weekend travel disruption

Major US airlines delayed or canceled more than 10,000 flights this weekend, citing thunderstorms in Florida and technology issues

• Thousands of airline passengers across the US experienced flight disruptions this weekend.
• Major US carriers canceled or delayed more than 10,000 flights total on Saturday and Sunday, according to FlightAware.
• The disruptions owe largely to bad weather, but technology issues were also a factor.

Thousands of airline passengers across the US ran into trouble at the airport this weekend when major carriers experienced massive disruptions to their flight schedules.

On Saturday, 6,049 flights traveling within, into, or out of the US were delayed, and 1,934 were canceled, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware. An additional 3,013 US flights were delayed and 1,517 canceled as of Sunday afternoon. The disruptions come amid the busy spring break travel period, and as air travel rebounds in response to relaxed COVID-19 restrictions.

All told, more than 10,000 flights have been delayed or canceled this weekend. Many disruptions were due to inclement weather, including thunderstorms, in Florida, while others stemmed from technology issues. 

The affected carriers Saturday included major US airlines like American, Southwest, United, and Delta.  

Southwest Airlines bore the brunt of the disruptions. On Saturday, 44% of its flights were delayed and 14% canceled.

"We have all hands on deck to get delayed customers and their bags onto available flights and we're sharing additional guidance and wide flexibility to self-serve travel changes," a company spokesperson said in a statement.

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Southwest issued an apology to customers on Saturday, saying the disruptions stemmed from "briefly pausing our service earlier this morning as we worked to resolve an intermittent technology issue, as well as ongoing weather challenges in Florida impacting multiple areas within our system."

The company told Insider it issued 400 proactive cancelations on Sunday, which were put in place the day prior because aircrafts and crews were out of their planned positions owing to Saturday's disruptions.

American Airlines saw 21% of its flight schedule delayed on Saturday and 12% canceled. An American Airlines spokesperson told Insider in a statement on Sunday that the company is "recovering from those disruptions." 

"Yesterday's weather in and around Florida and resulting ATC [air traffic control] initiatives impacted our operations with most northbound and southbound routes through and to Florida affected," the spokesperson said. 

At United Airlines, 26% of Saturday's flights were delayed and 2% canceled.

"Our operation yesterday was impacted by weather, especially in Florida. We are working to get customers to their destinations as safely and quickly as possible," a United Airlines spokesperson said in a statement.

Delta Airlines delayed 22% of its flights Saturday and canceled 8% of them. The company did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Low-cost carriers like JetBlue, Frontier, and Spirit also experienced disruptions over the weekend.

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Omicron, winter weather cause travel chaos as thousands of flights canceled

Flight cancelations that upended holiday travel plans for millions of Americans continued into Monday as storms in the western United States compounded the chaos.

The major airlines blamed the spread of the omicron variant of the coronavirus for the disruptions, namely the 10,000 flights canceled around the world over Christmas weekend.

Meanwhile, parts of the American west faced the brutal realities of winter weather. In northwestern Nevada, for example, whiteout conditions caused a 20-vehicle pileup Sunday, officials said.

Delta, United, JetBlue, Alaska and other prominent airlines blamed Covid-19 infections and the highly transmissible omicron variant for the travel woes. Flight crews were thin as many employees called in sick.

In a statement Sunday, Delta said “winter weather in portions of the U.S. and the omicron variant” were taking a toll on the airline’s holiday weekend flight schedule. 

Of 4,155 total mainline and connection flights scheduled Sunday, Delta said it had canceled 161, with around 40 more cancellations forecast for the day. 

JetBlue said it had about 110 cancellations Sunday, with the number expected to potentially grow depending on crew availability.

“We have seen an increasing number of sick calls from omicron,” the airline said, adding it had entered the holiday season with the highest staffing levels since the pandemic began.

“Despite our best efforts, we’ve had to cancel a number of flights, and additional flight cancellations and other delays remain a possibility.”

By early Monday, another nearly 2,000 flights around the world were canceled for the day , with at least 629 of those flights expected to have flown within, into or out of the United States, according to FlightAware.

The cancellations come as many around the world will likely be trying to return home after visiting loved ones over the Christmas weekend.

