Record Cold and Winter Storm Creates Havoc for Airlines

airlineMore than 3,000 flights across the industry were cancelled Monday as a winter storm, snow and record cold created havoc for airlines and travelers. Jet Blue, for example, reduced operations and cancelled roughly 300 flights and virtually shut down operations at JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, and Boston through 10 a.m. ET Tuesday. Jet Blue says it intends to be 100 percent operational by 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday. The plan allows for 17 hours of rest for crews and time for Tech Ops to service the aircraft, Jet Blue said.

These industry wide cancellations, on top of the previous days’ cancellations, have now left millions of air travelers displaced, struggling to find any available seat to get to their destinations, Jet Blue said.

RELATED: 70 Million to Be Hit by Thursday Snowstorm

Compounding the airlines problems newly launched FAA regulations on pilot duty times caused delayed flights to quickly turn into canceled ones, Jet Blue noted. 

With planes already full with previously booked holiday travelers, remaining seats are quickly filled,  ( or overbooked), and some customers aren’t seeing available seats for nearly a week, Jet Blue said. Jet Blue, like other carriers urges traveler to rebook travel or request a refund online. Jet Blue offers extensive online information and including travel alerts and fee waivers.Travelers are encouraged to check the status of their flight online prior to leaving for the airport.

RELATED: Storms to Delay Christmas Travel

Visit www.jetblue.com