Negotiating Newark Airport: A Guide Through Delays and Outages
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Catching another halt in Newark Liberty International left passengers swamped with renewed cancellations and agonizing delays at this New Jersey airport on Sunday. The recent turmoil comes after a series of communication snags and team shortages, plaguing the facility for weeks.
Despite a decrease in crowd numbers compared to last week's inundation of stranded travelers, interruptions on both Friday and Sunday persisted, leaving passengers struggling with lingering aftereffects.
Akash Gupta's plans took a drastic turn on Saturday, as his flight to Indianapolis was postponed by six hours. He whiled away the time connecting with his wife over a video call and scribbling patterns on a piece of paper.
"I'm cool with flying, but I've never experienced such delays before," Gupta confided to NBC News.
So, your flight is delayed. Now what?
The initial course of action for delayed passengers is to search for alternative flights, suggests Sean Cudahy, a senior aviation reporter for The Points Guy. In his advice, he urges travelers not to be too picky while seeking alternatives, as a halfway decent option could be snatched quickly.
"If a decent option pops up, nab it, book it, and often, the airline will let you continue making adjustments," Cudahy recommends.
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To connect with your airline for rebooking or to explore options, Cox recommends using their mobile apps or live chat functions, which tend to be more efficient than standing in long customer service lines. NBC News aviation analyst John Cox praises the flight-tracking app Flighty for real-time updates.
Cox stresses that frequent flyers can leverage their status to request assistance from dedicated agents who specialize in rebooking.
"From a traveler's standpoint, determine what you want," Cox advises. "Speak politely, remain amiable, yet know that you need to sort out your predicament and allow the agent to attend to other passengers afterward."
Last year, the Department of Transportation mandated that airlines must grant rapid cash refunds to passengers with canceled or severely delayed flights. However, these refunds are applicable only when the passenger opts for a different airline or an alternative mode of transportation, not when they accept a rebooking with the original airline.
Before heading out, travelers should scrutinize the airline's rebooking and refund policies to ensure they're well-informed. According to a spokesperson for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the Newark airport, "We initially planned to arrive at United today, but it was canceled approximately five or six days ago, and they did refund our money."
While waiting out a delay in Newark, travelers can make the most of their time with several options available. Each terminal features seating areas for passengers before and after their TSA screening.
Cox advises arriving early to secure a comfortable spot, grab a bite, and journey on with understanding that others may require the same amenities. In a stressful environment, Cox advises exercising caution when consuming alcohol.
Making smart decisions for upcoming flights
Travelers with flights scheduled for Newark in the near future can take proactive measures to manage their travel plans.
One of the hardest-hit carriers at Newark, United Airlines, is offering fee waivers for rescheduling or changes in fares until May 23, providing the flexibility to fly out of New York City's LaGuardia Airport or Philadelphia instead. Cudahy cautions that other airports will offer fewer flight choices than United's Newark hub.
Alaska Airlines and JetBlue have relaxed travel policies, covering the original travel dates through Sunday and to the end of May, respectively.
In preparation for a delay, Cox suggests keeping necessary medication, a change of clothes, and essential toiletries packed in a carry-on bag in case luggage becomes disrupted and ends up in an alternative location.
Cudahy also recommends carrying additional batteries, portable chargers, a refillable water bottle, and games or entertainment if traveling with children under the age of 12.
The experts also remind travelers to abide by the 3-1-1 rule for smooth passage through security: 3.4-ounce liquid containers in one clear quart-sized bag, with a single bag per passenger.
Keeping proper documentation on hand, especially with new REAL ID requirements, will streamline the security process. Furthermore, having a credit card that includes travel insurance offers coverage for costs arising from travel disruptions, such as meals or accommodations.
While airlines like United offer insurance, it typically doesn't cover circumstances beyond their control, like weather or traffic control snags. Cudahy suggests comparing costs among third-party travel insurers for comprehensive coverage.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has stated on NBC News' "Meet the Press" that Newark is experiencing telecom issues and software glitches, but should "recover shortly." United CEO Scott Kirby has openly advocated for "reduced capacity" in the short term.
For passengers planning to travel through Newark, Cudahy suggests opting for direct flights.
"If your flight is direct, you stand a better chance of reaching your destination as long as the flight doesn't get canceled," Cudahy explains.
Cudahy advocates purchasing a credit card with travel insurance to cover plane ticket costs. In the event of delays or cancellations, travelers can be reimbursed for expenses like food and lodging.
Duffy affirmed to NBC News that travel remains safe through Newark - and in U.S. airspace, in general - with established protocols in place to address such incidents. However, Duffy expresses concerns about the outdated technology and systems currently in use.
The latest aviation troubles have prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to announce a three-year plan to modernize the system.
"We're seeing the pressure on an antiquated network, and it's time to revamp it," Duffy noted.
- To find alternative flights, travelers can refer to the advice of aviation reporter Sean Cudahy, who suggests booking the decent options quickly as they might be taken promptly by others.
- John Cox, an NBC News aviation analyst, recommends using mobile apps or live chat functions to connect with the airline for rebooking or to explore options, noting these methods as more efficient than standing in long customer service lines.
- Cox also appreciates the flight-tracking app Flighty for real-time updates, and advises frequent flyers to utilize their status to request assistance from dedicated agents for rebooking.
- The Department of Transportation has mandated that airlines must grant rapid cash refunds to passengers with canceled or severely delayed flights, but only when the passenger opts for a different airline or an alternative mode of transportation, not when they accept a rebooking with the original airline.
- In the event of flight delays, it's important for passengers to double-check the airline's rebooking and refund policies for full transparency before heading out, and to consider purchasing a credit card with travel insurance for coverage of costs arising from travel disruptions, such as meals or accommodations. The FAA's three-year plan aims to modernize the outdated aviation technology and systems currently in use.