They also come after more than 130,000 new Covid cases were reported in the U.S. on Sunday alone, according to data compiled by NBC News. However, holiday interruptions to testing and data reporting could have affected the count.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did not update its Covid tracker over the weekend, but it is expected to resume posting data later Monday.

President Joe Biden told governors on a video call Monday that the U.S. was prepared to respond to the surge in cases from the omicron variant and reiterated that there wasn’t a need to panic. 

"This is not like March of 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic," Biden told the governors. "We’re prepared and we know what it takes to save lives, protect people and keep schools and businesses open. We just have to stay focused and continue to work together."

As omicron wreaks havoc on Christmas travel plans across the country and around the world, winter storms in the western U.S. have also caused chaos.

More than 20 vehicles were involved in a crash in northwestern Nevada, with drivers reporting whiteout conditions, the sheriff's office said.

In a separate statement, the Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue said at least three people were taken to the hospital following the pileup.

“Conditions are extreme in the Washoe Valley with 50 mph winds and white out conditions,” it said in a Twitter post.

The California Highway Patrol in Truckee said Interstate 80 was closed from the Nevada state line to Colfax in California in both directions.

Later, it shared a video of the dangerous driving conditions, saying its officers were “having a hard time finding the road.”

The National Weather Service’s office in Reno warned in a tweet that it was the “type of day to just stay home if you can.”

By Monday, a duo of storms was expected to see significant snowfall continue for portions of the West Coast mountain ranges and the Intermountain West, according to the weather service.

As one storm is expected to weaken by Monday night, the next system already causing heavy mountain snow was expected to make its way across the intermountain West overnight and into Tuesday morning, with the Sierra Nevada expected to reach totals of up to 3 feet of snow at the highest elevations.

Storms were also expected to bring record cold to parts of the West Coast, with snowfall also expected in the Upper Midwest and an “icy wintry mix” set to hit the central Great Lakes and northern Mid-Atlantic, the weather service said.

“Travel delays due to icy conditions are possible in these regions, both on the ground and in the air,” it warned.

Record cold temperatures could also be possible along the West Coast on Monday, the weather service said.

As the West faces snow and icy conditions, the South may see record warm temperatures over the coming days, as the region continues to see a holiday heat wave.

Chantal Da Silva is a breaking news editor for NBC News Digital based in London. 

FAA issues warning to travelers amid omicron surge: Delays will continue

The agency is dealing with rising cases among air traffic control employees.

The travel chaos continues for an eighth consecutive day Friday, with more than 1,600 U.S. cancellations as of 8:30 p.m. ET. The airlines have been grappling with the one-two punch of bad winter weather and a surge in crew COVID cases that have left them short-staffed, and forced airlines to cancel nearly 10,000 flights since Christmas Eve.

Now the Federal Aviation Administration is warning of staffing issues of its own, such as sick air traffic controllers. In addition, the FAA warned on Thursday that weather, holiday traffic and COVID-19 "are likely to result in some travel delays in the coming days."

"Like the rest of the U.S. population, an increased number of FAA employees have tested positive for COVID-19," the FAA said in a statement. "To maintain safety, traffic volume at some facilities could be reduced, which might result in delays during busy periods."

MORE: A week of travel woes: More than 8,000 flights canceled since Christmas Eve

The travel turbulence couldn't have come at a worse time as millions of Americans travel during what could be the busiest travel period since the start of the pandemic. Roughly 8.5 million fliers are expected to pass through U.S. airports from now until Jan.3, according to estimates from the Transportation Security Administration.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has been hit particularly hard this week -- holding the No. 1 spot for the most cancellations in the world for three days in a row. Denver International took its place on Friday morning, topping the list with more than 250 cancellations.

Carriers are trying to proactively cancel flights to give travelers time to rebook.

JetBlue Airways, which has seen sick calls in some departments up 200-300% more than average, canceled more than 1,200 flights over the next few weeks.

"We expect the number of COVID cases in the northeast -- where most of our crewmembers are based -- to continue to surge for the next week or two," the airline said in a statement. "This means there is a high likelihood of additional cancellations until case counts start to come down."

MORE: Winter holiday travel rush likely to approach pre-pandemic levels

Delta Air Lines is already planning to cancel 200 to 300 daily flights for the upcoming weekend, citing "increasing winter weather and the omicron variant."

