Cancellations, delays continue at Atlanta airport; earlier arrival time recommended

ATLANTA - FOX 5 Atlanta met a lot of people at the Atlanta airport Saturday who said they were supposed to get in the day before.

"I was stuck in Chicago," said Chantal Ramont. "For 24 hours, I slept overnight in the airport."

Hers was one of the more than 1,500 flights canceled Friday due to the snow and ice shutting down the airport’s runways several times. 

"I didn't sleep in the hotel, actually. I slept in the airport, and I was not the only one," she said. "A lot of people [were] there because it's so expensive. It was about $200 for a hotel."

Now, she’s just relieved to be back home.

So is Clark Atlanta University student Kaden Lymon. She was supposed to fly in Friday from Baltimore.

"We got up. We were ready to go, and it ended up getting canceled. The snow just wasn't on our side. We actually had a flight today for 2:55 p.m. That one got pushed back another hour. So, it was crazy," Lymon said. 

Travelers who came to Hartsfield-Jackson Saturday morning encountered extremely long lines for security.

The North TSA checkpoint was closed, so everyone had to go to the main checkpoint.

The line stretched throughout the domestic terminal, and some travelers reported waiting three hours or more. 

According to a TSA spokesperson, they had "higher than average" staff callouts on Saturday, which left them shorthanded when canceled and delayed flights from Friday were coming in Saturday morning.

But, by early Saturday evening, things had calmed down and wait times were back to normal.

That was a relief for people like Barbara King, who was picking up her son from a college trip and worried Friday’s snow could impact his flight. 

"I was so worried I monitored it overnight, but I was so grateful that he was able to catch his flight on time and make it back," King said.  

A TSA spokesperson told FOX 5 they’re trying to "overstaff" the airport for Sunday morning in preparation for another influx of delayed or canceled flights. 

But, they’re now urging anyone coming to the airport Sunday to arrive at least three hours early for their flight. 

We also reached out to the Hartsfield-Jackson staff about the delays, and they sent us this statement in response: 

"Returning to normal operations after Friday’s storm will create delays for passengers. We remind our customers to arrive in the airport at least two-and-a-half hours prior to domestic departure; longer if suggested by their airlines. We also ask passengers to monitor their airline’s social media and apps for updated information."

Atlanta airport flight delays, cancellations timeline

11:30 P.M. UPDATE

Delays: 950

Cancellations: 360

8 P.M. UPDATE

Delays: 874

Cancellations: 357

3:30 P.M. UPDATE

The total number of delays for the airport has risen to 719, with Delta Air Lines accounting for 519 of them. The number of cancellations is up to 347, with 275 of them coming from Delta, according to FlightAware.

Delta Air Lines has also announced the following changes:

• There is a minor and unaccompanied minor embargo in place for Atlanta through Monday.
• Delta will waive checked bag fees through 11:59 p.m. Saturday.
• Customers who prepaid for a bag between Jan. 10 and Jan. 11 will be refunded.
• A travel waiver for certain cities in the southeast, including Atlanta, will remain in effect on Saturday.
• Learn more about the changes here.

11:30 A.M. UPDATE

The numbers of cancellations and delays continue to increase at the world's busiest airport – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. As of 11:30 a.m., 337 flights have been canceled and 444 flights have been delayed. Check the numbers here. 

10:10 A.M. UPDATE

There has been a slight increase in the number of cancellations since earlier this morning. 325 flights have now been canceled and 284 flights have been delayed. Delta Airlines has 255 canceled flights and 200 delayed flights at this time. 

One passenger at the Atlanta airport reached out to FOX 5 Atlanta and said they waited in the checkpoint line for 3 hours early this morning. They also told FOX 5 Atlanta that there were only 3 TSA windows open. Passengers can view security wait times by clicking here. 

8:45 A.M. UPDATE

A ground delay is currently impacting two runways at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta until 11:59 a.m., according to the FAA. At this time, 322 flights have been canceled for Saturday and 180 have been delayed. 

7 A.M. UPDATE

Flight disruptions at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport have worsened slightly, with the latest updates showing 57 flight delays and approximately 314 cancellations as of 7 a.m., according to FlightAware. Passengers traveling through the world’s busiest airport are experiencing significant wait times just to reach the main security checkpoint.

Lines stretch long, with ropes set up to manage the crowds and two primary queues leading to security. Many travelers are spending additional time waiting to clear security, adding to the frustration caused by cancellations and delays. Airport staff are actively assisting passengers in navigating the situation, but the volume of travelers remains high.

For those with early flights, it’s strongly recommended to arrive well ahead of schedule. "The last thing you want is to miss your flight after already dealing with travel delays," one airport representative advised.

Passengers affected by cancellations shared their struggles, with one Atlanta-based traveler describing their overnight journey back to the city as "an all-night affair." Despite the challenges, they expressed understanding, saying, "Safety first. If they can’t land us properly or if the traffic is too busy in the airport, it’s understandable. But it was a lot."

As the airport works to manage the situation, passengers are encouraged to pack their patience and allow ample time for both check-in and security. For those traveling today, arriving early could mean the difference between making it to your destination or facing even more delays.

5:30 A.M. UPDATE

As of 5:30 a.m. Saturday, flight operations at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport show improvement after a tumultuous day on Friday that left thousands stranded. However, hundreds of flights have already been canceled and that number could increase. 

According to FlightAware, 311 flights have been canceled so far, with 45 reported delays. Delta Air Lines, Atlanta's hometown carrier, accounts for 244 of these cancellations—about 19% of its scheduled flights for the day.

RELATED: Winter Storm Warning for Atlanta, North Georgia: Waking up to icy, slushy roadways; wind on the way

Friday's weather-related disruptions snowballed into widespread cancellations, forcing Delta to ground over 1,400 flights and leaving hundreds of passengers stranded overnight. 

PREVIOUS: Delays at Atlanta airport: Winter storm grounds more than 1,400 flights on Friday

Travelers described the situation as chaotic, with many spending the night in the airport's terminal. Apparently, around 200 people slept on the second floor of the airport while awaiting updates on their flights. Volunteers stayed on-site to provide assistance to those impacted.

Frustrated passengers were seen trying to rest in waiting areas, with luggage in tow. One traveler expressed understanding of the delays caused by weather, prioritizing safety over convenience: "If they can’t land us properly or the traffic is too busy in the airport, it’s understandable. But it’s been a lot."

While operations appear to be stabilizing, the situation remains challenging for many travelers. Delta has urged passengers to monitor their flight status closely and stay updated on possible changes.

The world’s busiest airport is slowly recovering, but passengers are advised to expect disruptions throughout the day. Stay tuned for further updates.

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