Tip of the week: How to find an on-time flight

Be early to rise. At this time of year, “thunderstorms tend to hit in late afternoon.” Book flights for as early as 6 or 7 a.m. because, “as a rule,” later departures are more often delayed.

Don’t fly ‘direct.’ So-called direct flights aren’t what they sound like, and are notorious for stopping en route. Nonstop flights are your best option.

Fly on Saturdays. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association often recommends Saturday as the “best day” to travel. For the “best days to fly from 29 of the nation’s largest airports,” see Natca.org/mediacenter/AvoidDelaysTips.msp.

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Switch airports. Try a city’s regional airports. Last year, more flights left on time from Chicago’s Midway than from O’Hare International. For “on-time statistics by flight, airline, or airport,” consult Bts.gov/programs/airline_information.

Source: Consumer Reports