Thousands of travelers who have had to call the airlines to change their flights have been met with long wait times.

Alaska Airlines was reporting hold times of up to 20 hours on Thursday.

Delta and JetBlue are quoting hold times of one hour and 35 minutes and two hours and 16 minutes, respectively.

On Monday, airlines got their first sign of possible relief when the CDC shortened the isolation period for asymptomatic and fully vaccinated individuals who contract COVID-19 from 10 days to five.

United said Friday it would pay pilots triple their salary for picking up extra flights, according to a letter acquired by ABC News. United canceled more than 200 flights on Friday. Spirit Airlines, which had canceled 99 flights as of Friday night, announced it would offer double pay to flight attendants through Jan. 4.

MORE: New CDC isolation guidance may ease COVID-related flight cancellations

JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes told CNBC Thursday that the new guidelines are definitely going to help, but that "the size of the problem really is just the number of people contracting it."

"Things are likely to get worse before it gets better," he said.

ABC News' Sam Sweeney contributed to this report.

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President Biden's visit to Seattle expected to disrupt flights, road traffic this weekend

by Paul Rivera, KOMO News

SEATTLE — If you were planning to travel around Seattle or fly in and out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Friday and Saturday, this is your warning to plan ahead.

Air Force One, carrying President Joe Biden, will land at Sea-Tac airport on Friday at 5:50 p.m., with an expected departure on Saturday.

A spokesperson with Alaska Airlines shared what passengers need to know.

RELATED: Sun-drenched Mother's Day weekend to bring several road closures to western WA

Security protocol requires all air traffic at SEA to stop at least 30 minutes before the arrival of the presidential aircraft. All airlines could experience potential delays during this time including Alaska and Horizon flights. Additional flight impacts could also happen when Air Force One departs on Saturday.

Officials with Sea-Tac airport say travelers should check in with airlines on their flight schedules.

We’re just expecting the standard hold for Air Force One that occurs whenever it travels. This will stop all traffic until the aircraft arrives and is parked. It will affect those flights in that period, which is not one of our busiest times during the day.

They added that if all goes as scheduled, the impact will be minimal. Several travelers KOMO News spoke with at Sea-Tac airport on Thursday said they won’t be around for the visit.

“Yes, and that’s a good thing!” Minnesota resident Steve Alsaker said he has seen the traffic before. “Every time the presidents come into the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, it’s been just chaotic. shut down freeways. I couldn’t imagine the airport. You guys being out here tomorrow (Friday), you’ll see!”

Matt Schonwald, who lives in Seattle, remembers when Biden last visited 2 years ago after the President also landed at Sea-Tac.

“I was trying to meet my mom and sister for dinner, but we spent about 45 minutes to an hour just circling, trying to get across any bridge,” Schonwald said. His advice to those heading out is simple: “Leave early.”

A high-security event like this also means drivers are going to see a disruption.

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) stated:

We expect significant travel delays and detours in the greater Seattle area in the coming days. Continue to check traffic conditions before you leave and give yourself plenty of extra travel time.

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Travel advisory: president biden visiting seattle later this week – plan ahead and expect travel delays.

Blog stats: 400 words | 2-minute read

At-a-glance:

• President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit Seattle later this week.
• We expect significant travel delays and detours in the greater Seattle area in the coming days.
• Continue to check traffic conditions before you leave, and give yourself plenty of extra travel time.
• To stay informed, check King County Metro’s service advisories and sign up for transit alerts . You can also follow tweets from King County Metro , SDOT Traffic , and WSDOT Traffic .
• Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this Presidential visit to our region.

During President Biden’s visit, the U.S. Secret Service has the authority to provide security, including requiring intermittent closures of freeways and streets. The flow of buses and cars in downtown Seattle and around the region will be affected.

While the president’s exact travel route and timing are not published in advance, travelers can still plan ahead by anticipating delays and temporary road closures., what to expect and how to get around.

You can check media reports and the websites of local jurisdictions and transit agencies before you leave, so you have the latest information about travel conditions. Remember to give yourself plenty of extra time to reach your destination.

If you can, please consider options to get around without driving. Riding transit and biking can be good ways to avoid traffic, but please note that some bus routes may also be affected by temporary traffic closures or detours, including short-term re-routes.

