travel report manchester

Traffic and Travel

Manchester traffic and travel news, updates, incidents, accidents and more

Greater Manchester has a large and busy public transport and motorway system. Motorways in the region include the M60 ring road, M56, M62 , M602, M66 , M67 and M6. There is also a Metrolink tram system and major rail terminals at Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria.

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Live traffic updates for your whole journey

Links to free online tools providing live traffic information for your whole journey.

Greater Manchester Roadworks

Find full details of roadworks taking place in Greater Manchester on TfGM's dedicated gmroadworks.org website.

Traffic England

Visit Traffic England for live traffic and incident information on major roads managed by Highways England.

For Scotland and Wales visit: Traffic Scotland Traffic Wales

Google Maps

As well as displaying live traffic information in it's journey planning and navigation tools, Google Maps has a dedicated commute feature in it's apps, informing you of delays and alternative routes for your daily commute.

Waze is a communinty based route navigation app giving you live traffic updates, jouney times, roadwork and incident information, submitted by Waze users.

Tom Tom provides a free online journey planning tool using the same live traffic information available in their satellite navigation equipment and app.

Navigate your journey and receive real time traffic updates using the HERE WeGo app.

Plan your jouney and see where there are traffic delays and roadworks on your route using RAC's online journey planner.

See live traffic traffic incidents and roadworks on the AA website.

Plan your journey and see live traffic information using Bing Maps.

Built into Apple devices, Apple Maps sends you live traffic alerts, and lets you plan your journey and navigate your route based on live traffic information.

Travel included with Co-op Live tickets

Co-op Live ticket holders can travel on the tram and new city centre shuttle buses.

Say yellow to the Bee Network

Buses in Oldham, Rochdale and parts of Bury, Salford and north Manchester joined the Bee Network on 24 March.

New sponsor: Starling Bank Bikes

We’re delighted to welcome Starling Bank on board as the new sponsors of our bike hire scheme.

Manchester City Matchday Buses

We've teamed up with Manchester City to launch a large-scale bus trial helping fans from across Greater Manchester and nearby areas to travel to and from the Etihad Stadium on a matchday.

Rate your journey

We want to hear your views to help us deliver a better Bee Network for Greater Manchester.

Planned engineering works on Metrolink

Visit our dedicated webpage to find out how the works could affect your journeys.

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Traffic incidents

The following traffic incidents and congestion for M6 have been reported by Highways England, Traffic Scotland, Traffic Wales or Transport for London (TfL) in the last two hours:

M6 Roadworks

The following roadworks have been reported by various highways agencies and official transport sources.Click on a roadworks item to view more details on the traffic map.

The M6 motorway is one of the most important motorways in the United Kingdom, and is one of the longest in Europe. It links the cities of Carlisle, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool. The motorway first opened in 1958, but the current route has been extended, upgraded and improved numerous times over the years to meet increased demand.

In terms of safety, the M6 motorway has a good safety record. According to the Department for Transport, 28 people were killed and 534 were seriously injured on the M6 in 2017. This compares to an average of 37 killed and 617 seriously injured on all trunk roads in England during the same period. Despite this, Road Safety charity Brake still urge motorists to drive safely and with care when travelling on the M6.

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Live Email Traffic Alerts

Get live email alerts whenever there is a traffic incident or roadworks on the M6 that may cause congestion or jams.

LEGAL NOTICE

Please remember that it is against the law to use your mobile phone, tablet or any electronic device without a hands-free kit whilst driving.If you're caught by the police using any device that can send or receive data whilst driving or riding a motorcyle you'll get an automatic fixed penalty notice, 6 points on your licence and a fine of £200.A court could also disqualify you from driving.

Elsewhere on the web:

Official source of traffic updates.

Transport for London's (TfL) portal for transportation in London.

The Welsh government's traffic information service for Wales.

Live traffic conditions and news for Scotland's road network.

