Flight delays and cancellations at major airports are prompting many travelers to adjust their plans — particularly US travelers — according to the Global Rescue Summer 2025 Traveler Safety and Sentiment Survey.
When asked if they are scheduling air travel to avoid specific airports reporting operational issues, such as Newark, LAX, Toronto Pearson, London Gatwick and Charles de Gaulle, 41% of all respondents said yes.
“Flight disruptions are frustrating and expensive, and travelers are adapting by planning around problem airports,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and a member of the US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the US Department of Commerce.
The likelihood of avoiding specific airports was consistent across gender and age. Women (43%) and men (41%) responded similarly, as did travelers aged 35–54 (38%) and those 55 and older (43%). The only notable exception was travelers under 35, who were about 25% less likely to avoid specific airports (31%) than older groups.
The biggest divide was between US and non-US travelers. US respondents were 42% more likely to avoid specific airports than their international counterparts (45% vs. 31%). Conversely, 31% of non-US travelers said they were comfortable using airports with reported issues, compared to just 25% of US respondents.
Additionally, nearly 1 in 4 travelers under 35 said they had “no choice” but to use certain airports — significantly more than older travelers. This may reflect fewer route options, budget constraints, or limited alternatives among younger respondents.
