While US travelers prepare for yet another hectic holiday travel period, this Sunday, December 1st has experienced numerous delays on all major US airports across the country. Inclement weather, insufficient staffing levels, and peak volumes are disrupting domestic as well as international flights. If flying from a big hub airport or one of the small regional airports, you can monitor possible delays to ease out the rest of the way.
Keystones Affected by Delays
Some of the airports have been severely affected by the cancellations and delays. Among them are New York, Chicago, and Dallas.
New York City (JFK, LaGuardia, Newark)
New York’s three major airports-JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty-are operating under heavy delays on December 1st. Since the airports are busy areas for most travelers, usually over weekends, flight delays have been incurred by bad weather, which includes heavy rain and low visibility affecting flight schedules mostly concerning arrival. Expect delays of up to 90 minutes, especially at the three major airlines-Amercian Airlines, Delta, and United.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport, a gateway for domestic and international airlines, also saw a serious number of delays. Because of fog, arrivals and departures were slowed considerably. Delays averaged around 30 to 60 minutes by noon Sunday; however, the situation was expected to deteriorate through the rest of the day. Passengers who are flying from or to Chicago should check again frequently and add extra time to plans to go through the airports.
Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, another hub transit point, is not spared from the mess; though the delays have primarily affected morning flights. Poor ceiling conditions and very poor visibility have also been a reason for flight delays, especially from the East Coast and Midwest. Airlines, like Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, and Spirit, experienced slight delays, mostly on connecting flights. Travelers leaving DFW, on the other hand, are likely to wait for over 30 minutes while arrival is likely to take almost an hour.
Causes of Flight Delays:
Flight delays on Sunday, December 1st can be attributed to a mix of weather conditions, air traffic congestion, and staffing shortages. Airports in the Northeast and Midwest are coping with rain and fog, which have slowed down air traffic and caused scheduling bottlenecks. Furthermore, the heavy holiday travel season has put added pressure on airlines and airport staff, further contributing to longer wait times both in the air and on the ground.
This, combined with the problems being faced by various airlines in their operation that results in a staffing problem and late departure, increases cancellations and delays to more than normal levels.
How to Stay Informed About Flight Status
If you’re traveling then it’s crucial to stay informed about any changes to your flight status. Here are some tips for tracking your flight:
- Check your airline’s app or website: Most airlines provide real-time updates on delays, cancellations, and gate changes. You should enable notifications about any updates related to your flight.
- Monitor airport screens: Most airports have digital displays showing the status of flights in real-time, including delays and cancellations.
- Use third-party apps: Tools like FlightAware and FlightRadar24 enable you to track flights in real time and update you about delays and cancellations.
Conclusion
Sunday, December 1st was very challenging for travel for many passengers in the U.S. Weather disruptions as well as a huge number of travelers will be problematic for traveling. Advise your passengers of flight statuses and prepare them for possible delays, so even when the challenges at the airports and airlines loom heavy on such busy travel days.