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Except where otherwise noted, content and photographs on this site are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License . Owned, operated and copyright CliqTo Ltd 2024 and Chris Haycock . Registered company number 7575287. Page (M6) cached at 17/04/2024 04:04:08

Manchester   Travel Guide

Why Go To Manchester

If you could see what Manchester was like a couple of centuries ago, you would've viewed an industrial city as it churned out cotton. In fact, it was the world's first industrialized city. Sure, Manchester pays homage to its roots with a handful of museums and the preservation of some historic buildings, but Manchester hardly dwells in the past. Rather than cotton, these days, Manchester is cranking out a contagious energy. Today, the Capital of the North is defined by music – bands like The Smiths, Blossoms and Oasis all got their starts here. The city is also fervent about its soccer (or football, in the U.K.): In fact, Manchester United might well be one of the world's most revered teams. And when it comes to food, you'll find that Manchester's restaurant scene is experiencing new energy. It's known for its vegan and vegetarian cuisine, as well as halal.

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• # 4 in Best Day Trips from London

Best of Manchester

Best hotels in manchester.

• # 1 in Stock Exchange Hotel
• # 2 in Native Manchester
• # 3 in Dakota Manchester

Best Things to Do in Manchester

• # 1 in John Rylands Library
• # 2 in Manchester Art Gallery
• # 3 in Old Trafford

Popular Tours

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Manchester Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best time to visit Manchester is between June and August when the weather is warm and the city's events calendar is packed. The months between September and December act as a sweet spot before the rather dreary low season of January and February. March through May is another shoulder season when temperatures begin to rise. 

Weather in Manchester

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

Manchester is an ancient city Its history dates to A.D. 79 when the Romans built the Mamucium fort. But that doesn't mean Manchester is stuck in the past.

It rains a lot Be sure to bring an umbrella and be prepared for wet weather.

It's known for music and football Live music and football (or soccer) matches are Manchester mainstays. Try to experience both.

How to Save Money in Manchester

Steer clear of football season Anytime there's a football match in Manchester, you can bet hotel prices will be high.

See free attractions Many of Manchester's top attractions cost nothing to enter.

Hop on the bus The Manchester free bus provides complimentary transportation around the city center, making it easy to access top attractions like John Rylands Library , the National Football Museum and the Manchester Art Gallery , among others.

Culture & Customs

Don't even think about criticizing the beloved Manchester United or Manchester City football teams. Even though locals are known for their hospitality, they're also very loyal to their football teams.

Although the official language in the U.K. is English, you might be surprised that some locals are hard to understand, as Manchester has its own unique dialect. They also use a number of words in different contexts. For example, "scran" is another word for "food." Or to say, "That's great," a local might say, "That's mint" or “It's top!"

When it comes to currency, you'll be using the British pound sterling. Since the pound to U.S. dollar exchange rate fluctuates, be sure to check what the current exchange rate is before you go. Major credit cards are accepted at most restaurants and shops. And in case you're wondering about tipping, here are the rules: In sit-down restaurants, it has become customary to tip about 10%. In a taxi, rounding the fare to the nearest 1 pound (about $1.30) should be sufficient. No tip is expected in bars and pubs.

The British are generally reserved and polite and generally don't do a lot of touching. You'll want to be sure to shake hands, with a light touch (unlike Americans who prefer a firm handshake), and keep your hands (not elbows) on the table during meals. The British also like their personal space, so don't stand too closely.

What to Eat

Manchester has a vibrant restaurant scene. Check out its food halls and food markets at establishments like the Altrincham Market food hall where you can choose from multiple purveyors, or nosh on street food and craft beer at GRUB Food Fair open every Friday and Saturday. Don't miss The Corn Exchange , which houses multiple restaurants inside a beautiful building. We also recommend trying some Indian food on Curry Mile in Manchester, which has the highest concentration of Asian restaurants in the U.K. 

When it comes to drinks, grab a pint or two at The Oakfield , a British pub in Chester Zoo or The Eagle Inn in Salford close to Victoria train station. For an upscale bar, Cloud 23 at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate has the city's highest views (on the 23rd floor of the hotel) with floor-to-ceiling windows. It offers light bites and desserts. And this city is especially known for its beer, boasting more than 30 breweries within striking distance. You can even tour some like Dunham Massey Brewing Company and Martland Mill Brewery , among others.

