Storms disrupt holiday travel across major Texas airports

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Storms disrupt holiday travel across major Texas airports

Research

Ayana Morali Contributor | The Points Guy

By Sky Industry News

Dec 27, 2024

Severe thunderstorms, rather than snow or ice, have become the primary obstacle for holiday travelers heading to airports this season. The weather disrupted air traffic on Thursday at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), causing delays and cancellations at nearby Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) and Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

According to FlightAware data, American Airlines faced significant challenges due to the stormy conditions, resulting in over 1,000 flight delays and more than 300 cancellations on Thursday. Southwest Airlines experienced over 1,600 delayed flights as its operations in Dallas and Houston were affected. United Airlines also reported more than 1,000 delays at its IAH hub.

The disruptions occurred during one of the busiest travel days of the holiday season. The Transportation Security Administration screened more than 2.7 million passengers on Thursday alone.

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Operations at American Airlines improved by Friday following a tech glitch earlier in the week that did not lead to any mainline flight cancellations but did cause residual delays. However, according to Wes Adkins from NOAA, potential severe storms could impact parts of Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama on Saturday and may affect East Coast travel later in the weekend.

Despite recent issues caused by weather conditions, airlines have generally experienced smoother operations this year compared to 2022. Improvements are attributed to higher staffing levels and operational enhancements.

Travelers should be aware of their refund rights under U.S. Department of Transportation policy if flights are canceled or significantly delayed due to weather-related issues. They should also consider using credit cards with travel insurance for additional protection against unexpected costs when flights are disrupted.

Keeping a close eye on airline apps can provide rebooking options without having to wait in long lines or hold times over the phone.