Over 5,000 Flights Disrupted In U.S. As Americans Travel Home From Holiday Weekend
Thunderstorms in the Midwest delayed flights at Chicago-O'Hare International Airport. Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Travelers at Chicago-O'Hare faced the worst delays Sunday as thunderstorms moved across the region, with the Federal Aviation Administration estimating inbound flight delays could last more than an hour and 15 minutes.
Nearly 800 flights to and from O'Hare were delayed by 5 p.m. EDT on Sunday, according to FlightAware data.
Inbound flights to Reagan Washington International Airport were also delayed by an average of 40 minutes due to staffing shortages, the FAA said in an alert.
The rest of the weekend also saw considerable flight delays across the country, peaking at over 9,100 on the Fourth of July.
54,706. That's how many air travelers the United States saw on Thursday, June 26—the busiest air travel day of the year so far, the FAA reported last week. The agency also predicted busy air travel days for the entire extended holiday weekend, with an expected 51,000 flights on July 3, before Independence Day. The FAA said it was expecting roughly 47,966 flights on Sunday—meaning if these predictions are correct, over 10% of all flights on Sunday were delayed as of early evening.
The pace of flights being delayed accelerated throughout Sunday afternoon, according to FlightAware. Flight delays can compound later in the day due to planes not reaching their destinations on time earlier, which is often the case when there is widespread bad weather, with summertime being particularly notorious for the formation of thunderstorms that can disrupt air travel.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Thrill Geek
22 minutes ago
- Thrill Geek
Walt Disney World Announces 2025 Holiday Season Lineup: Parades, Foodie Fun, and Festive Magic
Get ready to jingle all the way through Walt Disney World Resort this year as the holidays return from November 14 through December 31, 2025, with more magic, more entertainment, and more treats than ever before. From Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney Jollywood Nights to the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays , every corner of the resort is getting a holly jolly makeover. Here's what you can look forward to this season: Magic Kingdom Park Step onto Main Street, U.S.A., and you're instantly transported into a nostalgic holiday postcard. The 'Frozen Holiday Surprise' transforms Cinderella Castle with help from Olaf, Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and 100+ snowgies. And debuting just ahead of the season is the new Disney Starlight parade, twinkling twice nightly (except during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party). The beloved Jingle Cruise returns too, complete with pun-laden narration and festive queue decorations courtesy of the Jungle Navigation Company crew. EPCOT Celebrate cultural traditions during the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth. Enjoy musical acts like JOYFUL! , hear festive stories from around the globe, and savor seasonal dishes from the returning Holiday Kitchens. Must-dos include the Candlelight Processional, the Holiday Cookie Stroll, Olaf's scavenger hunt, and the glowing transformation of Living with the Land. Disney's Hollywood Studios Enjoy vintage decor, meet characters in festive attire, and marvel at Sunset Seasons Greetings, which lights up the Hollywood Tower Hotel with scenes from The Muppets , Toy Story , Frozen , and Mickey's Christmas Carol . Also returning is Minnie's Holiday Dine , offering a character-filled meal with holiday favorites and sweet seasonal treats. Don't forget to say hello to Woody, Buzz, and Jessie in Toy Story Land—they'll be dressed in their holiday best. Disney's Animal Kingdom The Merry Menagerie returns to Discovery Island, featuring beautifully sculpted polar animal puppets that interact with guests throughout the day. After sunset, catch the Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition, a projection show set to a sweeping seasonal score. Mickey and Minnie will also be greeting guests in festive explorer outfits at Adventurers Outpost. Disney Springs Shoppers and foodies can bask in the glow of decorated Christmas trees during the Christmas Tree Stroll, then wind down with seasonal snacks, snowfall in Town Center, and themed eats and drinks at Jock Lindsey's Holiday Bar. Toy soldier stilt walkers, snowflake rollerbladers, and a holiday brass band round out the entertainment lineup. Resort Hotels & Holiday Offers Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels can enjoy over-the-top holiday decor, famous gingerbread displays, and festive food offerings. Plus, new special offers begin July 10 for travel between October 12 and December 25, including up to 20% off rooms and bonus dining credits. Bonus: Santa's Coming to Town Santa Claus will be making appearances across all four theme parks and Disney Springs through December 24, so get those wish lists ready! Whether you're planning your first holiday trip or making your annual return, there's no better place to celebrate the season than Walt Disney World. From snowflakes in Florida to sweets from around the world, it's time to start planning your winter getaway. For more Disney Parks holiday updates and theme park news year-round, follow ThrillGeek on all your favorite social channels. Janine is a theme park and pop culture nerd from an early age. Since 1994, she's been traversing the theme park world and has enjoyed all things from Halloween events to new ride releases and beyond. When she's not at a theme park, she's probably at a concert or doing something fun with her kiddo.
Condé Nast Traveler
33 minutes ago
- Condé Nast Traveler
TSA Plans to End Its Shoes-Off Policy
Soon, you might not have to take your shoes off at the airport. At several major airports across the country, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will allow passengers to cross through all security screening lanes without taking off their shoes, according to reporting from CBS News and The New York Times. Updates regarding the end of the shoes-off policy were first reported by the Gate Access Substack on July 4, but has not yet been officially confirmed by the TSA. However, reports suggest that the change appears to be a phased approach that will eventually roll out to all US airports. Baltimore/Washington International Airport, Fort Lauderdale International Airport, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, Portland International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, and Piedmont Triad International Airport in North Carolina, are expected to be among the first hubs to enact the change, two sources close to the matter shared with CBS. Various news sources have also confirmed that recent passengers at other airports not included on the list such as Los Angeles International Airport and New York City's LaGuardia Airport did not have to take off their shoes to pass through security in recent days. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to the news on X, writing that the retirement of the shoe removal policy nearly 20 years after its implementation was 'big news' from the Department of Homeland Security. The requirement for removing shoes originated in 2001, after Richard Reid, who later became known as the 'shoe bomber,' attempted to ignite explosives hidden in his shoes on a flight from Paris to Miami. The security measure was implemented five years later in 2006 due to 'intelligence pointing to a continuing threat' according to an official webpage on TSA history. As the shoe removal policy phases out, standard passengers will join travelers registered with TSA PreCheck who have long been able to keep their footwear on as they pass through security. In order to have PreCheck, applicants must submit an application which has an associated fee and undergo a background check. With security wait times often posing a major obstacle for time pressed travelers, the policy change may expedite standard security screenings—and the TSA's, 'shoes on, no service' rule may be another airport procedure of the past. Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is scheduled to speak on the new TSA screening security policy at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on July 8. Condé Nast Traveler has reached out to TSA for comment. This is a developing story and will be updated with more information.
Washington Post
38 minutes ago
- Washington Post
FACT FOCUS: No, weather modification did not cause the deadly flash floods in Texas
As authorities search for victims of the flash floods in Texas that killed more than 100 people over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, social media users are spreading false claims that the devastation was caused by weather modification. Many pointed to one process in particular, blaming cloud seeding performed on July 2 by a California-based company for the tragedy.
