Saturday’s flight cancellations due to winter storms impact the East Coast

Another round of winter weather is wreaking havoc on air travel. The storm that first caused travel chaos in Texas on Thursday has now caused flight delays and cancellations to pile up across the South and mid-Atlantic regions as the weekend gets underway.

Airlines canceled more than 3,500 flights on Friday, according to data from Flight recognition. Another 6,700 flights were delayed.

By mid-morning Saturday, another 750 flights had been canceled, according to FlightAware, and it is likely that disruptions will continue to increase this weekend.

Help! Here’s what to do if your flight is canceled or delayed

For the second day in a row on Saturday, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) was the hardest hit, with 125 departures canceled so far. That was after Atlanta – busiest airport in the world – saw more than three-quarters of flights canceled on Friday.

By mid-morning Saturday, the Federal Aviation Administration reported significant ground delays at the hub, headquarters of Delta Air Lines.

Atlanta was followed in the number of canceled flights by Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in the southeast hub, with nearly 110 flights closed on Saturday. The airport saw more than 40% of departures canceled on Friday.

Also hit hard in the past few days: Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) and Nashville International Airport (BNA), among others.

Friday was a particularly chaotic day at airports across the country.

By mid-morning Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration suspended air traffic at both Atlanta and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) due to frigid weather conditions.

All five of Atlanta’s runways were closed earlier Friday to allow crews to clear snow and ice, Delta said.

The carrier warned there could be additional disruptions throughout the weekend.

“The safety of our customers and Delta employees is our primary focus as we manage disruptions to our operations,” Delta told TPG on Friday.

Adding to the mayhem, a Delta Boeing 757 jet arrived at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) had to temporarily suspend takeoffs in Atlanta after pilots received signs of engine problems. A spokesperson for the airline confirmed that the 201 passengers on board had to evacuate the plane using an emergency slide before returning to the terminal by ground vehicle.

Four passengers reported minor injuries, the airport said.

Meanwhile, it was another difficult weekend at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), which saw more than 1,000 flights canceled from Thursday to Friday.

This winter blowout is just the latest setback for the major hub and American Airlines, its dominant carrier. The airport had to suspend flights several times this week because of high winds and had to battle it out persistent fierce storms during the busy travel period late last month.

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In total, more than 6,400 flights nationwide have been canceled since this winter storm first brought cold weather to North Texas on Thursday.

That number is expected to increase on Saturday due to disruptions left over from Friday and as the storm affects other parts of the East Coast.

Airlines prepare for Southeast winter boom

Several major US airlines have issued travel advisories for dozens of airports from Texas to Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Such a waiver allows travelers more flexibility to change their tickets for free to avoid having to travel during major weather events. (Airlines have also issued similar waivers for areas in Southern California affected by the ongoing forest fires.)

In the midst of this latest winter storm, Delta has issued a travel warning for a large area in the Southeast, including its huge ATL base.

America is vast travel warning includes a series of southeast airports, including downtown Charlotte.

On social media Friday, that airport said it had nearly 40 snow removal and de-icing trucks responding to the storm.

The National Weather Service on Thursday warned the storm would strengthen and spread a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain across the South and Southeast.

The same storm system could bring cold conditions and more flight disruptions to the mid-Atlantic and Northeast over the weekend, Accuweather added.

This latest round of weather-related flight disruptions comes after an earlier winter storm derailed thousands of flights from January 4 to 6 and caused Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to be grounded. stop working. closed its runway on Monday.

What to do if you fly this week

If you’re worried about your upcoming travel plans this weekend, here’s how you can prepare.

Review your options

Now is a good time to check whether your trip is covered by air travel advisories.

Specifically regarding this impending winter storm, you will want to review the information listed in the “Winter Storm Cora” section.

These tips can give you more flexibility in making itinerary changes, even if you’re flying on a limited regular ticket.

Below is a list of current warnings from the largest US carriers:

Track your airline’s app

Make sure you download the airline’s app and keep your booking intact. Keep an eye out for announcements about your flight and any signs of potential trouble with your itinerary.

If your flight is delayed or canceled, the airline may give you the opportunity to rebook right away through the app, eliminating the need to wait to speak to customer service.

Read more: Flight canceled or delayed? Here’s what to do next

See a good reset option? Don’t delay

If you’re struggling with a flight delay and see a half-hearted rebooking option appear in your airline app, don’t waste a second: Lock it!

With thousands of flights canceled from their regular schedules due to bad weather, large numbers of passengers are simultaneously vying for seats on flights that take off on time – and those seats can fill up quickly.

Review your refund rights

Now is a good time for you to improve right to a refund when it comes to air travel.

According to U.S. Department of Transportation policy, airlines must refund you for the unflown portion of your ticket when your flight is canceled or significantly delayed — only if you choose not to fly (and don’t accept rebooking).

This rule applies even if a flight is disrupted by bad weather, and it can be helpful if you choose to stay home rather than catch a later flight in the middle of a winter storm.

Think carefully about checking your luggage

Finally, you might think twice about checking bags – at least if you can avoid it. Often, flying amid cancellations and delays means needing to switch to a new flight at the last minute. It could also mean that the 90-minute connection window you had planned for, say, Charlotte, could become a lot tighter.

Keeping all your luggage on hand can mean less wrinkles if you need to rebook on the fly — and eliminate the risk of your bags not making it onto your connecting flight.

Just remember: Putting all your belongings in a carry-on bag means everything in your suitcase must comply with Transportation Security Administration regulations. 3-1-1 liquid policy.

Receive compensation when your flight is delayed

Airlines have made numerous promises to the DOT regarding meals, hotel accommodations and other services. ensure in case of flight cancellations and major delays. Remember, however, these generally apply to “manageable” disruptions (like maintenance or staffing issues) and often have that effect. Are not Applicable when bad weather affects travel.

This is place one Travel credit cards offer travel insurance can be useful, helping you offset unexpected expenses when a flight crashes and leaves you stranded. One catch: In most cases, you’ll typically need to book your travel with that card to make a successful claim.

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