Snow can delay flights due to poor visibility and slippery runway conditions. Airlines and airports take necessary precautions to ensure safety, which may result in operational delays.
Many travelers often ask this question when flying during the winter months, especially when unexpected snowstorms occur. Most aircraft are designed to withstand elements such as snow and heavy rain without any damage or risk to critical components like the engine, wings, or other parts.
However, there could be situations in which the snow leads to extremely poor visibility or is accompanied by strong winds. In these cases, air traffic control could decide to halt aircraft operations to negate the risk associated with adverse weather conditions.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about whether snow can delay flights, airline policies during such delays, and whether or not these delays entitle you to compensation.
How Snow Affects Flight Operations
To understand how much snow delays a flight, it’s essential to differentiate between flying while it’s snowing and taking off and landing in snow. Passenger aircraft typically have a cruising altitude of about 10 km, while the number goes up to 12 km for private jets. Temperatures at these altitudes can go as low as -60 degrees, and planes are designed to safely operate at such temperatures. As a result, cold weather or snow on the ground doesn’t inhibit flight in itself.
However, the icy conditions snow can cause at the airport and on runways can significantly affect flight operations. According to a report on the BBC, airports go into a sort of “slow motion” when it snows or if the conditions are foggy. Air traffic control also imposes strict safety restrictions.
The spacing between planes taking off and landing is also increased, to the extent that a 50% increase in spacing can result in capacity being reduced by a third. This leads to cancellations adding up.
Besides the icy and slippery conditions, heavy snow can also affect visibility, which in turn can impact takeoffs and lead to delays.
The Importance of Ice Removal from Runways
Icy conditions on runways can make the surface slick and slippery. This reduces traction and maneuverability, significantly increasing the risk of accidents. De-icing the runway is thus crucial to ensuring operational security and preventing delays and cancellations. Airports will typically make use of snow-removing equipment and de-icing agents to help keep the runways free of ice.
However, these precautions may not help in the event of an extremely heavy snowstorm, which can result in delays and even cancellations.
Common Causes of Flight Delays Due to Snow
There are various reasons why your flight could get delayed because of snow. Some of these include:
- 🌨️ Reduced Visibility: Snow often leads to reduced visibility, and this can make airplanes unsafe to operate under extreme conditions. Pilots must be able to safely view the runway in front of them and maintain a safe distance from the plane ahead of them.
- ❄️ De-icing Runways: In the event of a heavy snowstorm, airports will need to pause operations to ensure they can de-ice runways and make them safe for planes to take off and land.
- 🚕 Slower Taxi Times and Baggage Handling: The slower taxi times during heavy snow can also lead to delays. Added to this is the increased time taken during baggage handling, and you could find your flight elated for a while until air traffic control gives airlines the green light to resume operations.
How Сan I Сheck the Status of My Flight in Snowy Conditions?
Knowing the status of your flight is crucial during a snowstorm. A delay or a cancellation could require you to make other arrangements, book yourself accommodations, or re-align plans at our destination. There are various ways to check the status of your flight in snowy conditions.
The first method is to use the website or mobile app of the airline you’re flying with to track its status. Most airlines’ websites and apps offer a flight tracker that gives you real-time updates on your flight. This way, you can check if your flight has been delayed or even canceled.
Another approach is to subscribe to push or SMS notifications from your airline to be notified if your flight has been delayed due to snow. If you are already at the airport, you could also speak to the airline staff to find out the status of your flight and make alternative arrangements if needed.
Lastly, you could also rely on social media to get real-time updates on any restrictions on air travel imposed by local or federal governing bodies in the event of a snowstorm.
Airlines’ Policies on Snow-Related Delays
According to EU Regulation 261/2004, airlines are not obligated to compensate passengers for delays or cancellations arising out of extraordinary circumstances that are outside the airline’s control. Adverse weather conditions fall into this category. This is despite the fact that the decision to delay or cancel a flight during adverse weather can sometimes be at the airline’s discretion. However, this is done for overall safety, and airlines are not responsible to compensate you for it.
However, if other flights are taking off while yours isn’t, this could be an indication that yours could’ve operated as per schedule. In this situation, you could try and claim compensation.
Are You Entitled to Compensation for Snow-Related Flight Delays?
EU Laws
EU laws governed by EU Regulation 261/2004 require airlines to compensate passengers for delays beyond three hours and if the flight is canceled for a reason within the airline’s control. An example of this could be if an airline overbooks a flight and denies you boarding at the very end. Passengers will be entitled to benefits such as a meal, phone calls, and hotel accommodation for longer delays in such cases.
However, the exemption to this rule is listed in Article 5 III of the regulation, which states that in the case of an “extraordinary circumstance” such as adverse weather, airlines don’t have to compensate you for delays and cancellations.
US Laws
Most airlines in the US will book you on an alternative flight at no additional charge. However, this depends on the availability of open seats. However, airlines are not obligated to book you on a different airline’s flight. Additionally, if you no longer want to fly or have found another way of getting to your destination, airlines are legally required to refund you the price of your ticket along with any upgrades or meals you purchased.
However, US airlines are not obligated to pay you cash compensation and cover lodging or meals for any passengers stranded due to a canceled flight. This even includes situations in which the cancellation was the airline’s fault.
UK Laws
UK laws are in line with the EU’s regulations. According to UK 261, airlines are legally bound to compensate you for delays caused by a situation within their control. However, if a delay is caused by extreme weather conditions, airlines are not obligated or mandated to compensate passengers if snow causes flight delays.
FAQ
Typically if there is more than 10 inches of snow on the runway, airlines will typically cancel flights. However, this will vary from one airline to another, and some might even cancel flights if there is about six inches of snow on the runways.
Airlines and airports typically use snow removal equipment like plows, sweepers, blowers, and brushes to clear snow and ice from the runways, aprons, and taxiways. They also use de-icing agents to clear the runways of ice to improve traction.
Commercial aircraft typically fly over the altitude at which it typically snows. Light snow also typically won’t affect flight operations. However, heavy snow can lead to reduced visibility, which can cause flight delays.