“Incredibly frustrating” airline delays cause summer travel nightmares

Summer travel nightmares continue, with more than 19,000 flights delayed and nearly 3,000 more canceled This summer, U.S. airlines have delayed nearly a quarter of their flights, according to FlightAware. The average delay was about an hour.

Bad weather combined with airline and air traffic control crews made Paul Thompson’s trip from Los Angeles to New York a three-day walk.

“It’s incredibly frustrating. I mean, you can’t count on anything,” Thompson said.

In New York, Joby Palatincal, his wife and son are stuck trying to get to Tampa.

“Another hour late, another hour late.” “And today, the same thing is happening again.”

The cancellations in Denver came as airlines freed up beds for stranded flyers.

An Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle to San Diego suffered a separate disruption Monday morning when its engine cover came off. No one was injured.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told CBS News that he thinks airlines should be held to a higher standard, saying “we’re still seeing too many delays and cancellations.”

Buy it He sent a letter. Last week, airlines said their performance was unacceptable, saying they had cut flights and increased hiring in an attempt to maintain momentum.

“It doesn’t take as much time for someone to get into a call center as it does to get into a cockpit,” Buttigieg said. “We have to make sure that Passengers have a clear understanding of their rights.

The Transportation Department plans to launch a website in the coming days that will make it clear what accommodations each U.S. airline offers for delays and cancellations. The department is finalizing new regulations requiring refunds for long delays or significant schedule changes.