This week US airports experienced widespread delays, raising concerns about the upcoming 4th of July holiday. Thunderstorms in the Northeast caused delays of several hours and posed a major test for airlines struggling to keep up with rising passenger numbers.
This week US airports experienced widespread delays, raising concerns about the upcoming 4th of July holiday. Thunderstorms in the Northeast caused delays of several hours and posed a major test for airlines struggling to keep up with rising passenger numbers.
Samrat Ghosh, who is visiting India with his family after almost five years, had the worst time this week and was able to reach his home country after about 96 hours of travel.
Samrat Ghosh, who is visiting India with his family after almost five years, had the worst time this week and was able to reach his home country after about 96 hours of travel.
Ghosh says, “Our trip began with a 20-minute delay in boarding an American Airlines flight from Charlotte to New York (JFK) due to thunderstorms. The flight itself took off 40 minutes late and when we reached JFK we suffered another hour delay in landing due to bad weather and poor visibility. This delay was a concern as we had a connecting flight to Doha in just 30 minutes.”
Ghosh says, “Our trip began with a 20-minute delay in boarding an American Airlines flight from Charlotte to New York (JFK) due to thunderstorms. The flight itself took off 40 minutes late and when we reached JFK we suffered another hour delay in landing due to bad weather and poor visibility. This delay was a concern as we had a connecting flight to Doha in just 30 minutes.”
Despite their concerns, they made it to the gate in time, only to find that they had not been checked in properly in Charlotte and their seats had been sold to other passengers
Despite their concerns, they made it to the gate in time, only to find that they had not been checked in properly in Charlotte and their seats had been sold to other passengers
“In frustration we were referred to American Guest Services where we had to go back and forth between counters and finally found out that the next available flight was to Doha in two days. We reluctantly booked a hotel in New York and took advantage of our unexpected stay to explore the city. Finally, we departed for Doha on Sunday evening, with further delays and challenges along the way.”
“In frustration we were directed to American Guest Services where we had to go back and forth between counters and finally found out that the next available flight was to Doha in two days. We reluctantly booked a hotel in New York and took advantage of our unexpected stay to explore the city. Finally, we departed for Doha on Sunday evening, with further delays and challenges along the way.”
The travel problems are likely to continue
According to booking app Hopper.com, more than 24 million passengers are expected to depart from US airports during the June 29-July 5 holiday season Bloomberg. On Friday alone, around 3.7 million passengers are expected to pack their planes for the second day in a row. However, due to the storm forecast, the travel problems are likely to continue.
The travel problems are likely to continue
According to booking app Hopper.com, more than 24 million passengers are expected to depart from US airports during the June 29-July 5 holiday season Bloomberg. On Friday alone, around 3.7 million passengers are expected to pack their planes for the second day in a row. However, due to the storm forecast, the travel problems are likely to continue.
US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg has described the summer travel season as a “stress test” for flight operations. “Nobody can control the weather, but it’s important for airlines to create enough cushions of resistance in the system,” Buttigieg said CNN.
US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg has described the summer travel season as a “stress test” for flight operations. “Nobody can control the weather, but it’s important for airlines to create enough cushions of resistance in the system,” Buttigieg said CNN.
United CEO Scott Kirby, however, blames the Federal Aviation Administration for exacerbating the situation. In an employee note, he said over 150,000 United customers were impacted by the FAA’s staffing issues and their impact on traffic control this past weekend.
United CEO Scott Kirby, however, blames the Federal Aviation Administration for exacerbating the situation. In an employee note, he said over 150,000 United customers were impacted by the FAA’s staffing issues and their impact on traffic control this past weekend.
According to FlightAware, between June 24 and 29, about 43,000 flights were delayed and over 7,700 were cancelled. United Airlines was hardest hit, with about 19% of its flights canceled and about 47% delayed. Although there was some improvement on Thursday compared to previous days, United still had to cancel 18% of its flights.
According to FlightAware, between June 24 and 29, about 43,000 flights were delayed and over 7,700 were cancelled. United Airlines was hardest hit, with about 19% of its flights canceled and about 47% delayed. Although there was some improvement on Thursday compared to previous days, United still had to cancel 18% of its flights.
Still, the airline said it was “on track” to resume operations for the bank holiday weekend, when 5 million passengers are expected. Bookings are up about 12% year-over-year, almost back to pre-pandemic levels.
Still, the airline said it was “on track” to resume operations for the bank holiday weekend, when 5 million passengers are expected. Bookings are up about 12% year-over-year, almost back to pre-pandemic levels.
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