Miami Airport Delays: MIA vs Fort Lauderdale vs Palm Beach

Palm Beach recorded the highest published on-time departure rate in this comparison at 74.6%, narrowly ahead of Miami at 74.3% and Fort Lauderdale at 73.2%. Miami had the broadest choice of flights, while Palm Beach’s average departure delay and cancellation rate were higher than Miami’s.

All figures below describe historical departures, not live airport conditions or a prediction for an individual flight.

Key takeaways

• Palm Beach recorded 74.6% on-time departures, but its 21.7-minute average departure delay was the highest of the three airports.
• Miami recorded 74.3% on-time departures and a 1.7% cancellation rate across 221,518 departures.
• Fort Lauderdale recorded 73.2% on-time departures while serving 106 destinations, the broadest destination count in this comparison.
• Miami served 99 destinations and Palm Beach served 36, so airport choice can limit nonstop options.

Which South Florida airport had the strongest historical departure record?

Palm Beach recorded the highest published on-time departure rate in this comparison at 74.6%, narrowly ahead of Miami at 74.3% and Fort Lauderdale at 73.2%. Miami had the broadest choice of flights, while Palm Beach’s average departure delay and cancellation rate were higher than Miami’s.

The following comparison keeps the measures separate so a higher on-time rate is not mistaken for a lower cancellation rate or a larger flight network.

• Miami International Airport (MIA) — 74.3% on-time departures, 20.2 minutes average departure delay, 1.7% cancelled, 221,518 departures, 99 destinations, and 11 airlines.
• Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport (FLL) — 73.2% on-time departures, 20.0 minutes average departure delay, 1.9% cancelled, 179,311 departures, 106 destinations, and 10 airlines.
• Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) — 74.6% on-time departures, 21.7 minutes average departure delay, 2.1% cancelled, 61,283 departures, 36 destinations, and 12 airlines.

When should the historical winner change the airport choice?

Palm Beach’s modest on-time-rate lead is meaningful only if it offers a comparable itinerary. Miami has a slightly lower cancellation rate and a shorter average departure delay than Palm Beach, while Fort Lauderdale has the most listed destinations. For many travelers, the best choice is the airport with a nonstop flight at a favorable time of day.

The term “on time” follows FlightRecord’s methodology: a flight arriving less than 15 minutes late. This guide reports departure-side airport measures, so it should not be read as an arrival guarantee.

How should travelers choose between South Florida airports?

Use the airport comparison after narrowing the decision to real, bookable flights. These three checks keep a broad historical average in the right role.

• 1. Compare nonstop options first; a connection can add a separate failure point that an airport-average comparison does not capture.
• 2. Use Miami’s lower cancellation rate as a useful tie-breaker against Palm Beach when schedules are similar.
• 3. Do not assume Fort Lauderdale’s wider destination count means better historical punctuality; its on-time rate was the lowest of the three in this dataset.

How were these airport delay figures calculated?

FlightRecord analyzed 14,111,289 U.S. domestic flight records from 2024-06 through 2026-05—a 24-month period. The site aggregates the Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ Airline On-Time Statistics by airport, rather than presenting a live feed. The federal source reports scheduled and actual times, cancellations, diversions, and airport- and airline-level statistics.

For definitions, sample rules, and limitations, read FlightRecord’s full methodology. Historical performance does not guarantee that a future flight will be on time.

Frequently asked questions

Which South Florida airport had the best on-time departure rate?

Palm Beach International Airport recorded the highest published on-time departure rate in this comparison: 74.6% from June 2024 through May 2026. Palm Beach had fewer destinations than Miami or Fort Lauderdale and a higher average departure delay, so the rate should be considered alongside the available itinerary.

Is Miami International more reliable than Fort Lauderdale?

Miami International recorded 74.3% on-time departures, compared with 73.2% at Fort Lauderdale, in FlightRecord’s 24-month data. Miami also had a slightly lower cancellation rate. Fort Lauderdale served more listed destinations, so route availability can still make it the more useful airport for a particular trip.

Does Palm Beach have fewer flight cancellations than Miami?

No. Palm Beach recorded a 2.1% cancellation rate, compared with 1.7% at Miami, in this historical dataset. Palm Beach led the group on on-time departures, which illustrates why cancellation rate and on-time rate should be checked separately rather than treated as the same measure.

Should I choose an airport based only on its delay rate?

No. Historical delay data is one input, not a guarantee. Compare whether each airport offers a nonstop flight, the departure hour, fare, airport access, and the airline’s record on the specific route. Then use airport-level history as a transparent tie-breaker.