ST. LOUIS — American Airlines canceled or delayed hundreds of flights Monday, and thousands over the weekend. After Southwest Airlines had a similar experience a couple of weeks ago, it leaves many people wondering if this is what the holiday travel season is going to look like.
The arrival-departure signs at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport Monday showed American Airlines flights on time, delayed, and canceled. 5 On Your Side found travelers who were impacted, not on American Airlines, but United.
Denise McAllister said, “Well, I was flying out United, yesterday, and the flight got delayed and delayed, and eventually canceled. The gate attendant told me she didn't think it was actually going to go last night. So, they put me in a hotel, which was nice, and I flew out this morning on Delta.”
Ivana Haymon also flew on United Airlines.
“We were delayed once we boarded,” said Haymon, “55 minutes or so, due to a control tower issue. But we made it safely, which is all that matters.”
When Haymon was asked if she believed that explanation, she said, laughing, "Maybe, with a lot of the shortage around, staffing shortages.”
Stacey Acree, president of Brentwood Travel, said this was an issue with the entire industry, not just any one airline.
Acree said, “They're overwhelmed, and flights are not going to go out, empty. So, you really need to watch it. When people want to go certain places, I always say, 'How can you get there? What's the most direct way?' When you travel today, if you can do a non-stop, pay for the non-stop. It makes a huge difference."
Acree says three weeks away from the holiday season, we should expect this travel turbulence to continue.
“The airlines used to put you up overnight,” said Acree. “That may or may not happen, anymore. So, you need to be prepared, and air travel insurance does cover some of those airline delay costs if they're over six hours.”
Acree suggests that under these conditions, you arrive at the airport two hours before your flight, don't pack your valuables, and travel with less luggage.
Call it the new normal.