US Weather Update: A powerful winter storm in the continental United States caused widespread flight cancellations and delays at major airports across the country and affected nearly 180 million people over the weekend, the AP reported.
More than 11,400 flights were canceled on Saturday (January 25) alone, mainly in the Northeast, at some of the nation’s busiest airports, he added, citing data from flight-tracking website FlightAware.
The weather was freezing as more than half of the US population battled snow, sleet and freezing rain in an area stretching from the southern Rockies to New England, the AP reported, citing the National Weather Service, late Saturday.
The storm moved into the northeastern US on Sunday and is expected to dump about 1 to 2 feet of snow from Washington through New York and Boston, it added.
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Watch: The number of canceled flights at Washington’s Reagan International Airport
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What is the flight situation on Monday and Tuesday?
According to a CNBC report, more than 3,000 flights scheduled for Monday have already been canceled as airlines need time to recalibrate services after the storm. Among larger airports, Boston’s airport had 60% cancellations on Monday and New York’s LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy airports had more than 40% cancellations, while Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey had about 33% cancellations on Monday, he added.
As of this writing on Tuesday, about 34 flights have been canceled, the CNBC report added.
However, only 34 Tuesday flights have been canceled so far.
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Big Winter Storm Hits US: Here’s Everything We Know
- More than 11,400 flights were canceled Sunday, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.
- This winter storm is the highest recorded cancellation event in the US since the COVID-19 pandemic through January 25, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.
- Among the airports that saw the largest number of cancellations was New York’s LaGuardia Airport, which was closed on Sunday afternoon under a directive from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). All flights at Northeast Airport were suspended until 8:00 p.m.
- Other airports with high cancellations were also in the Northeast and Midwest — 94% or 326 flights were canceled at Philadelphia Airport, 91% or 436 flights were canceled at LaGuardia Airport (New York), 80% or 466 flights were canceled at John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York), FlightAware data showed.
- Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport said on its website that all airlines had canceled departures for the day — 421 flights.
- Other major airports affected by the disruptions included Atlanta (the busiest in the US), Charlotte and Dallas-Fort Worth.
- Among airlines: American Airlines canceled more than 1,790 flights, or 55%, for Sunday, while Delta Air Lines canceled more than 1,470 flights, Southwest Airlines reported more than 1,340 cancellations and United Airlines about 1,016 cancellations, FlightAware data showed. JetBlue canceled over 590 flights or 72% of its service that day.
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Answers to frequently asked questions: What can passengers do? Can you get a refund?
My flight was canceled, what now?
If you’re already at the airport, get in line and speak to a customer service representative. If you’re still at home or in your hotel, call or go online to connect with your airline’s reservations staff. Either way, it also helps to research alternative flights while you wait to speak with an agent.
Most airlines will rebook you on a later flight at no extra charge, but subject to seat availability.
Can I get a reservation on another airline?
You can, but airlines don’t have to put you on another carrier’s flight. Some airlines, including most of the major carriers, say they can put you on a partner airline, but even that can be a hit and miss.
If your flight has been canceled and you no longer want to travel, or you have found another way to get to your destination, the airline is legally required to refund your money – even if you bought a non-refundable ticket. It doesn’t matter why the flight was cancelled.
The airline may offer you travel credit, but you are entitled to a full refund. You are also entitled to a refund for baggage fees, seat upgrades or other extras that you could not use.
Key things
- The winter storm caused more than 11,400 flight cancellations and affected major airports across the country.
- Passengers are entitled to a refund for canceled flights regardless of the type of ticket.
- Airlines will need time to recalibrate their flight schedules after such massive outages.
