Weekend travel during December 26-29 was tumultuous for many passengers as flights were either canceled or delayed due to the severe snowstorm, Storm Devin, which hit the Northeast and parts of the Midwest. The highest number of flight cancellations on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were experienced by Delta Air Lines, while Southwest Airlines had the most delays among all US carriers.
Over 3,000 delays were recorded for Southwest Airlines between Saturday and Sunday, causing numerous passengers to express their frustration on social media. However, flight disruptions were not the only reason for complaints over the weekend.
Southwest passengers were also affected by the closure of Chili’s Grill & Bar, a popular restaurant at Orlando International Airport (MCO), which is one of the airline’s major hubs. Let’s take a closer look at the Southwest delays, MCO’s closure, and passengers’ reactions.
Southwest Airlines Leads in Weekend Flight Delays
On Friday, December 26, New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency as a powerful winter storm brought heavy snow to several cities, resulting in numerous flight cancellations and delays in the area.
According to data from FlightAware, Southwest Airlines had the highest number of delays, with 1971 on Saturday and 1754 on Sunday. This means that almost half of the flights on those days were affected, with delays accounting for 46% and 40% of total flights, respectively.
For comparison, American Airlines, which ranked second in terms of delays, had 1253 on Saturday and 1339 on Sunday, representing a smaller proportion of 36% and 37% of total flights, respectively. The table below shows the airlines with the highest number of delays over the weekend.
Airline | Saturday Delays | Sunday Delays
— | — | —
Southwest Airlines | 1971 | 1754
American Airlines | 1253 | 1339
Delta Air Lines | 1245 | 1037
United Airlines | 1051 | 961
As of Monday, December 29 at 9:00 a. m. ET, Southwest Airlines was once again experiencing the most delays, with 225 recorded. This shows that passengers were greatly impacted by the delays.
Passengers Share Their Disappointment Online
Many Southwest passengers took to the airline’s official social media page to express their disappointment and anger. One user shared a screenshot showing their flight had been delayed three times, with a total delay of almost three hours.
Others reported delays of up to two hours, while some simply stated that they were not happy with Southwest Airlines. One passenger even decided to cancel their Southwest card, stating that they were not provided with a hotel or meal voucher after their flight was delayed and that customer service told them that having a Southwest card meant nothing.
It’s worth noting that flight disruptions were not the only reason for passengers’ complaints.