If you’re looking for a stress-free airport experience, choosing the right time to fly can make all the difference.
A new study by Australian luggage brand Kadi Luggage has analysed over 100,000 flights across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth airports to reveal the best (and worst) times to travel.
Sydney Airport emerged as the most punctual, with flights departing an average of 25 minutes early. According to the data, the sweet spot for both departures and arrivals at Sydney is between 12pm and 3pm, a time frame that sees fewer flights, shorter security lines and minimal delays.
Melbourne, on the other hand, struggled with punctuality, earning the title of least reliable airport in the study. Flights from Melbourne Airport saw the most delays, particularly in the early morning.
The study found that weekday flights – particularly Monday for Brisbane, Tuesday for Adelaide and Friday for Sydney – offered the best departure experiences. Flights during these times often left ahead of schedule, with Adelaide and Brisbane departures averaging 19 and 14 minutes early respectively.
For travellers departing from Melbourne and Perth, early mornings (before 9am) proved the best bet for avoiding delays. Perth flights during this period were delayed by just 7 minutes on average, while Melbourne saw only 8-minute delays.
Worst times to travel? Avoid the morning rush
The worst time to fly from all five major airports was between 5am and 9am, when congestion peaked, leading to delays of up to 33 minutes.
The study also highlighted that weekend departures were often the most stressful, with busier terminals and more frequent flight disruptions.
For inbound flights, weekend arrivals were the least delayed, contradicting the common belief that late-day flights are more prone to delays.
Surprisingly, the most unpredictable arrival time was between 12pm and 3pm, with delays averaging 32 minutes.
“Your airport experience is where your holiday begins, it sets the tone for the rest of your trip,” KadiLuggage.com Co-founder Harry Saunders said.
“No one wants to be sat for hours in an airport or delayed on the tarmac when they should be enjoying the start of their vacation.
“Timing is everything when it comes to travel. By choosing the best time slots for their next flight, such as the calm afternoons between 12pm-3pm, travelers can beat the airport rush hours, avoid delays and experience a smoother journey from start to finish.”
