Airline travel on holiday weekends can be stressful under the best of circumstances, let alone amid an ongoing pilot shortage that has major carriers canceling flights seemingly with no rhyme or reason.
While United Airlines has finally reached an agreement with its employee union that could lead to fewer canceled flights, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and other domestic carriers are still working toward resolutions.
Over Memorial Day weekend, Delta passengers experienced the brunt of the cancelations, with the airline nixing approximately 10% of its scheduled operations by 11:30 a.m. EST on Sunday, May 29. Orlando Spectrum News 13 reported:
Delta Air Lines cancelled the most flights among major U.S. airlines, with more than 250 flights, or 9% of its operations, eliminated Saturday. More than 140 Delta flights were canceled by mid-day Sunday, according to FlightAware.
Saturday’s cancellations were due to bad weather and “air traffic control actions,” Atlanta-based Delta said in an email to The Associated Press, noting it’s trying to cancel flights at least 24 hours in advance of the Memorial Day weekend.
These flight cancelations left thousands of travelers — including Disney Parks fans flying in and out of Orlando International Airport (MCO), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and John Wayne Airport (SNA) — trying to figure out how to rebook their flights and get home in a timely fashion.
KK expressed extreme frustration at the Delta cancelation situation:
Almost 24 hours out, @delta has already delayed my flight by so much I won’t make it home until the next day. After 17 days gone it’ll now be 18. I dare you to have Daisy text me.
Almost 24 hours out, @delta has already delayed my flight by so much I won’t make it home until the next day. After 17 days gone it’ll now be 18. I dare you to have Daisy text me.
While Delta’s social media response has the company under fire online, the airline’s official website offers the following helpful information about rebooking a canceled or delayed flight:
If your flight is delayed for more than 30 minutes or canceled completely, it’s easy to rebook a new flight that fits your schedule. Rebooking your own flight gives you access to the same flight options that our agents have, and your bags will be re-routed to whichever flight you select. Rebook your flight as many times as you need to, until you’re on your way.
Were you impacted by the weekend’s flight cancelations?
Visit the official Disney World website to plan your next magical vacation to Walt Disney World Resort’s four theme parks — Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios — and the Disney Springs shopping and dining district OR the official Disneyland website to plan your trip to Disneyland Resort’s two theme parks — Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park — and the Downtown Disney District!
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Credit: Delta