Our Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) engineers can adjust traffic signal timing within the city of Seattle based on expected closures and any necessary re-routing. We may also post messages on dynamic message signs when needed.

How to stay informed

King County Metro publishes service advisories online and sends transit alerts to riders notifying them of bus re-routes and travel changes. You can see if your route is affected by visiting Metro’s service advisories page .

We also encourage you to sign up for Metro’s transit alerts and to monitor local news reports and social media updates.

• Sign up for King County Metro transit alerts
• Follow tweets from King County Metro , SDOT Traffic , and WSDOT Traffic .

Thank you again for your patience and cooperation during this Presidential visit.

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Weekend Road Closures to Disrupt Lancaster County Traffic

LANCASTER COUNTY, PA — This weekend, Lancaster County residents and travelers can expect significant disruptions as the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) undertakes a crucial phase of the Route 30/Route 222 Interchange Improvement Project. Starting at 9:00 PM on Friday, May 10, and continuing until 5:00 AM on Monday, May 13, both eastbound and westbound lanes of Route 30, as well as the Route 222 bridges spanning Route 30, will be closed to traffic.

The closure, dependent on weather conditions, is necessary to demolish the structure that previously carried southbound Route 222 traffic onto eastbound Route 30. This demolition marks a pivotal step in reconfiguring traffic patterns around this busy interchange, a key artery for the region’s motorists.

In anticipation of this new traffic arrangement, the southbound Route 222 bridge to eastbound Route 30 has already been shuttered. Traffic is now being diverted into the northbound lanes just north of the closure and redirected back to eastbound Route 30 south of the construction zone. This temporary setup will remain until the completion of a new bridge.

To mitigate the impact, PennDOT has announced detours that will guide drivers around the closures. However, given the significant role Route 30 and Route 222 play in local and through traffic, considerable delays and congestion are anticipated along these alternative routes. Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible or allocate extra travel time.

The project, which extends beyond the immediate interchange to include substantial improvements and reconstruction of Route 222 northward for about a mile, aims to enhance traffic flow and safety. Planned upgrades encompass the addition of lanes to portions of Route 222 and the ramps leading to and from Route 30, as well as the replacement and widening of bridges to accommodate increased vehicle volumes.

Despite the weekend’s comprehensive road closures, PennDOT assures that four lanes of traffic will be maintained throughout the life of the project, minimizing disruptions as much as possible. However, drivers navigating the work zones are urged to proceed with caution.

Scheduled for completion by September 3, 2027, the $72,173,900 project contracted to JD Eckman, Inc., of Atglen, PA, signifies a major investment in the infrastructure of Lancaster County.

Drivers can check current road conditions by visiting the  MyChesCo Traffic Center . Stay updated on the latest news and information from MyChesCo with our  free newsletter . Follow MyChesCo on Twitter at  twitter.com/MyChesCo  and like us on Facebook at  facebook.com/MyChesCo .

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Everything you need to know about London travel disruption this week

From reduced Overground services to Central Line closures on the weekend, here’s all the essential info you need for stress-free travel in the capital

Following strikes on the DLR last week and the closure of five tube lines at the weekend , we’re set for another week of travel disruption in London . Not only did the RMT vote to continue striking for (at least) the next six months but a slew of bus strikes were announced for dates stretching across both November and December .

This week, both the Central Line and DLR will see suspended services, while parts of the Overground, Northern Line and Piccadilly Line are set to see partial closures or reduced services. Here’s everything you need to know about planned interruptions to TfL rail operations in the capital for the seven days from today (November 13). 

Central Line

On Saturday November 18 , no service between Marble Arch and Ealing Broadway from 2am to 5am.

From Saturday November 18 at 5am through to the end of Sunday November 19 , no services between North Acton and West Ruislip / Ealing Broadway

On  November 18 and 19 , no service between Bank / Tower Gateway / Stratford and Lewisham / Canning Town.

On November 13, 14, 15 and 16 , no service between Hackney Downs and Chingford after 10:45pm. Replacement buses will operate

On November 19 , no services between Gospel Oak and Stratford until 1:45pm. Also no services between Highbury & Islington and Dalston Junction after 10:15pm, and no services between Camden Road and Stratford after 10:15pm.

