United warns of disruption at six East Coast airports

United Airlines warned travelers of disruptions at six East Coast airports as thunderstorms and air traffic constraints hit the Northeast ahead of Memorial Day weekend. A United travel waiver dated May 20 covered Baltimore/Washington, Washington Reagan, Newark, Washington Dulles, LaGuardia and Philadelphia, according to the airline’s Jetstream operations page. The Federal Aviation Administration’s National Airspace System dashboard on May 21 showed active and forecast delay measures in the New York area, including a JFK departure delay and a probable LaGuardia ground stop or delay program. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said 5.6 million travelers were expected across its airports and crossings from Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25. ### Which airports did United actually put under a waiver? United’s May 20 waiver listed BWI, DCA, EWR, IAD, LGA and PHL as impacted airports, with travel dates of May 20 only and waiver code 7JCM5. The airline’s public travel alerts page says customers whose trips are affected can review flight options there, though the detailed East Coast waiver text surfaced on United’s Jetstream business portal rather than the consumer alerts page. (jetstream.united.com) The six-airport list differs from some secondary reports that referenced JFK and Boston. United’s own waiver, as visible on Jetstream on May 21, named Baltimore/Washington, Reagan National, Newark, Dulles, LaGuardia and Philadelphia. ### What was happening in the FAA system on Thursday? The FAA dashboard, updated early May 21, showed a departure delay at JFK averaging 15 minutes and increasing because of traffic-management initiatives and weather. (jetstream.united.com) The same FAA page forecast a probable ground stop or delay program at LaGuardia after 1100 local planning time and possible route restrictions affecting the New York and Philadelphia area. New Jersey storm coverage on May 20 said the FAA had imposed ground stops at Newark, JFK and Philadelphia as thunderstorms moved across the region. That report matched the broader pattern of weather-driven disruption United cited in its waiver. ### Why is LaGuardia part of the problem? LaGuardia was dealing with more than thunderstorms. (nasstatus.faa.gov) CNBC reported on May 20 that a sinkhole shut a runway at the airport, and the Port Authority warned travelers to expect delays and cancellations as storms moved in. The FAA’s May 21 planning outlook then flagged LaGuardia again for a probable ground stop or delay program, showing how local airfield constraints were feeding into wider New York-area congestion. (nj.com) ### How heavy is the holiday travel backdrop? The Port Authority said on May 18 that more than 2.1 million passengers were expected to pass through JFK, Newark, LaGuardia and Stewart during the five-day holiday period. (cnbc.com) Friday and Monday were expected to be the busiest airport days, and the agency advised domestic passengers to arrive at least two hours early and international passengers at least three hours early. (nasstatus.faa.gov) The same advisory said travelers should allow additional time because of high passenger volume and ongoing construction, and urged JFK passengers to use mass transit if possible. ### What should travelers watch next? United said its travel alerts page is the place to check whether a specific itinerary qualifies for rebooking options. (panynj.gov) The FAA dashboard continues to post live airport events and forecast traffic-management programs, and the Port Authority’s advisory remains in effect through Monday, May 25, with Friday and Monday expected to draw the heaviest crowds. (united.com)