Winter Weather & Holiday Rush Affecting Travel Times
MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Depending who you ask it's a pretty standard holiday travel weekend at Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport. Still, a massive winter storm affecting 35 states combined with a holiday rush is causing delays and cancellations.
A traveler said, "Were going to the North Pole."
Even if your destination is the North Pole you'll want to check your flight. There are more than 5.5 million people traveling this holiday season. Just on Sunday, at least 921 cancelled flights in the U.S. with another 8,700 delayed.
"We got stuck in Boston for 6 hours because of engine troubles and somehow the flight got stuck in 2 inches of snow. It had to get towed back," said a traveler who identified himself as "Chris."
The sunny South Florida flight schedule-- affected by heavy snow, flash floods and ice storms is plaguing the U.S. coast to coast.
Carissa Paiz said, "We are still trying to figure out what's going on. We had to split our group up in two different flights on two different airlines."
This group is stuck at MIA after a mission trip-- and is ready to get back home to Michigan.
"We'll we were in San Jose and the arrival flight came in late, very late so we got on the flight came here and we missed our flight and we we're running through the airport ," said Paiz.
Delays and cancellations out of Miami and Fort Lauderdale to and from Detroit, Boston, Baltimore, Chicago, New York and even South America.
There are more delays at FLL than MIA. Departures are about 5 minutes late, arrivals 15 minutes or less.
In the terminals, families waited patiently for loved ones.
Dennis Croby and his wife said they are eager to see their daughter.
"Oh yes. She's in college so we don't see her all that much. I'm very excited," said Croby.
The wait and troubles suddenly becomes worth it
Ansay Debaet said, "Very excited especially because I get to see my baby."
As always, make sure to check your flight times.
According to AAA, year-end holiday travel has increased for the 5th straight year to a little more than 95-million travelers.
