Over the past 24 hours, more than 7,000 delays were reported across the United States today, with most coming from the Northeast where the storm hit. The weather has proved unpredictable up and down the Atlantic coast this past weekend, affecting many travelers' plans.
In total, just over 1,800 flights were canceled today, with most cancellations occurring on domestic flights in the early hours of the morning.
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It's not just American flights that have been affected by today's travel delays. Eastern Canada has also been hit by the weather, greatly affecting operations at airports that have already suffered service disruptions recently due to raging wildfires. In particular, Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) last year was named the worst airport in North America for delays.
The most affected airports
The airports hardest hit by today's travel delays are all in the New York metropolitan area. LaGuardia International Airport (LGA) reported that 38% of departing flights were canceled, while another 33% were delayed. This corresponds to more than 200 cancellations and more than 180 flight delays.
The area's two other major airports, Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK), didn't fare much better. A total of 29% of Newark flights were canceled and another 39% were significantly delayed, while 13% of JFK flights were canceled alongside 35% that were delayed.
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In total, about 1,200 flights departing from New York airports were affected by today's weather, accounting for nearly 20% of all delays across the country today.
Other airports in the Northeast also experienced significant flight disruptions today, including Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), where 40% of flights were either canceled or delayed. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), where that number was 33%. Toronto Pearson, where that number stood at 43% and Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport at 33%.
Airlines most affected
With two United hubs (Chicago and Newark) among the airports on record with the highest operational disruptions, it's no surprise that United Airlines is the airline most affected by today's weather. In total, 12% of today's United flights were canceled, with another 35% experiencing significant delays. This resulted in a total of 374 cancellations and 1020 flights departing late.
After United, it stands to reason that JetBlue would be another carrier significantly affected by severe storms. Considering the carrier's flight bases in New York and Boston, the airline's operations were greatly disrupted.
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Overall, a whopping 47% of JetBlue flights arrived late, while a full 11% were canceled. This amounted to a total of 493 delays and 124 cancellations, almost all of which came from either BOS or JFK.
After JetBlue and United, two other airlines heavily affected by the weather were Delta (which experienced long delays at the LaGuardia and Atlanta hubs) and American Airlines (where delays were reported at the airline's hubs up and down in the Atlantic).
With more severe weather in the forecast for the upcoming holiday weekend, travelers should be sure to plan ahead and anticipate further delays as they prepare for Independence Day weekend travel.
Source: FlightAware
