Long delays, cancellations hit Chicago airports amid second snowstorm

CHICAGO - More than 275 flights were canceled Monday at O’Hare International Airport, while Midway Airport reported only one cancellation.

That number could grow as snow continues to fall across the Chicago area.

What we know:

As flight cancellations in Chicago continue to rise, more than 1,100 delays had been reported at O'Hare as of 7 p.m. Monday. According to the FAA, a ground delay is in effect until 10:59 p.m. — with average delays of more than 80 minutes. 

Throughout the day, O’Hare topped FlightAware’s "Misery Map," logging more delays and cancellations than any other major airport in the nation — in front of Dallas-Fort Worth, Hartsfield-Jackson, and La Guardia airports, among others. 

Passengers said Sunday they waited up to two hours on board as crews de-iced planes. Others reported sitting on the tarmac after landing, waiting with dozens of aircraft for an open gate. Similar issues were experienced Monday. 

On Monday afternoon, FOX 32 spoke with a traveler from Virginia who has been stuck in Chicago since Sunday morning while trying to get to Fargo, North Dakota on business. 

"Our flight got delayed and it was saying we were supposed to get into Fargo around 4 p.m.. Then we got a delay after that, and it said 8 o'clock. Then after that it got canceled so unfortunately, we had to get a hotel," said traveler Alante Montgomery. 

On Monday morning, a rescheduled flight took a similar turn and was cancelled again.

"Our bags are in Fargo. We had to go shopping today. It's bad, man, it's just bad," Montgomery said. "We can't control what we can't control so just be patient."

Patience is something another passenger, Yegor Aleksandrov, is learning as a flight student in Florida.

"I understand the frustration of people getting back home, getting delayed, but at the same time, you can't really control it, it's just the weather, you kind of have to deal with it at that point," Aleksandrov said.

What they're saying:

Air Travel Tips:

• Pack essentials like a change of clothes and medications in your carry-on.
• Download the mobile app for your airline and keep notifications turned on.
• Prepare to pivot.

DePaul University Professor Joseph Schwieterman, whose expertise is in aviation, says airlines are trying to keep up after a hectic holiday travel weekend, but the domino effect of delays is leaving things up in the air. 

"O'Hare is already being pushed to the max in terms of gates. So those gates are highly used. You throw in a wrench into the equation here, and things can just drag on with several days of adjustments," Schwieterman said. 

He adds that most airlines are offering flexible travel and urges passengers to check with their specific airline for details. 

"They've learned they have to be as accommodating as possible with some of the meltdowns a couple years ago. I think here though, the scope of the problems is so severe that people are inevitably stuck. But they've been quite good about allowing alternative airports, allowing you to rebook, allowing you to cancel your trip altogether," Schwieterman said. "They're going the extra mile, but unfortunately, they're behind the eight ball here with just so many problems to deal with."

What's next:

Travelers heading to either airport are urged to closely monitor their flight status before leaving home. 

FlyChicago and FlightAware both track real-time delays and cancellations.