Northern Line

Kentish Town station  is closed until summer 2024.

Piccadilly Line

South Ealing station  is closed  westbound until mid-December . Eastbound trains run as usual, so westbound travellers are advised to go eastbound to Acton Town before coming back westbound.

Waterloo and City Line

Service operating between 6am and 12:30am only every day. No services on Saturdays, Sundays and public/bank holidays.

Bus strikes

On November 13, several bus routes (mostly in west London) will be impacted by strike action. The 13, 23, 28, 218, 295, 414, 452 and N28 routes will not be running from 5am on November 13 to 6am on November 14.  Find out more about the bus strikes here . 

For to-the-minute updates,  check the Transport for London website here .

Here is  everything you need to know about train strikes and industrial action in London .

Stay in the loop: sign up for our  free Time Out London newsletter  for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.

• Ed Cunningham News Editor, Time Out UK and Time Out London

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Heathrow strikes to cause 'widespread disruption': Full list of dates and which departments are walking out

Here's what you need to know about when all the strike days are and which staff are set to walk out.

Monday 29 April 2024 17:36, UK

Strikes at Heathrow Airport are taking place over the next two weeks, with the first one already under way.

Staff at the UK's biggest airport are staging a series of walkouts - and one union has warned of "widespread disruption".

Here's what you need to know about when the strikes are, what disruption is expected and which departments are taking part.

Border Force officers

They are walking out for four days from now until Thursday 2 May over changes to their working conditions, according to the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) trade union.

The union said more than 300 of its members working at terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the airport are striking.

The effect of this strike is on arrivals rather than departures.

The action is taking place because around 250 Border Force staff will lose their jobs at passport control under new roster plans, the union says.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: "Our members are angry and disappointed at being forced out of their jobs.

"While not everyone will be affected, the changes will disproportionately hit those who are disabled or have caring responsibilities.

"The Home Office should be doing all it can to retain experienced, trained staff - not lose them by introducing an unworkable new roster system."

A Home Office spokesperson said it had "robust plans in place to minimise any potential disruption" during the strikes and "keeping our borders secure remains or top priority".

The spokesperson said they were "disappointed" with the union's decision but remained "open to discussing a resolution".

"The changes we are implementing will bring the working arrangements for Border Force Heathrow staff in line with the way staff work at other ports, provide them with more certainty on working patterns and improve the service to the travelling public," the spokesperson added.

Almost 800 staff in various departments

Unite members in the following departments at Heathrow are set to take part in a week of strike action in May:

• Passenger services - who assist travellers to catch connecting flights

• Trolley operations

• Campus security - the security guards who are responsible for all workers at Heathrow and vehicles being checked before entering Heathrow

• Firefighters

• Airside operations

The walkouts will take place on the following days:

• Tuesday 7 May

• Wednesday 8 May

• Thursday 9 May

• Friday 10 May

• Saturday 11 May

• Sunday 12 May

• Monday 13 May

Unite says the strike action "will inevitably cause widespread disruption across the airport, leading to delays and disruption".

It says the airport has announced the work of passenger services, trolley operations and campus security is set to be outsourced by 1 June in a "cost-cutting exercise" that Heathrow has stated will save it £40m.

"This cost reduction will lead to a substantial reduction in the number of workers, which raises serious security concerns, given the safety critical nature of much of the work undertaken," Unite says.

Its firefighters and airside operation members are also striking because they fear they "may be next in line" to have their work outsourced, the union adds.

Read more on Sky News: Train strikes in May - full list of lines affected Which countries are unsafe to travel to amid Middle East tensions?

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Heathrow Airport's actions are deplorable, it is raking in massive profits for the bosses while trying to squeeze every last penny out of its workforce.

"Unite is fully focused on defending its members jobs, pay and conditions and our members at Heathrow will receive the union's unrelenting support during this dispute."

A Heathrow spokesperson said: "We are reorganising our operations to deliver better results for our customers. There are no job losses as a result of these changes, and we continue to discuss with Unite the implementation of these changes for the small number of colleagues impacted.

"Unite's threats of potential industrial action are unnecessary, and customers can be reassured that we will keep the airport operating smoothly, just like we have in the past."

