At least 78 flights were canceled Saturday at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as the grounding order of Boeing MAX 9s continues and as storms hammer much of the country.
Another 133 flights have been delayed as of early Saturday, according to FlightAware, but several flights departed before dawn and hundreds of others remain on schedule.
The disruptions come as Alaska Airlines, which is based in Seattle, canceled more flights through Tuesday amid ongoing safety investigations. The Federal Aviation Administration has grounded Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes as inspectors look into a mid-flight incident on Alaska Flight 1282 on Jan. 5, when a panel blew off the fuselage — the main body of the plane — at 16,000 feet.
The flight, carrying 171 passengers, had just left Portland for Ontario, Calif. While the aircraft landed safely with only minor passenger injuries, the incident has raised renewed questions about the safety of Boeing’s fleet.
United and Alaska Airlines, which are the only U.S.-based carriers operating the MAX 9, accounted for more than 330 cancellations nationwide Saturday.
Meanwhile, Sea-Tac has reported surfaces open and clear, with no snow accumulation, as a cold snap continues across Western Washington and as storms hit much of the country. Airport officials advised travelers to check with their airline directly about how winter weather may affect their flights.
The eighth floor of the airport parking garage has been temporarily closed because of winter weather.
What to do if your flight is canceled, delayed
Travelers flying with Alaska can change their reservation at no additional cost if the trip is completed by Jan. 20. Travelers don’t need to be flying on the MAX 9 to use the airline’s “systemwide flexible travel policy.”
United customers scheduled on MAX 9 flights who bought tickets on or before Jan. 6 can reschedule their trip, with change fee and fare differences waived. Only flights completed by Jan. 18 are eligible, and tickets must be in the same cabin and between the cities you originally booked.
If your new trip is after Jan. 18, or to a different destination, United will waive change fees but you may have to pay a fare difference depending on the flight.
If you cancel or don’t take your trip, you can get a full refund, according to United.
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