How often are JFK and Newark closed because of bad weather?

[sverigecruiser]

I have followed the weather reports from the US the last days and I'm wondering how often the airports in New York have to close because of bad weather?

 

We will cruise from New York in February next year, do we have to worry if we plan to land in New York a few days before the cruise? Which airport is the best to fly to when the weather is bad, JFK or Newark?

[sherilyn70]

The US is getting hit by an unusually bad arctic vortex... this is not typical. We usually get snow and have issues but it's been a bit out of the ordinary at this point.

[sverigecruiser]

The last time we were in the US was October-November 2012 and then we missed New York because of Sandy, the airport closed the same day we should get there.

[Zach1213]

Pretty rare that any of them are really CLOSED. Big delays? Definitely more common.

[bouhunter]

No way to predict. I would guess on average northern US airports are open 90%+ during the winter. It's the less than 10% that is the problem......

 

It's always a good idea to fly to a cruise a day or two early if you can regardless of the destination.

[Zach1213]

10% is still very high. If we are talking about the airport actually being closed to arriving and departing aircraft? It is very, very rare, in the big picture. Less than 1% I would guess, let alone 10%.

[lauren0309]

I will never plan a cruise in February again. One year (Presidents Week) New York had a major snowstorm. All 3 area airports were closed for 3 days. We had to stay in a hotel for Miami until the airports reopened. Thank goodness we had trip insurance which covered all our expenses.

 

February is the snowiest month and we always have a snowstorm around Presidents week.

[Got2Cruise]

The problem is when there is a large storm approaching, the major airlines get as many of their aircraft out of there in advance. So even if the storm does not shut down the airport there are no aircraft there to fly. There is usually at least one big snowstorm during Jan or Feb in NYC, it is a gamble as to when it will be.

[kenish]

OP- As others are commenting, the real question is the probability of weather interrupting your flights. JFK or EWR closing is certainly one cause, but they could be open with long flight delays and the result is the same.

 

Also keep in mind that the airline system here in the USA is mostly "hub-and-spoke". A weather problem 3000 miles away can affect your flight. For example, the weather problems at DFW in early December cancelled many flights into our local airport which was warm and sunny. Departures were affected too, because there was no inbound aircraft for the next outbound flight.

 

A broader view says that air travel in the US during winter can be affected by weather....so travel to the cruise at least 1 day early and leave plenty of layover time.

[sverigecruiser]

OP- As others are commenting, the real question is the probability of weather interrupting your flights. JFK or EWR closing is certainly one cause, but they could be open with long flight delays and the result is the same.

 

Also keep in mind that the airline system here in the USA is mostly "hub-and-spoke". A weather problem 3000 miles away can affect your flight. For example, the weather problems at DFW in early December cancelled many flights into our local airport which was warm and sunny. Departures were affected too, because there was no inbound aircraft for the next outbound flight.

 

A broader view says that air travel in the US during winter can be affected by weather....so travel to the cruise at least 1 day early and leave plenty of layover time.

 

It sounds like the biggest problem is flying from New York, not to New York, right? We will fly from London with British Airways and if they can land, I think that they want the plane in New York rather than waiting somewhere else for better weather.

 

Our cruise leaves on Sunday and we plan to land in New York on Wednesday so some delays is no problem. If the airport is closed for some days it's much worse!

[FlyerTalker]

It sounds like the biggest problem is flying from New York, not to New York, right? We will fly from London with British Airways and if they can land, I think that they want the plane in New York rather than waiting somewhere else for better weather.

 

Our cruise leaves on Sunday and we plan to land in New York on Wednesday so some delays is no problem. If the airport is closed for some days it's much worse!

If JFK is closed, depending on your ticket fare rules, you could ask for a waiver to reroute to BOS or PHL or IAD. You've got train service available, though if the weather is THAT bad, there may be problems there as well. But at least you get within a couple hundred miles of NYC.

 

The original movie "The Out of Towners" (1970) might be appropriate to watch. Or "Planes, Trains & Automobiles". That is, if you have a good sense of humour.

[sverigecruiser]

If JFK is closed, depending on your ticket fare rules, you could ask for a waiver to reroute to BOS or PHL or IAD. You've got train service available, though if the weather is THAT bad, there may be problems there as well. But at least you get within a couple hundred miles of NYC.

 

The original movie "The Out of Towners" (1970) might be appropriate to watch. Or "Planes, Trains & Automobiles". That is, if you have a good sense of humour.

 

I know that another airport can be an alternative unless the weather is very bad and other airports are closed too.

 

When JFK was closed, BA got us to Miami the day after and we were happy with that solution.