Manchester is a pretty safe place to visit, but as with all major cities, you should keep your valuables out of sight to protect against pickpockets, muggers or "snatch and grabs" of phones, bags and jewelry. The most violent crimes occur in the city's Gay Village neighborhood. Picadilly Gardens also sees a high number of crimes, so take extra precaution in these areas. If you're taking taxis, make sure they are the licensed black cabs from a taxi rank. Terrorist attacks in Europe have also been on the rise; in 2017, 23 people died following a bombing at a concert at Manchester Arena. The U.S. Department of State advises signing up for STEP (the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) to stay updated on security threats.

Getting Around Manchester

The best way to get around Manchester is on foot due thanks to the city compact layout. It's also easy to get around by bike with many dedicated bicycle lanes. If you get tired, hop on a Metrolink tram, which can reach most places in the city quickly and efficiently. There's also a free bus network, covering most of the city center. If you need to get somewhere quickly, you can always rely on the city's regulated black taxis.

Manchester Airport (MAN) is the city's closest airport (located 10 miles south of the city center), and the U.K.'s third-largest airport. Direct flights are available from many U.S. cities. You can take a black taxi from the airport to the city center for around 22 to 28 pounds (roughly $29 to $37) to travel 10 miles. You can also take a train to Manchester's Piccadilly Station or a Metrolink tram; trains run between the airport and the city center roughly every 10 minutes with one-way trips costing approximately 3 pounds (about $4) online. Metrolink trams, which run every 12 to 15 minutes, take airport travelers to Cornbrook outside the city center, and you can take a variety of trams into the city center from there.

If you're coming from London , trains to Manchester leave from London's Euston station; the 200-mile trip takes around two to three hours. You can also get from London to Manchester by bus; a number of different coach companies offer the service, including Megabus and National Express.

Entry & Exit Requirements

United States citizens will need a valid passport valid for the duration of your stay in order to visit the U.K. Note that U.S. citizens do not need a visa unless they plan on staying in the U.K. longer than six months. Visit the U.S. State Department's website for more information.

The idyllic Shambles Square is home to four pubs and one of the only surviving Tudor buildings in Manchester city center.

Explore More of Manchester

Things To Do

Best hotels.

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Manchester Traffic Report

Travel warnings and road closures information issued ahead of Manchester Marathon 2024

The network is going to busyyyy.

Greater Manchester residents have been warned to ‘travel smart’ this weekend, with the huge Manchester Marathon 2024 taking place.

There’ll be plenty of road closures around the region to facilitate the event, which will see around 32,000 runners pounding the pavements throughout south Manchester.

Taking place on Sunday 14 April, the 26.2 mile race will also attract thousands of spectators.

Some road closures will be in place across the weekend, and people have been warned that roads and public transport will both be busier than normal.

TfGM is expecting the network in Manchester and Trafford to be very busy before, during and after the race.

Many bus services will be diverted and there may be displaced traffic and congestion.

TfGM has also said that the tram will be the best way to travel to the event, whether you’re one of the brave souls running or just going to cheer them on.

There’ll be a seven-and-a-half minute frequency of Metrolink services along the Altrincham line, with extra double trams to handle increased capacity.

The Manchester Marathon 2024 route will start below the Trafford Arch before heading into the city centre, then will pass through Sale, Altrincham, Timperley, Chorlton and Hulme, before reaching the finish line near the Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground.

Mancs have been asked to ‘travel smart’ and leave cars at home, using park and ride services to reach the route on trams.

There’s a dedicated travel page for the Manchester Marathon 2024, and the Bee Network app will also have live departures and travel alerts.

Fran Wilkinson, customer and growth director at TfGM, said: “The Manchester Marathon is always a fantastic occasion. We wish everyone taking part the best of luck and are looking forward to helping runners and spectators get to and from the event as smoothly as possible.

“It’s sure to be a busy day and we’d encourage anyone travelling on Sunday – whether their trip is for the marathon or other reasons – to please check our dedicated webpage for how your journey may be impacted by road closures, bus diversions and busy periods.

“To avoid congestion and for a more enjoyable trip, consider jumping on the tram and using a contactless payment for a fast and efficient way to travel. Park and Ride sites also provide a free place to park before completing your journey on the tram to the race.

“If you are coming as a spectator, why not avoid the busy start and finish points and cheer on your runner from one of the lovely places along the route – whether that’s Sale, Altrincham, Chorlton or somewhere else- and enjoy what south Manchester has to offer?

