Luggage piles up at airports amid winter storm flight cancellations

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First, bad weather affected flights during one of the busiest holiday travel seasons in over 20 years. Then I hit my luggage.

Frequent flight itineraries as passengers across the United States faced widespread cancellations and delays as a massive winter storm hit a sizeable portion of the country over the New Year weekend The change resulted in a pile of suitcases and luggage at the airport.

About 8,700 U.S. flights were delayed and 4,000 canceled on Monday as storms hit much of the country, according to data from flight tracking website FlightAware. Dozens died in the storm, which brought dangerous conditions of heavy snow, ice and bitter cold.

Southwest Airlines travelers bore the brunt after Christmas The company said on Monday it would continue to cut about two-thirds of its flights “over the next few days” as it tried to ensure a return to normal schedules.

Days after the company first warned of weather-related disruptions on Wednesday, FlightAware says the impact is still being felt, with more than 2,900 flights (or 71% of planned flights) scrapped on Monday alone. rice field.

passengers who boarded Detail your travel nightmare on social media and ask the airline for help.

In addition to canceling flights, one person who tried to reach Southwest on Twitter wrote: and a missing christmas“Now my bag is [nowhere] can be found. … all the Christmas presents are there. ”

The airline has lost your luggage. So?

Many said they spent hours talking to airline employees and looking for their luggage.

I was advised after a 6 hour queue that my luggage could be transferred to my final destination even if my flight was cancelled. It is currently at a loss. It is clear that no one can get hold of it. I have been on hold for 3 hours and am still waiting. This is outrageous.

— Jade Jolie (@QueenJadeJolie) December 26, 2022

In a statement, Southwest said, “With extreme winter weather continuing across our network, ongoing challenges are severely impacting our customers and employees, which is unacceptable.” Our sincere apologies for this are just the beginning.”

@Southwest Airlines Due to several delays and cancellations, I missed Christmas with my family and am currently stuck at the Kansas City airport. Almost all southwestbound flights have been canceled with little explanation and no one at the gate.Baggage claim pic.twitter.com/Gzhtfca5Hy

— Caroline “Flynn” (@ceaflynn) December 26, 2022

U.S. Department of Transportation advised Southwest’s “reports of unacceptable cancellation rates and delays and lack of prompt customer service. The department will investigate whether cancellations were controllable and whether Southwest is complying with its customer service plan.”

Winter storms wreak havoc on flights. Here’s why:

More than half of Air Canada’s flights were delayed Monday, with 5% canceled, according to FlightAware.

In the UK, members of the military were asked to work at airports as police officers checking passports during holidays went on strike for eight days.

Q: Will the AirTag save my lost luggage?

Passengers in the UK were stranded and their luggage went missing over the summer as the airline industry copes with surging demand for passengers as it struggles to recruit and train enough workers after two years of the pandemic I was having a hard time doing it.