Flight cancellations United

[Wolfepack88]

Folks we arrived in Hawaii on June 16th and within a few days of being here United cancelled the non-stop flights back to Newark in June and so far more in July. Then the storms on the east coast this week cancelled our return flight on the 27th and now we are hoping we can get out this coming Friday. At Oahu, United had one person in Premier line and oner person in economy to deal with hundreds of passengers. We were #2 in line and the family in front of us took 35 minutes to resolve their flight. The whole time we were on hold on our phone with united and the rep came on just as we got up to the agent who ultimately couldn't help us anyway as they couldn't get us back to Newark and the united rep on the phone found us the same flight this Friday. Now we are praying that doesn't get cancelled as united has been cancelling more and more flights. If you are coming to Hawaii from the New York area on United in the coming days or weeks you very well could end up with a stressful nightmare. It just takes one storm or one ground stop due to personnel shortages at ATC, the airline or whatever and the cascading effect is collateral damage everywhere. First world problems I know but one would never think being in Hawaii would be stressful but if you run out of your timeshare points and now have to find a hotel in one of the busiest places in the world you start getting stressed big time.

The whole airline system seems to still run on a razor thin edge and customer service goes right out the window. The scenes at airports for United at least around the country is a nightmare. Once he direct flights went away you then become subject to any screw up in your connecting flight. Think long and hard before coming this summer if you are coming from the NY area. Reading between the lines it seems ATC in the New York area is understaffed at least that's what the CEO at United seemed to be inferring in his email to united employees.

 

[slip]

Sounds like there were tons of flights all over the mainland that are canceled. Which of course would affect Hawaii flights. It sounds like a huge mess and it's not just United.

 

[alwysonvac]

Thanks for sharing your experience.
Sorry about the delays. I hope your flight is able to leave on Friday.

If your flight gets canceled again, you can reschedule your flight online at United.com (instead of in person or calling).

Other possible options
- stay overnight in a connecting city with cheaper overnight accommodations and multiple flights options
- try an alternate final airport and pickup a rental car to drive the rest of the way home


From https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/trip-planning/travel-alerts.html

 

[alwysonvac]

Yeah it looks like a mess

 

[1Kflyerguy]

Its a mess, we were supposed to fly back home from Newark Tuesday morning (June 27). Our flight was delayed 6 times, then finally canceled at 10pm. I spent 3 hours on hold with UA, and never reached an agent. I was able to rebook for Friday 6/30 afternoon via Atlanta.

There were thousands of people in line for customer service at the airport.

We have been staying at an airport hotel. I am hopeful we will get out as scheduled so we can get home tomorrow. Considering booking a backup flight out of ATL in case the United flight is late.

I guess the only positive is I am early lots of extra hotel points.. and did finially visit the Jersey Shore in my free time..