Are flight times always accurate?

Flight delays are so common, in fact, that statistics consider a flight to be “on time” as long as it's within 15 minutes of the time on your ticket. One pilot confessed to Reader's Digest that airlines exaggerate their times to make themselves look better.



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In air travel, as delays are both common and potentially expensive, the scheduled flight time is usually increased to about 110% of the expected flight time, however some airlines are reportedly now padding by as much as 50%.

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So why are airlines exaggerating flight times? While it's denied by airlines, industry insiders call the practice “schedule padding” and insist it's all about improving punctuality. Take that aforementioned journey from JFK to Gatwick, which Norwegian completed on Monday January 15 in just five hours 13 minutes.

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If you've already booked a flight for May, June, July or August, there is a chance your departure time or day of travel has changed. Airlines publish schedules about a year out from departure and as the flight date gets closer, airlines often need to change the departure time or scrap the flight altogether.

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For example, if there's bad weather or air traffic congestion, the airline may need to adjust their schedule to avoid delays and cancellations. Additionally, changes in airport operating hours, security measures, or even changes in government regulations can all affect flight schedules.

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Unfortunately in most cases airlines can change the time or even the date of your flights, according to their terms and conditions.

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Usually, no. The closer to the departure date, the more expensive the price. More seats tend to fill the closer to the departure date. As more tickets sell for any given flight, the demand increases creating a jump in ticket prices.

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Consequently, airlines have fewer seats left on their flights, so they're more likely to increase the prices as more people are interested in booking. Keyes recommended flying with a budget airline such as Frontier or Spirit to avoid overpaying for tickets to leisure destinations at the last minute.

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“It is 'normal' to expect around 1 to 2 percent of flights to be canceled,” said Gary Leff, author of ViewFromTheWing.com. He added that around 20 to 25 percent of flights are late by at least 15 minutes, though it's harder to track the range of how delayed flights are.

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Evidence suggests that the earlier in the day you fly, the less likely you'll be stuck with lengthy flight delays. If you do end up with time to kill because of a delay, here's how to make the most of it.

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The airlines update fare information 3 times a day. They do not necessarily change airfare prices all three times, but they certainly can, and often do.

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The myth has been going around for years, but the truth is that flight prices don't go down on Tuesdays. To be fair, they did at one point in time, and savvy travelers could score a great deal late on a Tuesday night.

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Keyes suggests booking your ticket at least 21 days before departure (if possible), since airlines have policies that will substantially raise the price of airfare for trips taking place after that deadline.

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Currently, the bragging rights for the longest flight in the world belong to Singapore Airlines' New York City to Singapore route. Its longest flight path, which connects Singapore's Changi Airport with New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, 9,585 miles away, takes 18 hours and 40 minutes.

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As seats sell and there is less inventory, rates generally increase. It doesn't mean that there's no chance it can be cheaper, later, but the airlines are very good and practicing 'yield management' — getting the most revenue for each flight. Bottom line, usually you'll get the lowest fares by booking far in advance.

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Yes, airlines can and do change the aircraft to be used for a particular flight (often referred to as an 'equipment change') for a number of reasons, including, but not limited to: The scheduled plane is down for maintenance. The scheduled plane is delayed in arriving from another airport.

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