A strike involving refuelling workers, which was set to affect more than 30 airlines from 4 May to 6 May, has been called off after they accepted a new offer on pay and conditions.

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Details emerge about President Biden’s visit to Seattle on Friday

Congress Holocaust Ceremony President Joe Biden speaks at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum's Annual Days of Remembrance ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, May 7, 2024 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (Evan Vucci/AP)

President Joseph Biden is flying to Seattle on Friday, May 10 after a two-day visit to San Francisco.

He will fly up on Friday after participating in two campaign receptions in the Bay Area that same day, but the current time he will arrive in Seattle is unknown.

The White House confirmed that President Joe Biden will participate in campaign receptions on Friday and Saturday.

A representative for King County also confirmed he would be flying into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and not Boeing Field.

Alaska Airlines sent a statement to KIRO 7 News about Biden’s visit:

“Air Force One is scheduled to arrive at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Friday. Security protocol requires all air traffic at SEA to stop at least 30 minutes before the arrival of the presidential aircraft. All airlines could experience potential delays during this time including Alaska and Horizon flights. Additional flight impacts could also happen when Air Force One departs on Saturday. We appreciate the understanding and patience of our guests during these high-security events.”

A representative for the Seattle Police Department said:

“We have been working with our federal, state, county, and local partners to coordinate the public safety response to the visit. Though we can’t speak to specific allocation of resources, SPD will be providing additional staffing during the visit.”

Traffic is expected to be extremely congested during his visit.

President Biden was last in Seattle in April 2022, as part of a trip to Seattle and Portland, marking Earth Day.

©2024 Cox Media Group

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What to Know if the Winter Storm Wreaks Havoc on Your Holiday Travel

Forecasters say a “bomb cyclone” will tear through much of the U.S. this week and that travelers could face cold, snow and rain. What can you do if your plans are disrupted?

By Maria Cramer

• Published Dec. 21, 2022 Updated Dec. 24, 2022

Wind, freezing rain and snow are predicted from the Northwest to the Northeast this week. Forecasters say vast swaths of the Central and Eastern United States could be hit with a blast of Arctic air that could ice runways and freeze roadways. Blizzard conditions are predicted for the Central and Northern Plains and Great Lakes regions. Parts of Wyoming will see windchill temperatures drop to 69 and 70 degrees below zero.

And it’s all just in time for the holiday travel rush.

Whether you are planning to travel by plane or by car over the Christmas weekend, you could face delays, cancellations and treacherous conditions.

The weather could create more chaos at airports, which AAA, the automobile association, said will be “packed” during the holidays. Nearly 7.2 million Americans are expected to fly between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2, which is 14 percent more than last year and almost as many as in 2019, according to AAA.

Should you cancel your trip? What are your options if your flight is delayed or canceled? Here’s what you need to know if the holiday storm upsets your travel plans.

Know your rights

If the prospect of getting stuck is too daunting, many airlines, including United , American Airlines and JetBlue , are offering to rebook passengers on other flights without additional fees — if they are flying to or from areas that are expected to be hit by severe weather.

But first check the details with your carrier, because each airline has different parameters on when passengers can reschedule their flights.

If your flight is canceled, airlines are obligated by federal law to provide a full refund if the passenger requests it, said Scott Keyes, the founder of Scott’s Cheap Flights , a service that tracks and emails airfare deals to customers. This is true even if a flight is canceled because of the weather.

“It’s still not your fault as a traveler, and you are still entitled to a full cash refund if you want one,” Mr. Keyes said.

If a flight is “significantly delayed,” airlines may also provide a refund if you decide not to fly, Mr. Keyes said, though they are not required to do so. Airlines define what a “significant delay” means though two or three hours for a domestic flight should be a good rule of thumb.

To know what your carrier’s policies are, consult the Department of Transportation’s online dashboard , which features 10 U.S. airlines with green check marks next to the services they offer when flights are delayed or canceled for reasons that the airline controls, such as staffing.

In August, the agency said that it is working on a rule change that would require airlines to refund passengers whose departure or arrival times are delayed by three hours on domestic flights or six hours on international flights.

Use your leverage

Mr. Keyes said this could be an opportunity to take advantage of the expected chaos. If your airline is dropping change fees, it may be possible to get on a better flight than what you originally booked.

