Winter Storm Forces American Airlines to Cut 800 Flights
Winter Storm Fern has caused significant disruptions across the U.S., leading American Airlines to cancel over 800 flights this weekend. This figure significantly exceeds the combined cancellations of Delta and United Airlines.
Impact of Winter Storm Fern on Airline Operations
Weather predictions indicate that 40 states will experience severe disruptions due to a wave of frigid Arctic air. From Friday through Sunday, nearly 10,000 flights have already been canceled, according to Flight Aware data. This number is anticipated to increase as the weekend progresses.
American Airlines Flight Cancellations
- American Airlines has canceled about 25% of its flights on both Saturday and Sunday.
- In efforts to quickly resume normal operations post-storm, the airline aims to position its aircraft and crews effectively.
- Thousands of additional seats were added on routes between Charlotte and Chicago O’Hare, which are less impacted by the storm.
- Further adjustments included additional flights to Dallas Fort Worth, with more arriving in North Texas by Sunday.
Cancellations by Other Airlines
Other airlines have also responded to the severe weather. American’s regional affiliates, Envoy Air and PSA, collectively canceled 510 flights on Saturday. Southwest Airlines reported 571 cancellations.
Delta Airlines and United Airlines have only managed to cancel about 5% of their schedules as of Saturday. However, they expect a much higher number on Sunday, with Delta anticipating 743 cancellations and United posting 350.
Travel Recommendations
Airlines advise passengers to reconsider any travel plans for the weekend. Many carriers have implemented travel waivers, allowing customers to rebook onto flights from Sunday onward.
International airlines have also reduced their flight schedules to and from impacted areas in the U.S., particularly affecting Texas and the Northeast. Passengers with plans to travel to Europe or the UK may receive assistance such as refreshments and hotel accommodations for delays. However, compensation for delays will not be provided due to the storm being categorized as an extraordinary circumstance.
