All articles tagged with #thanksgiving travel
The Trump administration told a federal court in Massachusetts that it mistakenly deported 19-year-old Babson College freshman Any Lucia López Belloza to Honduras while a court order blocked her removal; although it admitted the error, officials have not moved to drop the case, underscoring ongoing tensions between aggressive immigration enforcement and due-process safeguards.
During the busy Thanksgiving weekend, U.S. travelers experienced thousands of flight delays and cancellations due to winter storms and airline software update issues, particularly affecting major airports in Chicago, New York City, Boston, and Midwest regions.
The US air traffic system is experiencing significant delays and cancellations due to a federal government shutdown, with over 2,100 flights canceled and staffing shortages among air traffic controllers, which could worsen during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warns that the economic impact of the ongoing government shutdown is worsening, with significant disruptions in air travel due to unpaid air traffic controllers, leading to flight cancellations and potential severe holiday travel disruptions, as officials warn the situation will deteriorate until the shutdown ends.
The ongoing US government shutdown, now the longest in history, has led to staffing shortages among air traffic controllers and security screeners, prompting the FAA to order flight cuts at major airports, affecting over 3.2 million travelers and threatening holiday travel plans, with airlines working to minimize disruptions.
The ongoing government shutdown is causing staffing shortages among TSA agents and air traffic controllers, leading to increased delays, cancellations, and longer lines at airports during the busy Thanksgiving travel period. Experts advise travelers to plan ahead, book flexible tickets, and allow extra time for security checks, as disruptions could worsen if the shutdown continues or ends close to the holiday.
The FAA has ordered a 10% reduction in flights at 40 major U.S. airports due to the ongoing government shutdown, aiming to reduce fatigue among air traffic controllers and ensure safety, which may lead to increased delays and cancellations, especially during the busy Thanksgiving travel period.
Meteorologists have issued a Weather Impact Alert for Saturday as Missouri's first snow of the season is expected to affect the I-70 corridor, potentially impacting post-Thanksgiving travel. While most areas will see only a light dusting, a narrow band of heavier snow up to three inches may form over I-70, posing travel hazards. AAA Missouri and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have shared winter driving tips and emergency kit recommendations to help drivers navigate the conditions safely.
A major snowstorm has caused significant travel disruptions on Interstate 70 in Colorado, coinciding with Thanksgiving travel. The eastbound lanes between Silverthorne and the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels have reopened after multiple closures, while Loveland Pass remains closed. The National Weather Service has warned of difficult travel conditions due to expected heavy snowfall in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.
American Airlines is expanding its new boarding technology to over 100 airports nationwide before Thanksgiving to prevent passengers from cutting in line. The technology, which alerts gate agents if someone boards before their assigned group, has been tested at several airports and received positive feedback. It aims to reduce congestion and improve the boarding process, benefiting both customers and staff. The rollout includes major hubs like Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) set a new record on Sunday by screening over 2.9 million passengers, the highest number in the agency's history. This surpassed the previous record set on the Sunday after Thanksgiving last year by 10 percent and was a 25 percent increase from 2019. Despite the high volume of travelers, flight cancellations remained low, with less than half a percent of scheduled flights being canceled. The Thanksgiving travel period was relatively smooth, although there were some delays due to weather conditions. American Airlines reported its busiest day of the holiday period, while Southwest Airlines operated over 20,000 flights and carried more than 2.6 million passengers.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) broke a record for the highest number of daily passengers on Sunday, with 2,907,378 people screened at U.S. airports. This record was set despite a storm causing delays at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. American Airlines also reported a record high of nearly 6.5 million customers over the Thanksgiving holiday.
South Florida airports, including Palm Beach International Airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, and Miami International Airport, are experiencing major flight delays on the busiest travel day of the year due to runway construction, high volume, and the need to space out air traffic. The delays range from 3 minutes to 63 minutes, affecting both departures and arrivals. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 2.9 million passengers on this busy travel day, urging travelers to arrive at the airport two hours before their scheduled departure time. Additionally, a snowstorm in the Rockies and Central Plains has put 14 million people under winter weather alerts.
As Americans face nightmare travel during the Thanksgiving holiday, it's worth reminiscing about the golden era of flying from the 1950s to 1970s when air travel was synonymous with glamour and luxury. Passengers enjoyed spacious seats, lounges, and gourmet meals served on silver trays, accompanied by an endless flow of champagne. Security screenings were not mandatory, and passengers dressed up for their journeys, while airline staff donned designer uniforms. With long lines and delays expected this holiday season, reflecting on the refined "golden age of travel" can provide a nostalgic escape.
A snowstorm hit southern Wisconsin on the busiest travel day of the year, causing steady, light snowfall throughout the morning. The National Weather Service predicted up to 3 inches of snow in south-central Wisconsin and 1 to 2 inches elsewhere in southern Wisconsin. Live traffic conditions can be monitored through the state road conditions map and updates from 511 Wisconsin or the Wisconsin Department of Transportation on Twitter. The Madison Streets Division deployed 32 trucks to salt and plow the city's main thoroughfares, while non-salt routes are likely to be snow-covered.