UPDATE: American Airlines has said that as of 7:58 a.m. Tuesday, it will resume its regular flights, according to spokesperson Ned Raynolds.
After a Christmas vacation in New York City with her daughters, Claire Palmer found herself stuck in Delta Airlines Terminal D at LaGuardia Airport.
“It was fun,” said Palmer, 52. “Until we got stranded.”
Palmer had been in the airport since 8 a.m. on Sunday, December 26, with her flight supposed to leave at 10:30 a.m. Now, she has to board a flight for Sarasota, Florida on Monday night, December 27 that will loop back to Atlanta.
Palmer said she would be staying in a hotel in Times Square in Manhattan.
Though it still remains to be seen if Palmer will make her dash to Florida. The Port Authority said that LaGuardia Airport was set to reopen at 4 a.m. Tuesday.
“It’s not so bad,” said Palmer. “I mean, it happens.”
Palmer had accommodations arranged at a local hotel, however, others had set up camp at the airport, unsure of their next destination.
Tian, who preferred his first name not be used, was visiting relatives in China and was headed back to his home in Washington D.C. New York City was simply his connecting point, but now, he would be spending at least one night here.
“Nobody can control the weather,” said Tian. “I have no choice… I have to wait here.”
Carol Sadousky and Clyde Ziegler from Cadillac, Michigan, had their Sunday morning flight cancelled and were scrambling to find a hotel for the evening. Sadousky said they had been staying in downtown Manhattan for five days for the holidays, having seen several plays.
“We’re just waiting around for another plane, now they’re not going to have another plane,” said Sadousky. “So it’s just been a hassle all day.”
They expected their flight would be leaving Monday night as well.
At a parking lot near Terminal D, the toll booth to exit was inaccessible because of the snow. A plow had to clear a path for exiting cars.
Like the airport roads, the highways were nearly disabled. Only a few vehicles dared to travel over 30 m.p.h., with poor visibility that became even worse as wind gusts flared up.
For updates on these airports and delay information, visit www.fly.faa.gov.
