Manchester and Heathrow named as UK’s worst airports for winter delays with three in 10 flights disrupted – this is the complete checklist

As millions of Brits head away on ski holidays, city breaks or in search of some winter sun, flight delays seem almost inevitable. 

January is the busiest month for holiday bookings, with millions of trips planned and a predicted £4billion spent on UK package holidays.

New research has revealed the airports with the most disruption, as well as the most reliable. 

The Winter Flight Disruption Index, conducted by ski package operator Erna Low, reveals the reliability of UK major airports.

The research shows that a traveller’s risk of delay can rise or fall dramatically depending on which airport they fly from between November and April.

So which airports offer smooth, stress-free travel over the winter season and which ones are most likely to delay the holiday before take-off?

The index reveals that Manchester Airport and London Heathrow take the top spot with nearly three in 10 flights delayed or cancelled.

Glasgow Airport is the UK’s reliability hero, with disruption almost six percentage points lower than Manchester, despite adverse weather conditions.

The Winter Flight Disruption Index reveals that Manchester Airport (pictured) and London Heathrow are the worst airports for flight delays – with nearly three in 10 flights delayed or cancelled

Travellers are pictured walking through the departure lounge at Terminal 2 of Manchester Airport, which topped the Winter Flight Disruption Index

Heathrow, which scored joint top for disruption, is the primary international airport serving London

December disruption is far higher than the winter season average, with London airports dominating the top of the list. Stansted, Heathrow and Gatwick all exceed 41 per cent disruption, with Manchester and Edinburgh following closely, with 40 per cent.

Manchester also tops the rankings of longest delays, with an average of 17 minutes, meaning travellers should allow for buffers on their travel days to avoid further missed flights or transfers.

By contrast, Glasgow boasts more than three in four flights operating on time despite storms and peak demand. 

Newcastle, Bristol and Birmingham also outperform the London airports, offering travellers alternatives for smoother journeys.

A travel expert from Erna Low said: ‘Millions of Brits travel abroad over the winter months, so delays should be expected. 

‘For more support and less stress ahead of your travels, consider a package holiday where flights, transfers and accommodation are included. 

‘This way, transfers and arrivals will not be impacted by flight disruptions that are out of your control.’

Elsewhere, the research found nearly four in 10 flights were disrupted in Lisbon, at Humberto Delgado Airport, far exceeding most other major European airports. 

The research found nearly four in 10 flights were disrupted at Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon, Portugal (pictured), far exceeding most other major European airports

Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Frankfurt Airport also rank poorly for reliability, posing risks for connecting passengers, particularly those on long-haul or ski transfer routes.

By contrast, airports in southern European cities, like Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas, in Madrid, Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat, in Barcelona, and Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, in Rome, show winter resilience, with disruption around 45 per cent lower than Lisbon, making them smarter alternatives for December airport choices.

Lisbon similarly came out on top with the longest average delays at just over 18 minutes. 

In comparison, Palma De Mallorca’s delays were half this time on average, at 8.6 minutes.