ORLANDO, Fla. — After canceling 15 thousand flights nationwide this holiday season, Southwest Airlines is working to get back on track. Airline officials said they would return to normal operations today – but we’re still seeing cancellations in orlando… and Southwest has the most.
On Friday morning, the lines are moving with a mixture of relief and frustration for people who have been stuck in Orlando without a flight to get them home or connect them to where they’re headed. More than 560 Southwest flights have been canceled at Orlando International Airport since Christmas day.
The day after Christmas saw the most, with 158 Southwest flights canceled, according to the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.
Today, GOAA reports the outlook is much better, with only seven canceled Southwest flights.For one family who was supposed to be delayed for three days, they discovered that delay went down to one day when they saw flights were becoming available for home.
“I was a little stressed out because I was supposed to be at work Saturday, but I got it worked out,” said Brianna Jackson of Pittsburgh on Friday. “I was at Orlando parks, I was on hold with Southwest for about two and a half hours. Finally got through, there was nothing available until Sunday this coming Sunday but then that night I got online and was able to reschedule for tomorrow but yesterday this flight became available."
Passengers from all walks of life lined up, anticipating the ticket counters and baggage checks opening early Friday morning.
Some had to wait a short period of time with the delay and simply extended their vacation to Disney World. While others were getting held back for days and kept from enjoying their final destination elsewhere.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the state, travel conditions are slowly returning to normal at the Southwest Airlines counter at Tampa International Airport.
The departure board showed no delays or cancellations early Friday and the mountain of luggage at the baggage carousel is all but gone.
And the few early-morning travelers are moving smoothly to their planes.
Southwest Airline officials said things are supposed to get back to normal for them on Friday, after pilots and attendants got stuck in winter weather as flights were canceled or delayed.
"We plan to return to normal operations with minimal disruptions on Friday, Dec. 30," the company said in a statement on Thursday.
On Thursday, there were still 2,300-plus cancellations for the airline, more than half its entire schedule.
Company officials have put out an apology, saying they are working to fix the issues, which includes getting a website up for rebooking and refunds.