“All the areas along the route are served by tram stops and it’s more likely you’ll be able to get from A to B more easily.”

You can see the full list of road closures for the Manchester Marathon here .

The Manchester Marathon 2024 travel map, including road closures

• 2024 Manchester Marathon guide – start times, route, road closures and everything else you need to know
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Featured image: The Manc Group

The family of 21-year-old Lewis Durham who was tragically killed in a traffic collision last week have paid tribute to the “fun-loving character” and young man who had “the world at his feet”.

Lewis Durham and two other people were involved in the crash on 13 April, which saw the young man and another male on the back of his bike collide with a car on Ormskirk Road in Wigan around 7:15pm.

Durham, from the town of Workington in West Cumbria, was sadly declared dead at the scene and his 56-year-old passenger, who was also thrown from the bike, unfortunately passed away from his injuries after being rushed to hospital.

The driver of the vehicle, a 41-year-old male, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and causing serious injury following the incident. He has since been released on bail.

#TRIBUTE | The family of Lewis Durham have paid tribute to their ‘loving son, grandson, and little brother’. Lewis Durham, aged 21, sadly died after a road traffic collision on Ormskirk Road in Wigan. Read more here – https://t.co/wczaUXQMbx pic.twitter.com/dzwaSQWD3Z — Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) April 16, 2024

Writing in their emotional tribute via Greater Manchester Police , the Durham family wrote: “It is with great sadness that Lewis has been so tragically taken away from us. He sadly passed away in a road traffic accident in Wigan on Saturday 13th April.

“The youngest in our family with the world at his feet. He’s left a huge hole in our family, our hearts are absolutely broken. He was always a happy, fun-loving character, who had everything going for him in life, loved by everyone and had the best of friends. A loving son, grandson, and little brother.

“We’d like to thank the emergency services and people who assisted him at the scene who comforted him in maybe his last moments. We’ll cherish every memory we have of you, Lewis.

“We’re all beyond proud of you and will miss and love you forever. You’re now the brightest star in the sky Lewis. Love you forever and always Mam, Dad, Grandma, Granda, Nana, and your two big sisters.”

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Our thoughts are with Lewis’ loved ones during this difficult time. A GoFundMe has now been set up by his best mate Leo McMullen to help “raise some money to give to charity and mark his memory”. It has already surpassed its £3k target, with over £11,000 raised across 600+ donations.

You can donate HERE .

It’s been an emotional couple of weeks for the Wigan community also, as locals and the rugby league world at large united in mourning the loss of 21-year-old Gabriel Holt earlier this month.

Rest in peace.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester,  subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE .

Featured Images — Greater Manchester Police/ DPP Law (via Flickr)

Today is your last day to register to vote in Greater Manchester’s local and mayoral elections, as the deadline ends at midnight tonight.

With less than a month to go until the big election day arrives, residents across the Greater Manchester region are being urged to make sure they’re registered to vote and have their voter photo ID ready, so that they’re able to head to the polls and have their say on who makes the important decisions that affect them.  

In order to vote in the local and mayoral elections on Thursday 2 May, Greater Manchester residents must register before midnight tonight (Tuesday 16 April).

It takes just five minutes to apply on the gov.uk website .

They’re registered to vote, are you? The deadline to register to vote in the local elections and Greater Manchester Mayoral election on 2 May is 16 April. Make sure you're registered. Visit your local council's website. #GMElects pic.twitter.com/rtDresDZQr — Greater Manchester Combined Authority (@greatermcr) April 14, 2024

This year, residents across Greater Manchester will be voting in two elections, with residents in Salford voting in three elections.

These are for the Mayor of Greater Manchester Combined Authority – who is a major figure in the political life of the city-region, with unique powers and responsibilities – and for local Councillors , who are elected to represent their local area and residents, and get to contribute to the development of local policies too.

On top of this, Salford residents will also be voting for The Salford City Mayor too, who is Salford’s political, strategic, and community leader, and has overall responsibility for the delivery of all council services.

In case you aren’t quite up to speed, nominations for Mayor candidates closed on Friday 5 April, and that means there’s a total of six people standing in the third election for the Mayor of Greater Manchester – with current Mayor, Labour and Co-operative’s, Andy Burnham , being one of them.

