Over 6,000 U.S. flights delayed on May 18-19

Flight disruptions spread across the United States on May 18 and May 19 as weather and traffic-management constraints hit airports ahead of the Memorial Day travel rush. FlightAware’s delay tracker showed hundreds of delayed flights at major airports, including Los Angeles International Airport, while the Federal Aviation Administration warned of thunderstorms and low clouds affecting traffic flows on Tuesday. The FAA said Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago, Tampa, Denver and Seattle were among the places where weather could slow operations. ### Where were the biggest disruptions showing up? Los Angeles International Airport recorded 331 delays and six cancellations on Tuesday, according to FlightAware’s live cancellation and delay statistics page. The same page listed delayed flights involving carriers including SkyWest, Southwest, United and American, underscoring how disruption at one major hub can spread across multiple airline networks. (flightaware.com) Charlotte Douglas International Airport also appeared on FlightAware’s list of affected airports on Tuesday. FlightAware’s LAX statistics page, which also lists delays at destination and origin airports, showed Charlotte with two delayed flights in that snapshot, though third-party reports earlier cited higher totals on May 18 as congestion built. ### What did the FAA say was causing the slowdowns? (flightaware.com) The FAA said on May 19 that thunderstorms could slow traffic in Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago and Tampa, while low clouds could delay flights in Denver and Seattle. The agency said its daily air traffic report is intended for planning purposes and reflects expected impacts to normal air traffic operations, including arrival and departure delays. (flightaware.com) The FAA’s National Airspace System status page said major U.S. airports may be experiencing delays or traffic-management initiatives and told passengers to check with their airline for flight-specific information. The agency’s text-only airport status page said systemwide delays were under 15 minutes at the time of the snapshot, but noted that airport conditions are general and not specific to individual flights. (faa.gov) ### Why do delays climb so fast around holiday periods? Memorial Day week typically brings heavier passenger volumes, and delays can compound when weather reduces runway capacity or forces spacing between flights. FlightAware’s MiseryMap, a live visualization of U.S. delays and cancellations, showed disruption concentrated at hubs including Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, New York-area airports, Miami, Houston, Chicago, San Francisco, Phoenix and Seattle. (fly.faa.gov) A delay at one airport can also affect aircraft rotations, flight crews and inbound connections later in the day. That is why a weather issue in Chicago or Dallas can show up hours later in places with clear skies. That link is reflected in the FAA’s traffic reports, which focus on systemwide operational effects rather than only local weather. ### What should travelers watch if they are flying now? (flightaware.com) The FAA said travelers looking for up-to-the-minute air traffic operations information should use fly.faa.gov and follow FAA alerts, while also checking directly with their carrier for flight-specific status. FlightAware’s airport and systemwide trackers remain one of the clearest public indicators of where delays are building during the day. (faa.gov) Tuesday, May 19, is the next key date for passengers already booked to fly, because the FAA’s latest daily report still flags weather risks in several major markets. Airlines, airport status pages and FlightAware trackers are likely to provide the next round of updates as the holiday travel period continues. (faa.gov)