Airlines would much rather keep your money than fork over a refund, so “they will work with you to switch to a better flight,” he said.

Another tip: You can try calling an airline’s international hotline, not the U.S. number, even if the canceled flight was domestic, he said.

“Most airlines have numbers all over the world,” Mr. Keyes said. “They’ll have agents there whose lines are empty. They can all help get you rebooked just the same.”

Passengers who booked with online travel agencies, like Expedia, will have to work through those agencies for refunds or to make flight changes, he said.

Be prepared

Install a flight tracker app on your phone, or use your airline’s app to monitor your flight and set up alerts so that you get information as early as possible.

Knowing a flight is going to be delayed or even canceled can help passengers act quickly, said Kathleen Bangs, a spokeswoman for FlightAware , a flight tracking company.

“Then you can be first in line — or first on the phone or on your app — to make arrangements for another flight,” she said.

Passengers who become stranded at the airport may also be able to negotiate with airlines for vouchers, Ms. Bangs said, even though airlines are not required to offer them when weather causes a delay or cancellation.

Ms. Bangs said more airlines are empowering their employees to make decisions at the gate or on the phone to help customers, a philosophy espoused by Herb Kelleher , the founder of Southwest, who focused heavily on customer service.

Customer service agents may be willing to upgrade a stranded passenger’s seat, give them more miles on their mileage plan or provide a hotel voucher even if they are not obligated to, Ms. Bangs said.

“They might say, ‘Well this is a weather event so we’re not offering anything,’” she said. But “it never hurts to ask in a polite way.”

What if I’m driving?

There are two reasons your car trip might be delayed: heavy traffic and weather.

Even if the weather is clear in your location, expect congestion, especially on those days when holiday travelers share the road with regular commuters.

About 102 million people plan to drive 50 miles or more from their homes between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2, according to AAA. That’s 3.6 million more than the number of people who drove during the holiday season in 2021 and nearly as many as in 2018, when 102.5 million people hit the roads. (The record was set in 2019, when 108 million people drove between Christmas and New Year’s Day.)

In major metro areas like New York City and Los Angeles, travelers could face traffic delays that are twice as long as usual, according to INRIX, a transportation analysis agency.

If you can, drive on Christmas Day, said Bob Pishue, a transportation analyst at INRIX.

But if you have to leave before that, avoid driving between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Dec. 23, and between noon and 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve, when regular commuters are still expected to be on the road, he said.

“If schedules allow, leave bright and early or after the afternoon commute,” Mr. Pishue said.

The cold, ice and snow won’t help. In some parts of the country, the warnings about freezing weather are downright frightening.

In parts of Texas, “ dangerously cold wind chills ” are possible Thursday and Friday, while the Midwest could see blizzard conditions on Thursday.

AAA “strongly recommends drivers pack an emergency kit,” said Aixa Diaz, a spokeswoman for the group.

The kit should include a cellphone charger, a flashlight with extra batteries, a first-aid kit, reflectors, an ice scraper or snow brush, a shovel, drinking water, extra snacks and food for everyone in the car, including pets if they are traveling with you.

Drivers should have warm gloves, clothes, hats and blankets for everyone in the car. They should also clean their headlights, replace old wiper blades and inspect their tire pressure on their vehicles.

Drivers are also advised not to use cruise control in slick conditions and to stay in their lane as much as possible, since there may be patches of ice between lanes.

“If you hit a patch of ice and begin to skid, try to stay calm and resist the urge to slam on the brakes,” Ms. Diaz said. “Instead, look where you want the car to go and steer in that direction.”

Most importantly, she said, “if there is a blizzard in your path, stay home.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places for a Changed World for 2022.

Maria Cramer is a reporter on the Travel desk. Please send her tips, questions and complaints about traveling, especially on cruises. More about Maria Cramer

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M25 weekend closure: drivers told to stick to diversion to avoid London Ulez charges

Motorway will be shut both ways between junctions nine and 10 from 9pm on Friday until 6am on Monday

Drivers tempted to bypass the official diversion for this weekend’s M25 motorway closure have been warned of potential ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) charges if they stray off course.

The London orbital motorway is having its second ever planned closure , with a busy stretch in the south-west closed in both directions for works, potentially bringing long delays and congestion for thousands of drivers.

