Well, it’s official — spring break crowds are here.
We warn you about likely dates that will bring crowds to the Disney World parks each year, but it’s hard to tell what they’re really going to be like until you’re in the moment. However, spring break crowds aren’t just affecting the parks — it’s also affecting air travel as well.
According to data from Flight Aware, on March 9th, 2024 at around 10:00 AM, there were already 218 Southwest flights delayed at MCO Airport. That’s 60% of their flights!
Overall, there were a total of 346 delays at Orlando International Airport on March 9th when combining all the airlines. So if you’re traveling today…how are you doing?
We knew crowds at MCO would be wild this time of year, but this is something else. Interestingly, this SAME THING happened in March 2023 at the airport too! In 2023, the delays were due to the airspace being very busy. This year, Southwest has just announced via 13WTHR that “Thunderstorms in the Southeast are impacting our operation, and we apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate our Customers’ patience while we work to get them safely to their destinations.”
Operational Update: We're currently experiencing departure delays, average of 30 minutes, due to a Traffic Management Initiative with the @FAANews (airspace in the area is busy). For airport status update, please visit: https://t.co/vm0yMYHkcv.
— Orlando International Airport (@MCO) March 6, 2023
Bottom line, if you’re traveling this time of year, expect delays ahead of time so you’re not caught off guard. No matter what airport you’re flying in/out of, be sure you’re at the airport and through security in plenty of time before your flight is scheduled to take off.
We’re always here to bring you the latest travel news, so stay tuned to AllEars!
I have social anxiety, and I avoid this airline at ALL costs
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What’s the longest flight delay you’ve ever had? Tell us in the comments!
My original flight from Baltimore on 3/9/24 was cancelled from a 5:20pm flight to we finally boarded at 10:30pm. We sat at the gate for three hours waiting for a co-pilot to board the plane. when we arrived at Orlando on 2/10/24, we sat another 3 hours waiting to get to our gate so we could get off the plane. I believe that Southwest should pay for my hotel room that we were suppose to check into on 3/09/24 but we arrived 30 minutes before check out on 3/10/24. Will I fly Southwest again, probably not. We weren’t allowed to walk around and got yelled at if we had to used the bathrooms. I have a disability that was effected by sitting in a seat for 10 hours.
Stuck in Orlando on Sunday. My original 6pm flight was cancelled at 230 and their best is to re-book me on a 420pm flight 2 DAYS LATER. My hubby had to scramble to try and find me a flight on Monday morning. No help from Southwest-no hotel, so I’m camped out at MCO praying Spirit doesn’t cancel that flight as well.
Stuck in ATL. Delta flight can’t leave due to delays at MCO. Initially scheduled to depart at 12:35, then 1:45, then 3, and now 3:35. Hoping for no further delays.