17 per cent in 2020 and 2021.

Based on Department of Transportation data, 86 per cent of morning flights between 6 and 7 am arrive on time.

In comparison, only 66 per cent of flights between 10 and 11pm make it to their destination on the estimated time of arrival.

The reason for that is because the weather tends to be better in the morning, and there’s less likelihood of thunderstorms.

The planes that fly first thing in the morning are also prepared to take off on time as they have been parked overnight at the airport.

An expert from Going said: “More importantly, the plane has been parked at the airport overnight; it’s ready to go.

“Afternoon flights almost always use a plane that has to fly in from elsewhere, and if that flight gets disrupted, well, then your flight is at risk.”