Weather Cancels 65 US Flights, Delays 820 at Major Airports
At least 65 US flights were cancelled and 820 delayed by 9:58 a.m. EST, according to FlightAware. Low clouds, rain and wind hit airports in the Northeast, while storms threatened Florida. A travel finance expert advised passengers to use airline apps first.
At least 65 flights into or out of the United States were cancelled and 820 delayed as of 9:58 a.m. EST, according to the flight tracker FlightAware, as weather disrupted operations at several major airports.
Worldwide, FlightAware counted more than 10,261 delays and 456 cancellations over the same period. The site tracks live delay and cancellation figures in real time.
Where weather is the problem
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said low clouds, rain and wind may delay or cancel flights in Boston (BOS), Chicago (MDW, ORD), New York (EWR, JFK, LGA) and Philadelphia (PHL). Washington, D.C. airports (BWI, DCA, IAD) are also affected.
The agency added that low clouds may disrupt flights in Houston (HOU, IAH) and San Francisco (SFO).
In Florida, afternoon showers and thunderstorms could affect Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Miami (MIA).
What passengers can do
Travel experts and airlines recommend checking flight status regularly on the airline's website or app. They also suggest downloading the app and turning on notifications for gate changes, delays and cancellations.
If a flight is cancelled, travelers should rebook as soon as possible. Those with a connection should allow extra time when passing through a busy airport.
Passengers should keep essential items in their carry-on bags in case of long delays. They should also review the airline's refund and rebooking policies.
Josh Bandura, a travel finance expert and co-founder of Frugal Flyer, said booking method matters. "The travelers who come out of a meltdown like this in decent shape are usually the ones who booked directly with the airline instead of through a third party, because the airline can only rebook a ticket it controls," he said.
Bandura said status with an airline helps "mostly by moving you up the queue." His advice: "work the app before you join the gate line, since rebooking options tend to appear there before an agent can offer them."
He also cautioned against accepting the first offer after a rebooking. "There is often residual value left in the original ticket, and you have more rights than the agent has time to explain," Bandura said.