The candidates nominated to stand in the election for the Mayor for Greater Manchester Combined Authority are:

• Jake Austin (Liberal Democrats)
• Dan Barker (Reform UK)
• Nick Buckley (Independent)
• Andy Burnham (Labour and Co-operative)
• Laura Evans (The Conservative Party
• Hannah Kathrine Spencer (Green Party)

As always, there are different ways to vote in the elections next month.

You can either do so at your local polling station, by post, or by proxy – which means appointing someone to vote on your behalf – with the deadline to apply for a postal vote in these elections being 5pm this Wednesday (17 April), and the deadline for applying for a proxy vote being 5pm on Wednesday 24 April.

As mentioned, residents will need to show a valid form of photo ID at the polling station, such as a passport, driving licence, some types of bus pass or proof of age card, or a free Voter Authority Certificate.

According to GMCA, every registered voter in Greater Manchester will have started to receive an election booklet explaining more about the election, and election addresses prepared by each of the candidates, in the post from yesterday (Monday 15 April), as required by law.

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More information about the elections taking place in Greater Manchester, including information about voter ID, registering to vote, and applying for a postal or proxy vote, can be found at  www.gmelects.org.uk .

Featured Image – gov.uk

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•   Weather

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Use our interactive traffic map to get the latest information about construction and congestion on the roadways. Use it to plan your route and stay ahead of headaches on the asphalt so you can get where you need to go. 

Click the menu on the lower left of the traffic map to see additional interactive options.

Sign up to receive email alerts when severe weather happens in your area. You can also view current severe weather warnings & watches for Manchester and surrounding areas on the WMUR alerts page. Check the latest weather conditions, get location-specific push alerts on your phone & view our Interactive Radar at any time with the WMUR News 9 app.

Manchester's roads close for marathon

Roads around Manchester have closed as thousands of runners pass through the city's streets for the UK's second largest marathon.

People have been warned to expect travel disruption during the event, which started at 08:55 at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground.

The route covers the city centre, Chorlton, Altrincham, Hulme, Stretford and other areas of Trafford.

The Manchester Marathon attracted 24,000 entrants last year.

The event includes elite entrants alongside first-time marathon runners and those raising funds for charity.

Most of affected roads are shut between 03:00 and 20:00 BST on Sunday, organisers have said, but parts of Talbot Road and Warwick Road in Trafford shut from as early as 08:00 on Saturday.

A rolling series of closures will be in place along the rest of the course throughout Sunday, with some routes only open to one-way traffic.

Organisers are expecting 32,000 people take part in the race.

City road closures that are in place on Sunday include the following:

THE A56 SOUTHBOUND WILL BE CLOSED:

• 03:00 - 16:30 Deansgate Interchange to Edge Lane
• 07:30 - 20:00 Edge Lane to Ashfield Road (one lane open to access M60 from Green Street)
• 07:30 - 16:30 Ashfield Road to Stamford Brook Road

THE A56 NORTHBOUND WILL BE CLOSED:

• 03:00 - 20:00 Barton Road to Edge Lane
• 07:30 - 16:30 White City Circle to Deansgate Interchange
• 03:00 - 16:30 Edge Lane to White City Circle
• 07:30 - 16:30 Stamford Brook Road to Barton Road
• 07:30 - 14:00 John Dalton Street to Deansgate Interchange (in both directions)

M60 JUNCTION 7 CLOSED 06:30 - 20:00

There is no exit from the M60 at junction 7 in either direction. Traffic travelling in both directions that wish to leave the M60 at Junction 7 will need to leave at Junction 6, 8, or 9 depending on the destination.

Access on to the M60 at junction 7 will be restricted; the anticlockwise on slip road will remain accessible only for vehicles from the Stretford Meadows Estate, and the clockwise on slip road will remain accessible only for vehicles from the Sale Travelodge.

Why not follow BBC Manchester on Facebook , X and Instagram ? You can also send story ideas to [email protected]

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Air Travel Consumer Report: January 2024 Numbers

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today released its Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR) on airline operational data compiled for the month of January 2024 for on-time performance, mishandled baggage, and mishandled wheelchairs and scooters. The ATCR is designed to assist consumers with information on the quality of services provided by airlines. 

