Over 900 flights across the U.S. were canceled, with nearly 8,000 delays reported on Saturday following a significant winter storm that impacted the Northeast U.S., challenging airlines during one of the peak travel times of the year.
Snow totals were lower than previously predicted in the region, though both New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport logged more than four inches of snowfall, as reported by the National Weather Service.
Over 136 flights, representing roughly a fifth of the planned departures from Kennedy Airport, were canceled according to FlightAware. Additionally, 87 flights were canceled from LaGuardia Airport, which is about 20% of that day’s planned departures, while 72 flights, or 12%, from Newark were also called off.
On Friday, airlines scrapped more than 1,700 flights, many ahead of the storm. Only 27 U.S. flights were reported as canceled for Sunday, according to FlightAware.
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways and other airlines eliminated change fees for restrictive basic economy fares. They announced that they would not impose fare differences for other travelers flying in and out of numerous airports in the Northeast U.S.
Passengers are required to complete their travel by the year’s end if they alter their flights, according to the airlines. Opting for early travel is likely the best option given the scarcity of available seats during the hectic Christmas week.
Airlines for America, the representing group for the industry, projects that airlines will accommodate a record 52.6 million individuals from December 19 to January 5, with this Friday and Sunday being some of the busiest days.
Generally, airlines preemptively cancel flights in anticipation of significant weather events such as blizzards or hurricanes to prevent aircraft, connecting travelers, and crews from being stranded, thus minimizing disruptions.
