Tampa vs St. Pete–Clearwater Airport Delays Compared

Tampa International and St. Pete–Clearwater were nearly tied on historical on-time departures: 78.1% at Tampa and 77.9% at St. Pete–Clearwater. St. Pete–Clearwater had a shorter average departure delay and lower cancellation rate, while Tampa served far more airlines in the same dataset.

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

Key takeaways

• Tampa International recorded 78.1% on-time departures across 156,257 departures; St. Pete–Clearwater recorded 77.9% across 18,196.
• St. Pete–Clearwater averaged a 16.7-minute departure delay, compared with 17.2 minutes at Tampa.
• St. Pete–Clearwater recorded a 1.6% cancellation rate, compared with 2.0% at Tampa.
• Tampa served 11 airlines in the dataset, while St. Pete–Clearwater was represented by one airline.

Which Tampa Bay airport had the strongest historical departure record?

Tampa International and St. Pete–Clearwater were nearly tied on historical on-time departures: 78.1% at Tampa and 77.9% at St. Pete–Clearwater. St. Pete–Clearwater had a shorter average departure delay and lower cancellation rate, while Tampa served far more airlines in the same dataset.

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.

• Tampa International Airport (TPA) — 78.1% on-time departures, 17.2 minutes average departure delay, 2.0% cancelled, 156,257 departures, 64 destinations, and 11 airlines.
• St. Petersburg Clearwater International Airport (PIE) — 77.9% on-time departures, 16.7 minutes average departure delay, 1.6% cancelled, 18,196 departures, 67 destinations, and 1 airline.

When should the historical winner change the airport choice?

The historical punctuality difference between Tampa and St. Pete–Clearwater is too small to make either a blanket winner. St. Pete–Clearwater’s shorter average delay and lower cancellation rate are useful advantages when it has the right flight. Tampa’s far broader airline choice may be more valuable when a nonstop, schedule, or recovery option matters.

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 Tampa Bay 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. Do not treat the 0.2-point on-time-rate gap as decisive; compare the exact itinerary and carrier first.
• 2. Use St. Pete–Clearwater’s lower historical cancellation rate as a tie-breaker when its flight fits the trip.
• 3. Choose Tampa when its larger airline selection provides a better nonstop, more suitable hour, or practical backup options.

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

Is Tampa International more reliable than St. Pete–Clearwater?

Their historical on-time departure rates were essentially tied: 78.1% at Tampa and 77.9% at St. Pete–Clearwater from June 2024 through May 2026. St. Pete–Clearwater had a lower average delay and cancellation rate, while Tampa had a much broader airline network.

Which Tampa Bay airport had fewer cancellations?

St. Pete–Clearwater recorded a 1.6% cancellation rate, compared with 2.0% at Tampa International, in FlightRecord’s 24-month dataset. This is a historical rate, not a guarantee for a particular flight or travel day.

Why does the airline count matter when comparing these airports?

Tampa served 11 airlines in the dataset, while St. Pete–Clearwater was represented by one. More airline options can affect which nonstops are available and how many alternatives exist after a cancellation, even when airport-level historical reliability is similar.

Are Tampa Bay airport delay statistics enough to choose an airport?

No. Historical airport statistics should be combined with the route, airline, scheduled hour, fare, ground transportation, and live conditions. The small difference in on-time rate here means those trip-specific factors are especially important.