The weather is doing more than just cramping our spring style. Today, Tuesday, March 17th, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the busiest airport in the world, is having to cancel and delay flights left and right. Keep scrolling to learn more about the delays and cancellations.
How many flights have been delayed within/into/out of Hartsfield-Jackson?
Currently (as of 10am on Tuesday, March 17th), FlightAware reports 271 delayed flights. More delays are expected. You can see more delays on the Misery Map, provided by FlightAware.
Cancellations are almost as high, with a reported 201 cancelled flights into, out of, and within Hartsfield-Jackson.
This is, of course, on top of last night’s ground stop which expired at 10 p.m. on Monday, March 16th, delaying and cancelling dozens more flights.
Why are there so many delays and cancellations?
According to Atlanta New First,
Testing the patience of Atlanta travelers has been inclement weather and a partial government shutdown impacting FAA staffing and TSA wait lines.
What should I do?
First of all, you can check in on TSA security wait times on their website, here. As of 10am on Tuesday morning, the Domestic Main TSA Checkpoint has a wait time of almost an hour and a half. The International Main TSA Checkpoint’s wait time is longer by about ten minutes.
In other words, arrive early, so you don’t have to worry while you inevitably wait in line. Usual recommendations are to get to the airport 2 hours early. We are hearing now that today’s recommendation is 3 hours early, to ensure enough time to get through security and get to your gate.
If you’re flying out of ATL today, best of luck, y’all.