Few airport delays reported at start of busiest holiday travel season in years

As Americans begin traveling for the holidays in numbers not seen in years, few airport delays have been reported so far.

As of early Friday, 41 flights were canceled nationwide and just more than 500 flights were delayed, with most of the nation experiencing mild weather, FlightAware reported. So far, 1.2 percent of U.S. flights have been canceled this year, the lowest cancellation rate in five years.

Airlines have hired thousands of employees to avoid repeating cancellations and delays seen as a result of staffing issues last year that left millions of passengers stranded during the holidays. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it is creating more air traffic routes, particularly along the East Coast, to help keep planes moving this year, The Associated Press reported.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Thursday that his department made improvements over the last year and applauded the aviation system for handling this year’s increased volume of passengers.

Buttigieg said cancellations are now lower than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic, “and we’re pushing hard to keep it that way.”

Holiday air travel is expected to be the busiest Friday and New Year’s Day, with more than 2.5 million passengers on each day, a 6 percent increase from 2022. The TSA advised those flying in the coming days to arrive early to the airport and ensure gifts are unwrapped and can be inspected, if needed.

International travel has also rebounded, but it remains below pre-pandemic levels, the AP noted.

Buttigieg advised passengers to check out the government’s flightrights.gov website, which outlines their rights. He said if passengers face delays or cancellations that are the airlines’ responsibility, the Department of Transportation has confirmed several carriers will cover expenses related to rebooking and meals.

If a flight is canceled for any reason, passengers are entitled to a full cash refund, Buttigieg added.