1,900 flight cancellations and counting: Snow in Midwest snarls flights, compounds Boeing 737 MAX disruptions
Mother Nature is making for a messy start to the long weekend.
Snow in the Midwest is fueling air travel headaches at Chicago’s major airports and threatens to cause residual disruptions throughout the country.
With additional bad weather expected on the East Coast, flight delays and cancellations could continue to pile up Friday into Saturday.
As of late morning Friday, airlines had canceled nearly 1,900 flights nationwide, according to data from FlightAware.
The weather-induced problems are only making matters worse as two major U.S. airlines continue to work around the grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft in the wake of an emergency on an Alaska Airlines flight one week ago.
As of 11:15 a.m. EST Friday, there were hundreds of cancellations at both Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Midway Airport (MDW) — including 650 cancellations alone at O'Hare.
The Federal Aviation Administration put a ground stop in place for a period on Friday morning at O’Hare, halting takeoffs and landings amid the storm. Once operations resumed, the FAA estimated delays of at least two hours due to snow and ice.
Southwest Airlines has been the hardest-hit U.S. airline. The Dallas-based carrier has canceled at least 385 flights, and counting — about 9% of its operation. Hundreds more flights have encountered delays.
The bad weather will test Southwest’s operation at its major Midway hub, where the carrier has bolstered its winter weather ground equipment in an effort to avoid the sort of meltdown that precipitated its December 2022 operational meltdown.
Southwest isn’t alone, though.
Regional carrier Skywest, which operates flights under the umbrella of American, Delta, United and Alaska Airlines, had canceled nearly 330 flights by late morning Friday.
With high winds causing lengthy delays in parts of Texas and additional winter weather in parts of the country this weekend, the FAA cautioned it could be a messy few days for air travel.
Disruptions mount amid 737 MAX 9 grounding
Friday’s weather-related disruptions are just the latest air travel-related hurdle this week.
Alaska and United Airlines have had to cancel hundreds of daily flights since each operates sizable fleets of 737 MAX 9 aircraft — planes that currently cannot fly as Boeing, the airlines and the FAA investigate whether other such jets might be at risk for the blowout that left an emergency exit-size opening on an Alaska flight last Friday.
With no end to the grounding in sight, Alaska and United’s operations have taken a hit, with disruptions this week at key hubs like Alaska’s home base at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and at United’s busy hub at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Throw in the weather in the Midwest, where United also operates a hub at O’Hare, where Friday’s weather is making operations more challenging.
As of 11:15 a.m. EST Friday, United had canceled around 10% of its flight schedule, marginally higher than the 7% to 9% of daily flights the carrier canceled earlier this week.
What should you do if your flight is canceled?
Unfortunately for travelers, weather-related disruptions don’t leave a ton of options.
When Mother Nature is responsible for a cancellation or delay, the airline typically isn’t on the hook to pay, for instance, for an extra hotel night in the event that you get stranded. If you do incur costs, check to see if you booked your trip with a travel credit card that includes trip insurance protections; this could help offset some of the unexpected expenses.
That being said, some airlines have put travel waivers in place that make it easier to change your itinerary with no penalty. Southwest, for one, has issued a waiver that travelers more flexibility for flights in and out of nearly a dozen Midwest airports, where winter weather is expected to disrupt operations into the weekend.
Plus, keep in mind, under federal regulations, you’re entitled to a refund if your flight is canceled or significantly delayed and you ultimately choose not to travel.
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- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
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- What are points and miles worth? TPG’s monthly valuations
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Annual Fee
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.