Try and catch a flight leaving the US at 6 in the evening instead of at 10 in the evening. Because late night flights are more likely to be delayed than earlier ones. The reason: Some airports stop flying after a certain hour to lower the noise volume for local residents.

Night flights, specifically those departing in the late evening, are statistically more prone to delays than early morning flights due to a phenomenon known as "delay propagation." In 2026, aviation data shows that as the day progresses, minor setbacks from earlier in the morning—such as late arrivals, maintenance issues, or air traffic congestion—compound and ripple through an airline's schedule. By the time a "night flight" is scheduled to depart, the aircraft may already be running behind from its previous five or six segments. Furthermore, night flights are often more susceptible to seasonal weather patterns; for instance, "official fog windows" and low-visibility conditions are more common during late-night and early-morning hours, often leading to cancellations or diverted routes. While flying at night can offer quieter airports and potentially cheaper fares, the risk of sitting on the tarmac or facing a late-night schedule change is notably higher compared to the "first flight of the day," which typically has the highest on-time performance rating.