Christmas travel: Severe weather causes massive flight disruptions

Thousands of U.S. flights on Friday were canceled and delayed due to severe winter weather that disrupted travel across the country days before Christmas.

More than 4,200 domestic and international flights have been canceled as of 1 p.m. ET, according to air travel tracker FlightAware. According to data, more than 4,600 cases are late.

This marked the third consecutive day of widespread air travel disruptions in the country.

An American Airlines plane is being deiced as high winds blow off about 7.5 inches of fresh snow in Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Thursday 22nd December 2022. (David Joles/Star Tribune via AP/AP Images)

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More than 10,028 flights to and from the United States were delayed on Thursday, and nearly 2,539 flights were canceled. On Wednesday, FlightAware reported more than 8,100 flight delays for him.

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Travelers arrive for a flight at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on December 16, 2022. (Scott Olson/Getty Images/Getty Images)

Southwest Airlines had the most turmoil of any major U.S. airline. As of 1pm Friday, 22% of flights have been canceled and another 26% delayed.

About 54 million passengers I am planning to depart from an airport in the US over the Christmas and New Year holidays. Thursday and Friday are projected to be the busiest travel days during the holiday season, with 3.34 million passengers expected to depart each day, according to travel app Hopper.

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Ice is removed from a United Airlines jet after a cold front moves into General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, December 22, 2022. Mark Hoffman/USA Today Network via Reuters. Resale prohibited.No Archive Mandatory Credit (Mark Hoffman/USA Today Network via Reuters / Reuters Photos)

predicted by the forecaster Severe weather, consisting of heavy snow, ice, flooding and high winds, is expected to hit various parts of the United States from the Plains and Midwest to the East Coast as early as Thursday. It is expected to continue until Saturday, with a sharp rise in Arctic air.

Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta already Issuance of travel exemption In different parts of the country in case the traveler’s flight is interrupted. This means that change fees and fare differences for certain flights affected by inclement weather are waived by the airline.

Daniella Genovese of FOX Business contributed to this report