Thousands of travelers are currently stranded in airports across the United States as multiple airlines face significant disruptions due to a combination of flight cancellations and delays.
Today, airlines including Alaska, American, Envoy, Horizon, and Frontier have reported a staggering total of 420 cancellations and 4,120 delays nationwide.
Cities particularly affected include Dallas, Seattle, Portland, Las Vegas, Boise, Eugene, and Fairbanks, where passengers are experiencing long wait times and widespread travel chaos.
A primary contributor to this turmoil is an IT outage at Alaska Airlines, which caused the grounding of flights across the country.
The technical failure forced many travelers to remain stuck in airports for hours, leading to unprecedented delays and cancellations.
While Alaska Airlines has now resumed operations, delays and cancellations continue as they work diligently to manage the backlog of flights.
The IT outage, while severe, was not connected to any cybersecurity issue, easing some industry concerns surrounding data security.
Alaska Airlines is currently focused on restoring normal operations, though further disruptions may arise as they reposition aircraft and crews to mitigate the operational challenges.
Seattle-Tacoma International, which serves as Alaska Airlines’ main hub, saw significant ramifications from the outage, resulting in numerous flight cancellations and delays.
Additionally, various airports across the nation are grappling with their own operational challenges leading to further disruptions.
Boston Logan International (BOS) faced a closure affecting non-scheduled transient General Aviation (GA) aircraft, leading to significant delays for passengers.
This closure necessitates prior permission for any non-scheduled aircraft and is expected to cause additional rebooking requirements for travelers using non-scheduled carriers.
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is also experiencing ground delays with departures on average taking an additional 17 minutes, attributed to unspecified operational issues.
Meanwhile, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is reporting an average departure delay of 34 minutes due to similar operational concerns.
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is closed to non-scheduled transient General Aviation (GA) aircraft, while also reporting delays of an average of 15 minutes for departures, primarily due to an ongoing aircraft emergency impacting flight schedules.
At Teterboro Airport (TEB), delays are averaging 30 minutes, exacerbated by voluntary individual releases causing a backlog of departing flights.
The current wave of disruptions has led to an unprecedented total of 4,120 delays and 420 cancellations at U.S. airports, reflecting widespread operational challenges.
The overwhelming number of delays is not only linked to Alaska Airlines’ IT outage but has also been exacerbated by weather-related challenges and air traffic control staffing issues.
Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA) has been identified as one of the hardest-hit airports, recording 106 cancellations and 148 delays, creating substantial wait times for traveling passengers.
Dallas-Fort Worth International (DFW) is facing the most significant delays, with over 345 flights delayed and 65 cancellations, signaling extensive disruptions that could affect travel plans.
Portland International Airport (PDX) is also under strain, with 31 cancellations and 57 delays reported today, making conditions even more challenging for passengers.A host of other major airports are also experiencing notable impacts.
Harry Reid International (LAS) in Las Vegas has reported 17 cancellations and 162 delays,
while San Francisco International (SFO) has seen 14 cancellations and 187 delays.
Los Angeles International (LAX) also faces hold-ups, with 18 cancellations and 156 delays affecting travelers.
Travelers passing through San Diego International (SAN) can expect 16 cancellations and 112 delays, while Chicago O’Hare International (ORD) is reporting 5 cancellations and 129 delays.
Boston Logan International (BOS) is experiencing 8 cancellations and 233 delays, along with Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) showing 10 cancellations and 159 delays.
Newark Liberty International (EWR) has reported 7 cancellations and consequently faces 294 delays; Washington Dulles International (IAD) is seeing 6 cancellations alongside 103 delays.
Cities like Dallas, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago are also experiencing high volumes of flight cancellations and delays, adding to the chaos faced by traveling passengers.
The challenges are not confined to domestic flights, as international travelers should also prepare for extended wait times and potential missed connections.
Major airlines have all been severely impacted, including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines.
Each of these airlines is grappling with extensive delays and cancellations, particularly evident at key airports such as Seattle-Tacoma (SEA), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), and Los Angeles International (LAX).
Regional carriers, including Envoy Air, Horizon Air, SkyWest Airlines, Endeavor Air, and PSA Airlines, are feeling the strains as well, contributing to the overall disruptions in air travel.
Low-cost carriers like Frontier Airlines are also affected as they attempt to navigate the challenges at major hubs.
Passengers flying with any of these airlines are strongly urged to stay informed and up to date regarding their flight status.
As operations are disrupted, many airlines are working on offering rebooking options, meal vouchers, and accommodations as needed.
However, given the scale of the disruptions, rebooking flights may take longer than usual, and travelers should exercise patience when contacting their airlines for assistance.
To minimize the impact of these ongoing delays and cancellations, passengers are advised to take several steps.
Firstly, it is crucial to regularly check flight status through the airline or airport flight tracking tools, as this information is vital for managing travel plans.
Secondly, passengers should prepare for longer wait times, especially at major hubs like Dallas-Fort Worth, Seattle-Tacoma, and Portland International; bringing necessary supplies such as snacks and entertainment is advisable.
Considering the possibility of rebooking to earlier flights or alternative routes is also wise, as securing new arrangements promptly can help travelers navigate through the chaos.
Finally, staying engaged with airlines through text and email notifications is essential; keeping phones charged will ensure travelers receive timely updates regarding their flights.
In some cases, airlines may provide additional vouchers, meal offers, or accommodations if delays extend beyond an acceptable timeframe.
In summary, today’s travel disruptions have reached alarming levels, with thousands of delays and hundreds of cancellations affecting airports throughout the United States.
Passengers flying from major airports such as Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Seattle-Tacoma (SEA), and others should anticipate lengthy delays and potential cancellations.
Travelers need to act promptly, staying informed and prepared while managing the ongoing situation.
With an extensive impact on air travel today, passengers must take these precautions seriously and plan accordingly for any potential disruptions in their travel plans.
image source from：travelandtourworld
