NEWS: Over 2,400 Flights Canceled in the U.S. Today With More Expected

It’s been a busy travel season for airlines over the holidays, but inclement weather and the growing spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant have caused quite a few flight cancellations over the weeks.

Holiday crowds at the Orlando International Airport

Over 3,000 flights were canceled prior to Christmas and that number has only continued to climb with reports of over 6,000 flights being canceled worldwide between December 24th to the 26th. And, travelers continue to face issues today.

According to CNBC, more than 2,400 flights have been canceled on January 1st, 2022 in the U.S. due to severe weather and the surge of Omicron cases being reported by airline staff.

Orlando International Airport

Southwest Airlines is among the companies that have had to cancel a large number of flights today, with a spokeswoman stating that these cancellations are due to “gusty winds and blowing snow that…will slow down the airspace and also make deicing and getting aircraft back into the air very challenging.”

Other airlines with cancellations include United Airlines, Delta Airlines, and JetBlue Airways, who have all cited Omicron cases among crew members as the reasoning for many of the issues.

Southwest’s 50th Anniversary Plane

Many airlines now have additional incentives for pilots and flight attendants to pick up open shifts in an effort to decrease the number of cancellations, however, executives are still stating that more flights could be impacted in the coming weeks.

Orlando International Airport

FlightAware (a flight-tracking site) now shows that more than 12,000 U.S. flights have been canceled with thousands more delayed since December 24th, 2021. So, be sure to check your flight status before you make your way to the airport, and stay tuned to AllEars for more of the latest news and updates that may impact your next Disney World trip!