Flight Woes Due to Storms
Travelers experienced another challenging weekend as storms ravaged the East Coast, causing widespread cancellations and delays.
Cancellation Statistics
On Sunday, over 10,000 flights were delayed across the United States, with more than 1,700 flights canceled, according to flight tracker FlightAware. The East Coast airports faced the most difficulties, with Newark Liberty International Airport canceling 29% of all departures, LaGuardia Airport at 28%, John F. Kennedy International Airport at 22%, and Boston Logan International Airport at 18%.
JetBlue, serving key markets in New York and Boston, was particularly affected, canceling over 322 flights, equating to 30% of its total departures, and delaying an additional 505 flights.
Continued Disruptions
By early Monday morning, although weather conditions appeared to improve, problems persisted with more than 1,500 flights already delayed and over 300 canceled.
Severe Weather Conditions
These travel disruptions were the result of heavy rain and flash floods that slammed the Northeast over the weekend. Reports indicated flash flood warnings and tornado watches for parts of Connecticut, western Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire, with a devastating flash flood resulting in at least five fatalities in Pennsylvania, according to the Associated Press.
In New York, Suffolk County on Long Island experienced five inches of rainfall within just two hours. Meanwhile, Westchester and Putnam counties recorded rainfall rates of up to two inches per hour, according to Governor Kathy Hochul.
Governor Hochul urged residents to remain vigilant, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to preparing for potential weather impacts during this critical period.
Impact on Travel Patterns
These travel issues followed significant cancellations and delays before the busy July 4 holiday weekend, which were also predominantly concentrated on the East Coast but impacted airports nationwide.
It is essential for travelers to understand that weather-related delays are typically viewed as uncontrollable and usually do not qualify for compensation. However, for those seeking clarification, they can review each airline’s individual policies through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Airline Cancellation and Delay Dashboard.
