• There were 749 total U.S. flight delays caused by unauthorized drone activity between January and September 2025, indicating a rising risk to air travel.
• Boston, Massachusetts, ranked as the city with the highest number of drone-related flight disruptions during the study period, recording 141 incidents.
• The surge in drone sightings, including near-misses with aircraft, is prompting calls for implementing stricter legislation and using advanced technology for drone detection.
• Massachusetts, California, and New York were identified as the states with the highest number of drone-related flight delays across the surveyed timeframe

A study conducted by Getac, which analyzed Federal Aviation Administration data from January to September 2025, identified the U.S. cities and states facing the highest risk of flight disruptions due to unauthorized drone activity. The overall data indicates that 749 flight delays occurred nationwide during this eight-month period due to drone sightings near airports, highlighting a rising threat to air safety, particularly during peak travel seasons like Christmas and New Year’s.

The research ranked Boston, Massachusetts, as the city most affected, recording a staggering 141 flight disruptions caused by drone sightings. This figure is significantly higher than the second-ranked city, New York, which recorded 76 disruptions. Los Angeles, California, followed in third place with 48 disruptions. The study noted that Las Vegas, Nevada, ranked ninth, having experienced 24 drone-related flight disruptions during the timeframe.

The rising frequency of drone sightings in restricted airspace, including reports of near-misses with passenger jets, has prompted calls for stricter legislation and improved security measures. A spokesperson for Getac emphasized the potential catastrophic consequences of an aircraft colliding with a drone and the urgent need for enhanced technology to detect illegal drones. The use of sophisticated detection mechanisms, possibly incorporating AI systems and military technology, is suggested as a necessary step, rather than relying solely on public reports or potentially hazardous methods like attempting to shoot down drones.

At the state level, Massachusetts recorded the highest number of flight delays caused by drone activity (141), followed by California (102) and New York (79). The data underscores that despite existing laws prohibiting drone use near critical facilities and airports, several major metropolitan areas remain hotspots for this illegal activity. Travelers are advised that these disruptions are likely to cause increased wait times and delays.