United suspends all Newark flights: What to do if you’re flying through the NYC area right now
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
Update 9/2/21 3 p.m. ET: United has restarted Newark operations with a very limited flight schedule. Be sure to check your flight’s status, and read on for more tips on what to do if you’re flying through the NYC area right now.
In case you missed it, the remnants of Hurricane Ida passed through the New York City area on Wednesday.
The storm brought heavy rain, flooding and winds to the streets of Manhattan and the nearby suburbs. Though the radar has cleared up as of Thursday morning, getting around the metro area remains at best a massive inconvenience and at worst dangerous. Many streets remain flooded, and much of the subway and commuter rail system is largely suspended.
Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG’s free new biweekly Aviation newsletter!
And, if your Labor Day Weekend plans included a stop at one of the region’s three major airports, JFK, Newark or LaGuardia, you might want to check your flight status. At Newark, nearly 40% of flights have already been canceled on Thursday, according to live data from FlightAware. Viral social media videos from Wednesday night show severe flooding at both Newark and LaGuardia.
United Airlines, which operates its largest East Coast hub in Newark, suspended all flight activity there until 3 p.m. local time, at the earliest. Plus, the airport’s Customs and Border Control facility was closed on Thursday morning, giving international flights no option other than to divert to nearby airports.
Suffice to say, you’ll want to pack your patience if you’re hitting the road today. Here are some other tips to consider as well.
Postpone your flight
This one’s simple. If your travel plans are flexible, it might pay to postpone your flight until Friday or later in the weekend.
Most airlines, including the Big 3 U.S. carriers, along with New York-based JetBlue, have issued limited-time flexible travel waivers to make it easy to switch flights.
Though the particular waiver details differ by each airline, you’ll be able to change your flight without any fees or a fare difference. Alternatively, you can cancel your ticket and collect a refund if your flight was canceled or significantly delayed.
Reroute your journey
Flexibility is the name of the game if you’re committed to hitting the road on Thursday.
Since Newark appears to have suffered the worst of the region’s three major airports, you might have better luck rerouting through LaGuardia or JFK.
You can also consider some other nearby regional airports, like White Plains (HPN) or Newburgh (SWF). Alternatively, if you’re based in New Jersey, you might want to look at flight options from Philadelphia (PHL).
Arrive early
Before heading to the airport, you’ll want to check your flight status. If your flight is canceled, then rebook at home before heading out to avoid long lines and overwhelmed customer service agents.
Assuming that your flight is on time, you’ll want to give yourself plenty of extra time throughout the journey. As airlines recover from the storm, there are lots of displaced passengers (along with crew) to reaccommodate. Lines will be longer than normal, and security wait times could creep up as well.
As of press time, there was a nearly 30-minute wait to clear security at Newark’s Terminal A, and that number could creep up as airlines rebuild their schedules later in the day.
Pack lightly
Much of the flooding at the region’s airports appears to have impacted the below-wing operations, including the baggage claim and sorting facilities.
As such, it could make sense to leave your checked bag at home. Some of the equipment may have been damaged during the storm, which could cause longer-than-normal waits at the baggage claim. Airlines are likely still unloading and sorting through the checked bags from canceled flights on Wednesday, so adding more on Thursday might overwhelm the system.
If I was hitting the road today, I’d do everything in my power to travel with hand luggage only.
Featured photo by Megan Dervin-Ackerman.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer ends 8/3/2022.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer ends 8/3/2022.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.