Home for the holidays? Nationwide flight cancellations and delays persist

Graphic by Easton Clark, Photo Editor

For students dreaming of home-cooked meals and family reunions over Thanksgiving and winter break, the holiday travel season is shaping up to be anything but merry. 

Although travelers had a flicker of hope as the steps to end the prolonged government shutdown began, the ongoing flight cancellations and seasonal weather in certain areas of the U.S. could continue causing travel catastrophes.

With 35.37% of Chapman students from out of state and 5.01% from out of the country, many students want to take flights back to their hometowns during the upcoming breaks, especially before the spring semester begins. 

Azucena Sotelo, a sophomore double majoring in strategic and corporate communication and creative writing, explained that she decided not to go home over Thanksgiving break because of the flight issues.

“I definitely was unmotivated to even try arranging a last-minute trip,” Sotelo said. “I was thinking of maybe flying to my aunt’s, but the flight issues made me worried.”

In compliance with the Federal Aviation Administration’s mandate due to the government shutdown, as of Nov. 11, airlines are expected to cancel 6% of their flights at 40 high-traffic airports, even though the shutdown is expected to be resolved as the bill moves to the House after Senate passage.

According to Flight Aware, a global flight tracking and data platform used by both individuals and airlines, it lists on Nov. 11 there were a total of 4,149 delayed flights within, into or out of the United States, and 1,890 cancellations.

Most affected are major cities such as Chicago, New York, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth and even locally in Los Angeles. 

Peighton Suwyn, a junior strategic and corporate communication major, explained she also noticed an increase in flight prices. 

“When I booked my flight, there was definitely a price increase, so much so that I'm flying out of Long Beach instead of Santa Ana,” she said.

Suwyn said the John Wayne Airport (SNA) has frequent delays even without the government shutdown, so she fears the situation at Long Beach Municipal Airport (LGB).

“I am very worried about my flight getting delayed or canceled as the FAA shutdowns continue,” Suwyn said. 

At the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), an airport many Chapman students frequent, at least 72 flights were canceled and 314 had been delayed as of 8 p.m. on Nov. 10.

When asked about future break plans, Sotelo explained she is especially worried about going home for winter break.

“It is something occupying my mind, and I’m looking for a plan B,” said Sotelo. 

Although flight cancellations and delays are still prominent, the U.S. The Department of Transportation stated the situation continues to improve for those wishing to travel.

As students prepare for crowded airports and uncertain departures, no matter how turbulent the travel season gets, the pull of home and the promise of being with their loved ones for the holidays is worth it to many who are weathering the storm.