United Airlines battles ongoing disruptions over July Fourth holiday flights

Flight delays and cancellations continued to affect thousands of Fourth of July travelers on Friday, with United Airlines passengers experiencing the most significant disruptions.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects to screen 17.7 million people from June 29 through July 5, peaking on Friday with over 2.8 million screenings in a single day. This is a clear indication of the strong recovery of air travel after the Covid pandemic.

On Friday, more than 4,800 U.S. flights experienced delays, with United Airlines facing more delays than its competitors.

By 5 p.m. on Friday, United had canceled over 230 mainline flights, which accounted for 8% of its operations. Additionally, more than 790 flights, or over a quarter of its schedule, were delayed, according to flight-tracker FlightAware.

Although these numbers were an improvement from the disruptions experienced on Thursday and last weekend, when thunderstorms caused chaos at congested airports along the East Coast, there were still challenges. Some airline executives blamed the Federal Aviation Administration’s shortage of air traffic controllers for exacerbating the situation for their customers.

Throughout the week, customers faced long waits for flight information, customer service, and lost bags. This resulted in many travelers sprawled out on airport floors, desperately waiting for updates or alternative flights.

Even United Airlines’ CEO, Scott Kirby, encountered difficulties getting a seat out of the New York area. He ended up taking a private jet from New Jersey to Colorado, for which he later apologized.

United Airlines said its performance was improving as the holiday weekend progressed. The airline offered waivers to affected travelers, allowing them to rebook their trips without paying fare differences. However, storms and other challenges, such as wildfire smoke from Canada, may continue to disrupt flights in the coming days.

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg called out United Airlines for the challenges it faced over the past week, acknowledging that while improvements were being made, there is still work to be done.

Airlines are facing pressure to ensure reliable operations as travel demand increases. Weather-related disruptions and staffing shortages have further complicated the situation.

From Saturday through Thursday, more than 42,000 flights operated by U.S. airlines were delayed, and over 7,900 flights were canceled. This amounted to a cancellation rate about four times higher than the year’s average.

Union leaders blamed United Airlines for some of the problems, accusing the company of not investing in proper staffing and operations. Contract negotiations are ongoing, with the unions seeking compensation and scheduling improvements.

Despite the challenges, the worst disruptions of the week have subsided. However, airlines may still face obstacles from storms and other external factors.

Both United Airlines and JetBlue have criticized the Federal Aviation Administration for contributing to the disruptions. They are working with the FAA to understand the reasons behind the significant air traffic control restrictions that affected multiple carriers.