Key Takeaways
- Nearly 2,000 flights were canceled on Saturday and over 490 on Sunday due to a potent storm in the upper Midwest and Great Lakes
- The storm caused significant disruptions at major airports, including Chicago O’Hare and Milwaukee, with nearly half of the day’s schedule canceled at O’Hare on Saturday
- Airlines have rolled out flexible rebooking policies for passengers affected by the storm, and travelers are advised to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport
- The storm has moved east and away from most major air hubs, but lingering delays and cancellations are still possible
- Road travel could be a problem across parts of Pennsylvania and upstate New York
Introduction to the Storm
The Thanksgiving air travel period has finally hit a hitch, with airlines canceling nearly 2,000 flights on Saturday and another 490 on Sunday. The cancellations were caused by a potent storm that swept through the upper Midwest and Great Lakes, bringing up to a foot of snow or more to much of the region. The storm disrupted the plans of thousands of travelers during the second half of what’s expected to be one of the busiest Thanksgiving holiday periods ever for air travel.
Flight Cancellations and Delays
According to FlightAware, the official cancellation tally for Saturday stood at 1,974, with the major airports serving Chicago and Milwaukee the hardest hit. At Chicago O’Hare International Airport, nearly half of the day’s schedule was canceled, while at Chicago Midway Airport, about 40% of flights were canceled on Saturday. By Sunday, the storm had pulled out of the region, but lingering delays and cancellations remained, with airlines canceling 490 flights and delaying another 1,815 as of 9:30 a.m. EST.
Airport Disruptions
The flight woes that hit Chicago and Milwaukee rippled out to flights across the region and country, with dozens of airports across the Midwest suffering significant disruptions. Other airports that saw significant winter-weather disruptions on Saturday included St. Louis Lambert International Airport, Omaha’s Eppley Airfield, Des Moines International Airport, and Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport, among others. However, by Sunday, schedules were improving, with cancellations at O’Hare down to about 6% of the day’s schedule, and only seven departures canceled at Eastern Iowa Airport.
Airlines’ Response
Most major airlines have rolled out flexible rebooking policies for passengers affected by the storm and scheduled to fly through the region. Travelers scheduled to fly on Sunday or Monday are advised to check ahead on the status of their flights before heading to the airport. The airlines’ response to the storm has been swift, with many offering waivers and rebooking options to affected passengers. American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, Sun Country, and United are among the airlines that have rolled out storm waivers.
Travel Implications
The storm has significant implications for travelers, with many facing delays and cancellations. Road travel could also be a problem across parts of Pennsylvania and upstate New York, where the storm has moved. Travelers are advised to check the status of their flights and road conditions before embarking on their journeys. Additionally, travelers can take steps to minimize the impact of the storm, such as checking their flight status regularly, signing up for flight alerts, and having a backup plan in place.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the potent storm that swept through the upper Midwest and Great Lakes has caused significant disruptions to air travel, with nearly 2,000 flights canceled on Saturday and over 490 on Sunday. While the storm has moved east and away from most major air hubs, lingering delays and cancellations are still possible. Travelers are advised to check the status of their flights and road conditions before heading to the airport, and to take steps to minimize the impact of the storm. With the airlines’ flexible rebooking policies and storm waivers, travelers can breathe a sigh of relief, but it’s still important to be prepared for any eventuality.