We do the best we can. But airlines are also getting busier as the industry experiences historic levels of demand. Domestic passenger boardings hit a new record of almost 561 million last year. Consumer advocates and others also blame some delays on the nation's air traffic control system, which they claim is overburdened as air travel booms. Book nonstop flights.
Fewer stops mean fewer opportunities for delay.
Fly on off-peak days. Most travel occurs around the weekends. Travel on earlier flights when the nation's air system has not had a chance to back up. Carry luggage on board. This prevents delays at baggage pickup, but most airlines are cracking down on the size and amount of luggage in overhead bins.