PHL passengers start renting cars after weather delays, cancels flights
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- If you're flying out of Philadelphia International Airport on Tuesday, be sure to check your flight -- there are lots of cancellations and delays due to Monday night's weather. And Tuesday is a NEXT Weather Alert day with more storms coming this afternoon.
The delays and cancellations have caused a headache for lots of passengers, and after hours of waiting, some had enough. The line at the AVIS rental car center was extending outside the building with passengers waiting for cars.
Zachery Peacock was aboard a plane headed home to Miami Monday night when the pilot had to return back to the terminal due to lightning in the area.
"Experiencing the hope and anticipation of preparing to take off," Peacock said, "unfortunately, the captain came over the intercom and said the flight has been delayed for reasons of the weather."
He said the flight sat on the tarmac for an hour and a half to two hours before returning to the airport. Then he and his wife tried to book a hotel near the airport, but all the hotels they reached out to were full.
The line at the AVIS rental car business was long and Peacock and his wife have been waiting.
"We're still here trying to rent a car so we can drive back to Miami," Peacock said. "This city which is known for Brotherly Love, unfortunately, the love of Philadelphia is there but the weather's not treating us well."
According to the travel website Flight Aware, more than 60 flights were canceled both into and out of Philadelphia International Airport within the last 24 hours.
AAA Mid-Atlantic likens delays and cancellations like what we're seeing Tuesday to a winter storm. A spokesperson suggests not only checking the weather in Philadelphia but also at your destination.
Weather is impacting departures at #PHLAirport. Please check with your airline for flight status updates. pic.twitter.com/XNC6eVNO1T
— PHLAirport (@PHLAirport) June 27, 2023
"if your flight is canceled or delayed, due to weather," AAA Mid-Atlantic's Jana Tidwell said, "there's not much that the airlines are responsible for doing for you. It is an extraordinary circumstance. Weather is typically not covered in terms of flight, refunds, waivers, fees, those kinds of things."
So, what can you do if your flight gets delayed or canceled?
AAA Mid-Atlantic says to take the rebooked flight. Often you don't have to stand at the ticket counter to make those changes, it can be done on the airline's app.