Millions of Americans are facing significant travel disruptions this Christmas holiday, as severe weather conditions and technical issues combine to wreak havoc during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.
A major winter storm swept across the East Coast, blanketing cities from Boston to Baltimore with ice and snow, complicating travel plans for thousands. The storm, marking the first of the winter season, is expected to continue impacting major airports and highways, with significant delays anticipated for travelers in affected areas such as Boston and New York. Baltimore and Washington D.C. are bracing for additional snow and ice accumulation.
Meanwhile, on the West Coast, the remnants of a powerful storm that struck California on Monday left behind widespread damage. The storm, which brought hurricane-force winds, torrential rain, and towering surf, claimed the life of one person and caused structural damage, including the collapse of a pier. High waves, reaching up to 60 feet (18 meters), and ongoing flooding and surf warnings are expected to persist into Tuesday, prompting further evacuations.
Adding to the chaos, millions of air travelers faced further delays on Tuesday due to a technical glitch at American Airlines. Early in the day, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed a nationwide ground stop after a “vendor technology issue” halted flights. The ground stop was lifted after approximately an hour, but delays continued throughout the day, with some flights departing as much as two hours behind schedule.
American Airlines has since apologized for the inconvenience, assuring passengers that the airline’s teams were working to minimize disruptions and get travelers to their destinations as quickly as possible. While many flights were delayed in the morning, the airline indicated that most afternoon departures were expected to proceed on time.
As holiday travelers rush to reach family and loved ones, the combination of treacherous weather and technical failures has created a perfect storm of travel challenges.
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