by Orlando, Florida – Holiday travel plans unraveled for thousands of passengers Friday night as widespread flight delays and cancellations hit airports across the country, with Orlando International Airport among the hardest affected.
Airport departure and arrival boards glowed red late into the evening, signaling disruptions rather than seasonal cheer. According to flight-tracking service FlightAware, nearly 600 flights were delayed in and out of Orlando International Airport by 11 p.m. Friday, accounting for about 40 percent of the airport’s scheduled flights. At least 69 flights were canceled.
What Caused the Travel Disruptions
Airport officials said the delays were largely due to a ripple effect from Winter Storm Devin in the Northeast, combined with heavy rain impacting parts of the western United States. Weather-related disruptions in major hub airports caused cascading delays nationwide, affecting connecting flights well beyond the storm zones.
The timing worsened the impact, as many travelers were either heading home after Christmas or attempting to start long-planned post-holiday vacations.
Passengers Stranded Overnight
By Friday night, dozens of travelers had settled in for the night inside the terminal. Families with young children slept on airport benches and sofas as flights continued to be pushed back.
Nearby hotel availability quickly disappeared. Even the Hyatt Regency located inside the airport atrium was fully booked, forcing passengers to scramble for last-minute accommodations or remain overnight at the terminal.
Travelers Describe Frustration and Anxiety
Passengers described a stressful night of constant updates, missed connections, and long waits for assistance.
“I’m very anxious because I’m ready to get home,” said Awmia Riggs, who said her delay kept increasing. At the time she spoke, her flight had already been pushed back by two hours.
Others faced more complicated challenges. Angela Montes, traveling with her family of five, said their flight delay caused them to miss a connecting flight entirely.
“They’re trying to see if they can accommodate us with a room or something for my children,” Montes said. “They want us to wait at an airport for more than 15 hours.”
She added that the holiday magic had clearly faded, calling the experience “definitely not magical now.”
Last-Minute Rebooking and Extra Costs
For many families, the delays translated into unexpected expenses and difficult decisions. Chrissy Polans said her family’s flight out of Tampa was canceled Friday morning, while her brother’s flight from New York was also grounded.
“Everybody had to scramble,” Polans said.
Instead of enjoying a long-anticipated beach vacation, her family spent the evening rebooking flights out of Orlando and paying for a nearby hotel stay.
Airport Advice for Travelers
Despite the widespread delays, TSA security lines remained relatively short Friday night. Airport officials urged passengers to stay proactive and prepared as disruptions continue.
Travelers are advised to
arrive at airline ticket counters three hours before departure
reach TSA checkpoints at least two hours before flights
monitor airline apps frequently for real-time updates
Checking flight status before leaving for the airport remains critical, especially as weather systems continue to affect national air traffic.
Conclusion
As winter weather continues to disrupt major travel corridors, Orlando International Airport passengers faced a difficult end to the holiday week. With hundreds of delays, dozens of cancellations, and limited hotel availability, many travelers were forced to adapt quickly, spending extra money and time just to reach their destinations.
Airlines and airport officials continue to monitor conditions, but travelers are encouraged to remain flexible and stay informed as weather-related disruptions persist.
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