More Than 5,000 US Flights Delayed, 200 Canceled on Christmas Eve

American Airlines planes are parked at gates at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) in Philadelphia on Dec. 13, 2024. Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images

Thousands of flights were disrupted on Christmas Eve, with American Airlines accounting for a bulk of the incidents.

On Tuesday, more than 5,400 flights within, into, or out of the United States were delayed, according to data from FlightAware. In addition, there were more than 200 flight cancellations. The disruptions continued on Christmas day with more than 750 flights being delayed and nearly 100 getting canceled as of 11:15 a.m. ET on Wednesday.

American Airlines was the most affected U.S. carrier on Tuesday, accounting for 1,064 delayed and 92 canceled flights. According to the company, it suffered a technical issue which forced it to ground all aircraft. The halt lasted for roughly one and a half hours.

Other U.S. carriers that registered a high number of delays and cancellations on Tuesday include Southwest, United, Delta, and JetBlue.

American Airlines continued to have flight issues on Wednesday. Out of the more than 850 cancellations and delays on Christmas day, 183 were linked to flights run by the company.

The flight disruptions occurred as a “record number of holiday travelers” are expected this year, according to a Dec. 11 forecast from the American Automobile Association (AAA).

The group estimates that “119.3 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home over the year-end holiday period” from Dec. 21 to Jan. 1.

The bulk of the individuals, 107 million, are expected to travel by road. Air travelers are estimated to rise from 7.5 million last season to 7.85 million this time around, an increase of 4.7 percent.

An analysis of booking data showed flights are 4 percent more expensive this holiday season compared to last year, AAA said. The average cost of a domestic ticket was found to be $830.

Debbie Haas, a vice president at the organization, said “travelers should expect the roads, airports, and cruise terminals to be more crowded than normal.”

“So, finalize your travel plans now and give yourself extra time to get to your destination. We also suggest travel insurance, which provides assistance in the event winter weather or something unexpected interferes with your plans.”

Gift Packaging Rules, Weather

According to data from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA), more than 2 million passengers traveled via air each day last week.

Gerardo Spero, federal security director of TSA Pennsylvania and Delaware, said the agency knows that “passengers will be traveling with gifts, and that’s okay,” according to a Dec. 10 statement.

“However, we strongly recommend that instead of wrapping gifts with paper and tape that the gifts be placed in gift bags or gift boxes with tissue paper. That way, if the item triggers an alarm, our officers can easily resolve the alarm without needing to unwrap the gift.”

Baked goods such as cakes, fruitcakes, cookies, brownies, and pies are allowed through checkpoints, according to the TSA. However, some foods such as maple syrup, eggnogs, champagne, and preserves must be packed in a checked bag, it said.

TSA recommended travelers to arrive at the airport at least two hours prior to their flight timing if they are flying domestically. For international flights, passengers should arrive at the terminal three hours early, it said.

Spero said the TSA was seeing “a lot of travelers arrive at our checkpoints with beverages and a variety of knives.” Items like “liquids, gels, aerosols, and spreadables are limited to 3.4 ounces in one clear quart-sized bag in carry-on bags.”

“Finish that bottle of water, energy drink, or cup of coffee before you get to the checkpoint. Pack the larger shampoo, toothpaste, sunblock, and hair gel in a checked bag. As for knives, if you must travel with a knife, please pack it in your checked bag,” he said.

Meanwhile, weather could affect travel plans in some areas.

The U.S. National Weather Service is predicting weather to run “near to above normal through the center of the U.S.,” according to a Dec. 25 X post. But on the East and West coasts, below-normal temperatures are expected, the agency said.

“A line of strong to severe thunderstorms, capable of large hail and possible damaging winds is expected to develop late this Christmas Eve across east-central Texas,” NWS said in another X post.