As the holiday season continues, U.S. airline operations have, for the most part, experienced minimal disruptions. Despite Southwest Airlines facing some challenges over the Christmas weekend, these issues were far from the scale of their notorious operational collapse in the previous year. According to FlightAware, from December 21 to Christmas Day, a total of 861 flights were canceled by U.S. airlines, accounting for only 0.8% of their total schedule. Flight delays also amounted to 17.4% of flights. These statistics compare favorably to the overall cancellation rate of U.S. airlines in 2023, which stands at 1.2%, and their late arrival rate of 20.7%.
The calm weather prevailing across much of the United States has certainly contributed to the airlines’ improved performance during this holiday season. However, careful scheduling and an increase in staffing redundancy have also played a significant role. Furthermore, unseasonably warm weather persisted across the eastern half of the country during the weekend, with the Christmas Day snow coverage being the lowest in over two decades, as reported by The Weather Channel.
Southwest Airlines’ Challenges
Among the major U.S. airlines, Southwest Airlines encountered the most difficulties over the Christmas weekend. Dense fog at Chicago Midway, the airline’s fourth-busiest airport, was the leading cause of cancellations during this period. Southwest Airlines canceled 559 flights from December 21 to December 25, representing 2.6% of its scheduled flights, and also saw a delay rate of 26.1%.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Southwest Airlines confirmed that they are now operating a normal flight schedule at Chicago Midway and throughout their network. They assured passengers that their staff are fully present, all gates are open, and no further challenges are expected.
Optimistic Start to the Holiday Season
On Tuesday, U.S. airlines started the day on a positive note, as FlightAware reported only 79 canceled flights involving arrivals, departures, or domestic flights within the United States up until 12:30 p.m. Eastern time. This year’s holiday season is projected to be one of the busiest on record, with a significant 16% increase in the number of passengers per day compared to the previous year, according to Airlines for America.
While the holiday season is traditionally a time of increased travel and potential disruptions, U.S. airlines have so far experienced a relatively smooth ride. The favorable weather conditions across the country, along with the meticulous planning and increased staffing redundancy by airlines, have contributed to their improved performance. Despite Southwest Airlines facing challenges at Chicago Midway, they have successfully recovered and are now operating at full capacity. As the holiday season continues, airlines remain optimistic and continue to work towards providing smooth and efficient travel experiences for their passengers.