National Highways has urged motorists to avoid travel if possible or stick to the official diversions. Drivers of non-Ulez-compliant vehicles entering the clean air zone will not be charged as long as they stay on the marked route, but will otherwise be liable for the £12.50 charge if they follow their satnav for an attempted shortcut.

Only petrol vehicles more than 18 years old or diesels more than nine years old are normally liable for the charge, which was expanded to cover the whole of Greater London last year.

The M25 will be closed in both directions between junctions nine and 10 in Surrey from 9pm on Friday until 6am on Monday while concrete beams for a new bridge and a gantry are lifted into place.

The diversion for those who wish to rejoin the motorway runs for 19 miles along A-roads in Surrey and Greater London .

Jonathan Wade, a National Highways senior project manager, told the PA news agency: “Although the (Ulez) cameras will be active, no enforcement action will be taken. However, if you ignore the diversion signs and do your own thing, then if your vehicle’s not compliant, you do run the risk of getting caught.”

The traffic agency has urged drivers to follow the main route to minimise the risk of rural gridlock, with thousands of cars normally using the stretch of motorway every hour.

This weekend is the second of five planned closures of the M25 in a £317m works scheme, after the first ever planned daytime shutdown in March on the neighbouring stretch from junctions 10 to 11.

Fears that the zigzag diversion routes then used between Cobham and Woking would host epic jams were eventually unrealised, with only a third of the normal volumes of traffic using the roads after a widespread awareness campaign.

However, Wade said there was a “very real” risk that the benign outcome of early March could make motorists complacent about the fresh warnings to reassess journeys.

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Other stretches of the M25 will also be disrupted this weekend, with work to retrofit more emergency refuges on its sections designated as smart motorway with no hard shoulder.

The RAC also warned of more congested roads ahead, with this week’s national rail strikes potentially forcing more travellers into cars.

The M25 will close for three more weekends this year, with the next one scheduled for August. The works will increase the number of lanes and improve junction 10, one of Britain’s busiest motorway junctions.

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Airbnb updated 'major events' policy; it didn't predict travel restrictions | Fact check

The claim: Airbnb warned governments will start restricting travel on June 6

An April 27 Facebook post ( direct link , archive link ) claims a popular vacation website has issued a warning about upcoming travel restrictions.

"Message from AirBnB: 'expect Governments restricting travel after June 6th 2024."

It goes on to claim these developments are related to "foreseeable weather events leading to a Government travel restriction or large scale utility outage."

The claim appeared in an April 10 Substack post shared on Facebook more than 100 times in three weeks, according to CrowdTangle, a social media analytics tool. A version of the claim on X, formerly Twitter, was reposted more than 3,000 times in five days.

More from the Fact-Check Team: How we pick and research claims | Email newsletter | Facebook page

Our rating: False

Airbnb announced an update to its policy regarding refunds and cancellations involving certain events, including government travel restrictions. It did not warn about any upcoming events.

Airbnb updated policy but did not predict travel restrictions

The post refers to a late March announcement by Airbnb about an update to its "major disruptive events" policy . However, neither the policy nor the news release announcing the changes predicts imminent government travel restrictions, as the post claims.

The policy already allows guests to cancel reservations for "unexpected major events," including "natural disasters, government travel restrictions or weather events," regardless of a host's cancellation policy. It also allows hosts to cancel reservations without fees, according to the news release .

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The update means it will also "explicitly apply to foreseeable weather events," including "hurricanes during hurricane season, that result in another covered event happening, like a government travel restriction or large-scale outage of essential utilities," the news release says.

"As an example, if a hurricane were to impact Florida during hurricane season and this led to a mandatory evacuation order, under the old policy affected bookings for this destination would not be eligible for a refund," the news release says. "With this update, in these same circumstances, guests with affected bookings do qualify for a refund."

The changes to the policy take effect June 6 , the same date referenced in the claim.

USA TODAY reached out to the social media user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Airbnb declined to provide an on-the-record comment.

Reuters also debunked the claim.

Our fact-check sources:

• USA TODAY, March 28, Airbnb's updated policy will make it easier for guests to cancel reservations
• Airbnb, accessed May 1, Major Disruptive Events Policy
• Airbnb, March 28, An update on our Major Disruptive Events Policy

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