Will U.S. Airlines Bounce Back by This Weekend?

After six days of severe weather, particularly at major hub airports, countless travelers have struggled to reach their destinations this week. FlightAware reports that over 8,000 U.S. flights have been canceled since Saturday, June 24, with more than 30,000 additional flights delayed.

With the Fourth of July holiday weekend just days away, many travelers are anxious about whether they’ll make it to their destinations in time.

“Significant systemic delays and cancellations can take a few days to resolve, as planes and crew get out of sync,” noted Gary Leff, author of ViewFromTheWing.com. “However, it seems that progress is being made, and conditions should improve as we approach the weekend.”

Brett Snyder, president of Cranky Concierge, an air travel assistance service that provides urgent help during cancellations or delays, shared a similar view, stating that airlines are optimistic about being “well into recovery by the weekend.” However, he cautioned that this depends on various external factors.

“Snyder mentioned that Sunday and Monday are expected to be stormy along the East Coast. “If that happens and disrupts air traffic, we could see more chaos. However, with summer storms, their timing and impact can be unpredictable,” he added.

As of 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 29, over 500 flights had been canceled and more than 3,500 were delayed for the day—figures likely to rise as inclement weather persists nationwide. The FAA’s Daily Air Traffic Report indicated that low clouds and thunderstorms near airports in Boston, Detroit, Chicago, Denver, Minneapolis, Seattle, and across Florida could lead to additional complications.

Airports in the Boston and New York regions have faced the most disruption this week, with nearly half of all flights either delayed or canceled on Monday and Tuesday, creating a ripple effect across the country.

“Airlines manage crew assignments in various ways; for instance, crew members can be spread across hubs. Thus, when a flight is delayed, it affects not just subsequent flights using that aircraft but also the crew assigned to it,” explained Leff. “The captain might be needed for one flight, the copilot for another, and flight attendants for yet others. Consequently, delays from a single flight heading to a hub can create a cascading effect.”

Some of the most severely impacted hub airports include Chicago, Denver, and Houston. According to FlightAware’s MiseryMap, at least 25 percent of flights in and out of these airports faced delays or cancellations between Monday and Wednesday.

This occurs during a period of record-breaking travel. On Sunday, June 25, the TSA reported that 2,756,488 travelers passed through its checkpoints nationwide. This figure surpasses 2022 numbers for the same day by nearly 300,000 and 2021 by approximately 600,000.

What to Do If Your Flight Is Canceled

If your flight gets canceled and you still want to travel, airlines are mandated by the Department of Transportation to rebook you on the next available flight at no extra charge. However, due to the high number of cancellations and full flights this summer, securing seats can be challenging, especially for families. The next available flight might be several days away, depending on your departure and arrival locations.

You can also request to be rebooked on a different airline’s flight to your destination. While airlines aren't obligated to transfer passengers to a competitor’s aircraft, they often do during significant travel disruptions. Mentioning alternative flight options to the agent can strengthen your case. Additionally, you might consider using an urgent air travel assistance service like Cranky Concierge, which specializes in rebooking for a fee.

If you decide not to fly anymore, you're entitled to a full refund (even for a nonrefundable ticket) in the original payment method. Airlines may suggest accepting a voucher for future travel, but you can politely insist on a refund back to your credit card. If you choose to accept a voucher, be sure to ask about its expiration date.

Discover more

→ How to Monitor Your Flight Status in Real Time
→ Strategies to Prevent Flight Delays and Cancellations—and What to Do If They Occur
→ Tips for Traveling Light with Just One Bag This Summer