Thousands of passengers had to spend Christmas at San Diego International Airport (SAN) this year as dozens of flights were canceled and passengers struggled to get rerouted. Over the past several days, hundreds of flights were delayed at the airport, with many being canceled. The primary cause for the flight disruptions has been inclement weather. While the region has faced too many delays due to weather, many services have also been disrupted due to poor weather at destination airports.

Christmas in the terminal

Thousands of flights have been canceled across the US over the past few days, just as passengers attempt to travel to see family for the holidays. While passengers were forced to spend their Christmas in airports across the country due to inclement weather, thousands had to spend their Christmas at SAN due to poor management.

Winter weather conditions have affected hundreds of outbound flights from SAN causing delays and cancelations. However, flight disruptions from around the country have created a domino effect making it difficult for travelers across the country regardless of local weather.

The majority of passengers stranded at SAN were flying with Southwest Airlines. As the airline's flight schedules have been disrupted across the country, a ripple effect has formed, leading to thousands of additional delays. Southwest, like many airlines, is overwhelmed in every department due to the ongoing chaos.

Overloaded systems and understaffed operations have caused many passengers at SAN to become stranded. They cannot be rerouted or get a hotel simply because they cannot contact someone who can help them.

Southwest Airlines has assured the public that it is working vigorously to reschedule and accommodate passengers. Many passengers have been able to board connecting flights to reach their final destinations, while others remain stranded at SAN.

Some passengers have even chosen to take rental cars, drive to their final destinations, and undergo the reimbursement process once the dust settles. Others have chosen to undergo a combination of the aforementioned options by taking another flight to an airport near their destinations and using alternative means of transportation from there to reach their destination.

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Winter storm

Winter storms have ravaged the air transit industry across the US over the past several days. The largest of these storms has been Winter Storm Elliot. The storm has affected over two-thirds of the contiguous US. Notably, the Midwest and Pacific Northwest have been hit particularly hard this past week. Travel by air and ground transportation services has been disrupted due to winter weather, which has created a hazardous environment for travelers looking to travel to, from, or through the Midwest.

The Pacific Northwest has also been severely affected by winter storms. The Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Portland International Airport (PDX), along with several smaller airports in the region, have seen thousands of flight delays and cancelations due to winter weather. These airports have seen flight operations disrupted, mainly due to freezing rain, which creates an extreme hazard for all aircraft requiring diligent ice removal efforts from ground crew to ensure the safety of flight operations.

Storms have been the direct cause of thousands of delays and cancelations at SAN over the past few days. However, delays across the country have also created a domino effect severely hampering flight operations, particularly for Southwest Airlines. Hopefully, the passengers who remain stranded at SAN and airports across the country will soon be able to return home safely.

What do you think of these passengers being stranded at SAN over Christmas? Let us know in the comments below.

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  Southwest Airlines

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  WN/SWA

  Airline Type:

  Low-Cost Carrier

  Hub(s):

  Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Dallas Love Field, Denver International Airport, Harry Reid International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Houston Hobby Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Midway International Airport, Oakland International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

  Year Founded:

  1967

  CEO:

  Robert Jordan

  Country:

  United States