DOT expects that airlines will operate flights as scheduled and that when they do not, airlines will provide consumers the services consumers have been promised when a flight is canceled or delayed because of an airline issue. After a two-year DOT push to improve the passenger experience, the 10 largest airlines now guarantee meals and free rebooking on the same airline and nine guarantee hotel accommodations. Consumer-friendly information regarding airline commitments to their customers is available on the Department’s Airline Customer Service Dashboard at FlightRights.Gov. DOT also pushed airlines to provide fee-free family seating and rolled out a new family seating dashboard that highlights the airlines that guarantee fee-free family seating, and those of the 10 largest that do not, making it easier for parents to avoid paying junk fees to sit with their children when they fly.

In addition, DOT is improving transportation for individuals with disabilities. In July 2023, DOT finalized a rule which requires airlines to make lavatories on new, single-aisle aircraft more accessible. Then, in February 2024, DOT issued a proposal to address other barriers that Americans who use a wheelchair encounter when it comes to air travel by, among other things, mandating enhanced training for airline employees and contractors who physically assist passenger with disabilities and handle passengers’ wheelchairs.

Further, when necessary, DOT takes enforcement action against airlines and ticket agents that fail to comply with the Department’s aviation consumer protection requirements. In 2023, DOT issued the largest fines in the history of the consumer protection office. This includes a $140 million penalty against Southwest Airlines for failing passengers during the 2022 holiday meltdown. That penalty, which was in addition to over $600 million DOT already ensured was refunded by Southwest to passengers, requires Southwest to establish a $90 million compensation system for future passengers affected by significant delays and cancellations. DOT has helped return more than $3 billion in refunds to travelers since the pandemic began.

Flight Operations

The 560,352 flights operated in January 2024 were 99.56% of the 562,845 flights operated in January 2023. Operated flights in January 2024 were down 0.44% year-over-year from the 562,845 flights operated in January 2023 and down 7.18% month-over-month from 603,756 flights operated in December 2023. 

In January 2024, the 10 marketing network carriers reported 582,425 scheduled domestic flights, 22,073 (3.8%) of which were canceled. In December 2023, airlines scheduled 606,218 domestic flights, 2,462 (1.3%) of which were canceled. In January 2023, airlines scheduled 573,877 domestic flights, 11,032 (1.9%) of which were canceled.

On January 6, 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered the grounding of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft with a mid-cabin door plug installed operated by U.S. airlines or in U.S. territory. On January 24, 2024, FAA cleared all such aircraft to return to service after each aircraft operator successfully completed a new inspection process approved by the FAA. Alaska Airlines and United Airlines have informed the DOT that the grounding of the 737 MAX9 aircraft with the mid-cabin door plug installed has impacted their on-time statistics during this reporting period.

January 2024 On-Time Arrival

In January 2024, reporting marketing carriers posted an on-time arrival rate of 72.8%, down from both 83.9% in December 2023 and from 76.2% in January 2023.

Highest Marketing Carrier On-Time Arrival Rates January 2024 (ATCR Table 1)

• Delta Airlines Network – 77.8%
• Allegiant Air – 75.6%
• Southwest Airlines – 73.9% 

Lowest Marketing Carrier On-Time Arrival Rates January 2024 (ATCR Table 1)

• Alaska Airlines Network – 64.7%
• JetBlue Airways – 69.5%
• American Airlines Network – 70.5%

January 2024 Flight Cancellations

In January 2024, reporting marketing carriers canceled 3.8% of their scheduled domestic flights, higher than both the rate of 0.4% in December 2023 and the rate of 1.9% in January 2023. 

Lowest Marketing Carrier Rates of Canceled Flights January 2024 (ATCR Table 6)

• Hawaiian Airlines – 1.5%  
• Spirit Airlines – 1.5%   
• JetBlue Airways – 1.7%    

Highest Marketing Carrier Rates of Canceled Flights January 2024 (ATCR Table 6)

• Alaska Airlines Network – 11.9%    
• United Airlines Network – 6.9%    
• Southwest Airlines – 3.1%    

Complaints About Airline Service

The release of air travel service complaint data in the Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR) has been delayed primarily because of the continued high volume of complaints against airlines and ticket agents received by the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) and the time needed to review and process these consumer complaints. The Department is investing in modernizing its system for handling consumer complaints with the support of a Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) investment to improve the customer experience for the tens of thousands of consumers who use the system each year and enable OACP to more effectively engage in oversight of the airline industry. 

