South Florida’s airports are feeling the ripple effects of an unusual winter chill as flight delays and cancellations continue to pile up — even under skies clear of snow — following a historic cold snap that has strained airline operations and frustrated travelers.
At Miami International Airport (MIA) and Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL), officials reported dozens of delayed and canceled departures Sunday as record-low temperatures impacted ground operations and bag handling.
According to Miami International officials, the airport logged 115 flight delays and 22 cancellations, while Fort Lauderdale saw 86 delays and 39 cancellations on Sunday. Airport administrators also warned that cold temperatures have slowed baggage processing, contributing to longer lines and logistical challenges for passengers.
Travelers Describe Chaos
Travelers at MIA described long lines, confusion over rebooked flights, and anxiety about reaching their destinations. One passenger, Desiree Cedgwick, traveling to Salt Lake City with her family, told CBS Miami that the experience felt like déjà vu.
“Our flight got canceled from Phoenix to Charlotte… We finally made it to Charlotte a day later. Had to get on the cruise that day. We sat on the tarmac for four hours, missed our cruise by three minutes,” Cedgwick said. “It’s a big mess.”
Another traveler, Marybel Ellen Killburn, who was headed home to Tennessee, said her family arrived at the airport hours early to try to stay ahead of delays.
“We knew it was going to be impacted, so we went to Joe Stone Crab — an iconic meal. We just got here and we’re going with the flow,” Killburn told CBS Miami.
Officials confirmed that even flights listed as “on time” have suffered delays as airlines and airport workers catch up from a backlog of disruptions caused by the unusual weather pattern.
Unusual Weather, Disproportionate Impact
Though South Florida typically enjoys warm winter weather, the region dipped into uncharacteristic cold as a winter storm pushed frigid air unusually far south. Miami recorded its lowest temperature in more than a decade, matching 35 degrees — the coldest reading since 2010 — while Fort Lauderdale experienced similar lows.
The extreme chill, coupled with broader air travel disruptions across the U.S., has made recovery difficult for airlines and travelers alike. Flights out of South Florida often depend on aircraft and crews moving through major hubs in colder regions; when those connections falter, delays travel downstream into Florida’s warm climate.
A spokesperson for Miami International Airport told CBS Miami that bag processing delays were linked to both flight cancellations and equipment challenges in the cold conditions, a rare combination for a region unaccustomed to freezing weather.
Airlines and Passengers Adapt
Airlines have encouraged travelers to check flight status with carriers directly, as schedules remain fluid. Travel advisories have stressed that even passengers with “on-time” flights should prepare for significant wait times at ticket counters and security checkpoints.
The ongoing disruptions mark one of the more unusual winter weather challenges in recent South Florida travel history, with ripples seen across airline networks far beyond the region.
For now, passengers and airport staff alike are bracing for additional delays as operations slowly stabilize and crews reposition across the network.
