Here are the U.S. airports where you are most likely to miss your connection

As the 2026 summer travel season approaches, a new data-driven ranking from AirAdvisor has sent a clear warning to U.S. travelers: your choice of layover might be the most dangerous part of your itinerary. The Summer Connection Risk Index analyzed 20 major global hubs, and the results for American infrastructure are sobering. Four major U.S. airports have landed in the "high-risk" tier, signaling a summer of potential disruptions for millions.

Topping the list—and ranking dead last globally—is Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) is officially the world's riskiest hub for connections with a score of just 6.15. Last summer, more than one in seven departures ran at least an hour late. During peak summer months, that figure spiked to a staggering 16.9%, meaning roughly one in six flights experienced significant delays. For passengers booking tight 90-minute windows, the data suggests this isn't a safety margin; it’s a gamble.

DFW is not alone in the danger zone. Chicago O’Hare (Rank 19), New York JFK (Rank 18), and Miami International (Rank 17) round out a high-risk tier defined by structural failures.

Chicago O’Hare: With 1 in 7 flights delayed by over an hour, O’Hare’s massive volume and susceptibility to summer storms leave no margin for error.

New York JFK: While its 9.91% delay rate looks better on paper, JFK is hamstrung by the most congested airspace in the country. When nearby Newark or LaGuardia backs up, JFK inevitably follows.

Miami International: Here, daily summer thunderstorms act as a "shutdown switch," leading to long recovery times once a schedule falls behind.

Interestingly, airports often maligned by travelers—like Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson and Los Angeles International—actually performed better than their reputations suggest, landing in the "moderate" risk band.

As travelers prepare for a record-breaking summer, including the influx of World Cup fans, the message is clear: the airport you choose matters more than the airline you fly. To protect your trip, experts recommend booking single-ticket itineraries to ensure compensation rights and, whenever possible, avoiding the high-risk four.

Riskiest U.S. airports for connections according to Airadvisor

1. Dallas/Fort Worth—High Risk
2. Chicago O'Hare—High Risk
3. New York JFK—High Risk
4. Miami International—High Risk
5. Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson—Moderate Risk
6. Los Angeles International—Moderate Risk