What to Do if Your Flight Plans Include America’s Most Problematic Airport
Airline waivers, refunds, and tracking apps are all helping travelers avoid Newark Liberty International—or at least know what they’re in for
Peak summer travel is nearly here, and one of the nation’s busiest airports remains the epicenter of flight disruptions. Since late April, passengers flying in and out of Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) have faced a maze of delays and cancellations. Technical glitches and air traffic staffing shortages have been the biggest culprits, although the closure of a runway for construction hasn’t helped matters either. Now, the F.A.A. has issued a slate of new, temporary restrictions on flights in and out of EWR, with a cap of 28 departures and 28 arrivals per hour until June 15, and every weekend from September through December.
That begs the question: Should you still fly in or out of Newark this summer? “My mantra for Newark is the same as my mantra for any air travel woes: Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst,” said Kyle Potter, a travel expert at Thrifty Traveler. “Tomorrow is anyone’s guess. These problems won’t disappear overnight.”
In the past month alone, Newark has experienced three equipment failures, including an outage on May 11 that lasted nearly 45 minutes. During two other telecommunications breakdowns, on April 28 and May 9, air traffic controllers lost contact with planes that were preparing to land. Reduced staffing has exacerbated the issues. Airspace at Newark has a targeted staffing level of 38 certified controllers; however, only 24 are currently in place.
For travelers already booked through Newark, some U.S. airlines are offering waivers, allowing you to make a change without a fee. United Airlines, for instance, which has a hub at Newark and operates 70 percent of the airport’s flights, is allowing passengers to switch flights at no extra cost. Waivers are also in place at JetBlue Airways, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines. In most cases, customers can utilize nearby airports, including John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). Haven’t booked a flight yet? Try to avoid Newark, if you can help it.
“My mantra for Newark is the same as my mantra for any air travel woes: Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.”
Experts say it’s important to monitor your flight status, which can help you decide whether to fly through Newark or not. “If there’s a bunch of disruptions today, it’s a sign they could extend into tomorrow, giving you a head start to adjust your flight plans before it’s too late,” Potter said. Additionally, Potter recommends third-party flight tracking services, like Flighty or FlightAware, which can be invaluable for by-the-minute changes, delays, and disruptions (often before even the airline sends out an alert).
Jasmine Chong, a New York City-based fashion designer, considered changing her recent Tokyo to Newark flight with United’s waiver. However, she ultimately kept her original itinerary. “I monitored the same Untied flight number for a few days before my departure, and it arrived in Newark with no delays, so I figured I’d be fine,” Chong said.
In the event of a delay or cancellation, the airline’s app is often the fastest path to rebooking another flight. So, be sure to download the airline’s app and sign up for text or email notifications. And if your Newark flight does end up being cancelled and you can’t fly, airlines are now required to provide travelers with immediate cash refunds—thanks to new rules from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
Not only have the events at Newark wreaked havoc on flight schedules, but they have also rattled some travelers’ nerves. Earlier this month, in an email, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby attempted to reassure customers. “Every United pilot is trained for a wide range of potential issues, including radar or communications outages,” Kirby said. Newark’s air traffic challenges come mere months after the Jan. 29 midair collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet near Washington-National Airport (DCA). Both aircraft plunged into the Potomac River, killing 67 people.
Looking ahead, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that it plans to cut more flights at Newark, after meeting with major U.S. airlines. "The airport clearly is unable to handle the current level of scheduled operations," the FAA expressed in a statement. The final number of Newark arrivals and departures will be announced on or after May 28, to “reduce overscheduling, flight delays, and cancellations to an acceptable level." United Airlines, for its part, has already cut 35 round-trip flights per day. “If your flight isn’t eligible for a free change yet, it could be soon,” Potter noted.