American Airlines is confronting significant criticism following a distressing incident where passengers experienced a delay exceeding fifteen hours during a severe winter storm, culminating in the eventual cancellation of their flight. The ordeal unfolded at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, leaving travellers stranded and frustrated as the airline's handling of the situation came under intense scrutiny.
Passenger Ordeal at Baton Rouge Airport
Eager travellers arrived at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport in the early hours of Monday morning, around 5am, anticipating an American Airlines flight bound for Washington DC. The scheduled boarding time was set for 5.55am, yet passengers found themselves still waiting at the airport well past 7pm that evening, enduring a series of repeated delays.
John Hains, one of the affected passengers, recounted the frustrating experience to local media. "They delayed us 14 times," Hains stated, "I have 14 emails." He explained that the extensive delays ultimately led to the flight crew reaching their legal working limits, which precipitated the cancellation. Under federal regulations, flight attendants are permitted to work up to 14 hours in a single day, a rule that was communicated to the stranded travellers.
Impact of Winter Storm Fern
The chaos was largely attributed to Winter Storm Fern, which caused widespread disruption across the United States. According to data from FlightAware, American Airlines cancelled more than 1,800 flights nationwide on Monday due to the severe weather conditions. At Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport alone, 639 flights were cancelled on Monday, with the airport having been forced to close temporarily on Sunday to clear snow from its runways.
Hains detailed the specific reasons for the delays, citing crosswinds caused by the massive storm as a primary factor. "First, the DC Airport was closed and didn't open apparently until at least 9.30 this morning," he added, highlighting the cascading effects of the weather on flight operations.
Failed Rebooking and Continued Frustration
In an attempt to resolve the situation, passengers were rebooked onto a different flight destined for Charlotte Douglas International Airport, with the intention of subsequently travelling to Washington DC. However, this alternative plan quickly unravelled. "And so they booked us onto Charlotte, which was supposed to leave at 5:30, and then got delayed to 7 and then 7:30," Hains explained. The rescheduled trip to Charlotte was ultimately cancelled, and Hains reported that his flight was moved again to Tuesday night.
Another traveller, Angela Williams, shared her unpleasant experience, which began when she arrived at the airport around 5am alongside dozens of other passengers. "I was scheduled to fly to DCA Reagan National in Washington DC," Williams told reporters. "We were supposed to board at 5:55 this morning." She expressed disappointment at being unable to return to DC after spending the week in Baton Rouge.
Calls for Transparency and Passenger Discomfort
Passengers voiced strong criticism regarding the airline's lack of transparency, arguing that an earlier cancellation would have allowed them to avoid the airport altogether. Given the frigid conditions, many would have preferred to remain at home. "I could have been at my parents' house resting because it's actually cold in this airport," Williams added. "It's very cold." Baton Rouge was under an extreme cold warning until noon on Tuesday, with temperatures lingering in the teens and 20s, exacerbating the discomfort for those stranded.
At the local airport, FlightAware reported two delays and one cancellation on the day following the incident. Meanwhile, at Reagan National Airport, 98 delays and 157 cancellations were recorded, indicating ongoing disruptions.
Broader Travel Chaos and Future Concerns
Nationwide, travel figures showed 12,710 delays and 2,003 cancellations, marking a slight improvement from the weekend's extensive travel chaos. Over 11,500 flights were cancelled on Sunday as icy and snowy conditions brought by Winter Storm Fern wreaked havoc on airports across the country.
Looking ahead, the National Weather Service has issued warnings about the possibility of another winter storm battering the eastern half of the United States this upcoming weekend, raising concerns about further travel disruptions. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which operates Reagan National Airport, confirmed that the airport is now open for flight operations but redirected inquiries about Monday's delays to the airline.
American Airlines and Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport have been approached for comment regarding the incident, as passengers continue to seek answers and compensation for their prolonged ordeal.
