Wednesday, February 14, 2024
A fierce winter storm hits the US, especially New York, causing 1,500+ flight cancellations and major disruptions at Northeast airports.
Travelers are facing considerable challenges on Tuesday due to a severe winter storm targeting the Northeast, causing widespread disruptions in air travel. The storm has led to the cancellation of over 1,500 flights across the United States, with significant impacts at major airports including JFK International Airport, where the winter conditions have notably interrupted the travel plans of many passengers.
As of 7:30 a.m. ET, FlightAware has documented the extensive cancellations, highlighting the substantial effects at specific airports: LaGuardia Airport with 194 flights canceled, marking a 37% cancellation rate; Newark Liberty International Airport with 150 cancellations, resulting in a 27% cancellation rate; Boston Logan International Airport with 117 flights canceled, constituting a 26% cancellation rate; and JFK International Airport with 110 cancellations, which translates to an 18% cancellation rate. These figures underscore the significant disruptions faced by travelers at these key transportation hubs.
This weather event is set to deliver the most considerable snowfall New York City has experienced in more than two years, as reported by The New York Times. Predictions include up to six inches of snow for New York City, while Boston may receive as much as a foot of snow, according to the National Weather Service.
JetBlue has canceled about 20% of its flights, totaling 156 cancellations, but Republic Airways faces the largest impact with 244 flight cancellations, as indicated by FlightAware. The extensive cancellations at airports such as JFK International Airport emphasize the dramatic effects winter storms can have on travel schedules, causing extensive delays and cancellations for passengers.
In response, several airlines are offering to waive change fees for travelers scheduled to fly on Tuesday. Airlines such as American, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, and United are participating in these waivers, with Delta extending its waiver to include flights on both Tuesday and Wednesday. The terms of these waivers vary by airline and are applicable to specific airports, including those heavily affected like JFK, LaGuardia, Newark Liberty International, and Boston Logan International. Travelers are encouraged to check their airline’s website for more detailed information.
Passengers whose flights have been canceled are entitled to a full refund, although compensation for delays is not always available.
This incident follows a previous storm in the UK and Ireland that led to unusual travel scenarios, with passengers finding themselves far from their intended destinations. For example, Ryanair customers expected to fly just 160 miles across the Irish Sea were diverted to Paris, nearly 500 miles away, while another flight destined for Dublin ended up 640 miles away in the south of France, equivalent to the distance from New York City to Indiana.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