As DOT modernizes its system, given the continued high volume of air travel service complaints concerning airlines and ticket agents, DOT has revised how it processes consumer complaints received after June 1, 2023. From June 2023 until the date its system is modernized, DOT intends to revise the ATCR to display consumer submissions (complaints, inquiries, and opinions) as opposed to complaints for this period. The Department will continue to display civil rights complaints in the ATCR in a similar manner as before and anticipates publishing submission and civil rights complaint numbers in spring.

Tarmac Delays

In January 2024, airlines reported 71 tarmac delays of more than three hours on domestic flights, compared to five tarmac delays of more than three hours on domestic flights reported in December 2023. In January 2024, airlines reported six tarmac delays of more than four hours on international flights, compared to zero tarmac delays of more than four hours on international flights reported in December 2023. 

Airlines are required to have and adhere to assurances that they will not allow aircraft to remain on the tarmac for more than three hours for domestic flights and four hours for international flights without providing passengers the option to deplane, subject to exceptions related to safety, security, and Air Traffic Control related reasons. An exception also exists for departure delays if the airline begins to return the aircraft to a suitable disembarkation point to deplane passengers by those times.

The Department investigates extended tarmac delays.

Mishandled Baggage

In January 2024, reporting marketing carriers handled 37.4 million bags and posted a mishandled baggage rate of 0.75%, higher than both the rate of 0.50% in December 2023 and the rate of 0.73% in January 2023.

The Department began displaying the mishandled baggage data as a percentage (i.e., per 100 bags enplaned) in January 2022. This is consistent with the manner that the mishandled wheelchairs and scooters rate is calculated and displayed.     In the prior three calendar year reports (2019 to 2021), the Department calculated the mishandled baggage rate based on the number of mishandled bags per 1,000 checked bags. 

Mishandled Wheelchairs and Scooters

In January 2024, reporting marketing carriers reported checking 56,659 wheelchairs and scooters and mishandling 836 for a rate of 1.48% mishandled wheelchairs and scooters, higher than the rate of 1.39% mishandled in December 2023 and lower than the rate of 1.47% mishandled in January 2023.

As described earlier, in February 2024, the Department announced its proposal to strengthen its rule implementing the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) to address the serious problems that individuals with disabilities using wheelchairs and scooters face when traveling by air that impact their safety and dignity, including mishandled wheelchairs and scooters and improper transfers to and from aircraft seats, aisle chairs, and personal wheelchairs. The proposed rule would require that airlines meet strict standards in accommodating passengers with disabilities by setting new standards for prompt, safe, and dignified assistance, mandating enhanced training for airline employees and contractors who physically assist passengers with disabilities and handle passengers’ wheelchairs, and outlining actions that airlines must take to protect passengers when a wheelchair is damaged during transport. The proposed rule also clarifies that damaging or delaying the return of a wheelchair is an automatic violation of the ACAA.

Bumping/Oversales

Bumping/oversales data, unlike other air carrier data, are reported quarterly rather than monthly. For the fourth quarter of 2023, the 10 U.S. reporting marketing carriers posted an involuntary denied boarding, or bumping, rate of 0.20 per 10,000 passengers, lower than both the rate of 0.35 in the third quarter of 2023 and the rate of 0.30 in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Incidents Involving Animals

As part of its IT modernization, DOT’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) is improving the options for covered carriers to submit their monthly and annual Reports on Incidents Involving Animals During Air Transport. While the new system is being developed, OACP is permitting covered carriers to delay submission of reports on incidents involving animals during air transport. Annual data on such incidents will be published when DOT receives carriers’ complete submissions of the 2023 data. 

In January 2024, carriers reported zero incidents involving the death, injury, or loss of an animal while traveling by air, equal to the zero reports filed in both December 2023 and in January 2023.

Consumers may file air travel consumer or civil rights complaints online at   https://secure.dot.gov/air-travel-complaint , or they may mail a complaint to the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection, U.S. Department of Transportation, C-70, W96-432, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590.

The ATCR and other aviation consumer matters of interest to the public can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer .

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