More than 7,800 US flights were delayed Friday — including 45% of JetBlue’s operations and almost a third of United, American Airlines and Southwest’s operations. Delta also saw a quarter of its operations delayed.
Delays have eased up Saturday, however, with at least 2,200 flights delayed in the United States and 578 cancellations. Delays were concentrated in New York-area airports, according to FlightAware data.
So far this year, US airlines have canceled 3.5% of flights, up 42% over 2019, according to Department of Transportation data.
The TSA said it screened 2,490,490 passengers on Friday, more than the number of passengers screened on that day in 2019, when 2,184,253 flew during the pre-pandemic holiday.
Bernie Sanders said that he wants the DoT to fine airlines up to $27,500 per passenger for delays.
“US airlines always strive to provide a seamless travel experience and are making every effort — including trimming schedules — to help ensure smooth travel,” Airlines for America (A4A), an industry group representing major US air carriers, said in a statement after a call with the FAA Thursday to make plans for any weather disruptions over the long weekend.
Off-duty Delta pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, picketed at the carrier’s hubs on Thursday to protest the slow progress of contract negotiations. They’re demanding improvements in pay, retirement and job protections — as well as changes to pilot schedules to avoid disruptions caused by “preventable management missteps.”
CNN’s Pete Muntean and Gregory Wallace contributed to this report.
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