Thousands of U.S. Flights Delayed or Canceled During Thanksgiving Weekend
Travelers across the United States encountered significant disruptions during the Thanksgiving weekend, primarily due to adverse winter weather. A powerful snowstorm wreaked havoc on air travel, resulting in numerous flight delays and cancellations at major airports.
Flight Delays and Cancellations
On Sunday morning, FlightAware reported over 1,800 flight delays and approximately 490 cancellations throughout the country. Key airports in cities such as Chicago, New York City, Boston, Des Moines, Minneapolis, and Detroit experienced the most significant disruptions.
Severe Winter Weather Impact
The Midwest and Great Lakes regions faced substantial snowfall, surpassing eight inches in parts of northern Iowa. The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings and advisories stretching from Montana to Ohio, anticipating travel delays due to accumulating snow.
- Over 1,400 flights canceled in Chicago by Saturday night.
- Forecasts predicted up to 10 inches of snow in parts of Illinois.
- Detroit experienced 300 flight delays and numerous cancellations as the storm advanced.
Airline Disruptions and FAA Mandates
In addition to the weather, airlines faced operational challenges due to a directive from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA flagged thousands of Airbus A320 aircraft globally for mandatory software updates, impacting numerous flights.
JetBlue alone canceled around 70 flights on Sunday as it worked to execute the software updates. By Sunday morning, the airline anticipated completing installations on nearly 120 planes, with around 30 still pending. JetBlue acknowledged the inconvenience these cancellations may have caused, especially during the holiday travel rush.
| Airlines | Cancellations | Status of Updates |
|---|---|---|
| JetBlue | Approx. 74 flights | Work in progress, expected completion by Sunday |
| Frontier Airlines | Not specified | Completed updates, no impact on customers |
| Spirit Airlines | Not specified | Expected to complete updates on Saturday |
Both Frontier and Spirit Airlines reported that they were managing the software updates without major disruptions to their services. In light of these challenges, airlines continue to prioritize minimizing the impact on travelers during this peak travel season.
