Another ground distance travelers face a new wave of new cancellations and prolonged delays at New Jersey airport on Sunday. This disruption is after weeks of chaos, marked by air traffic problems and shortages of personnel.
In the waiting area, temporary chairs and benches, the weekend was empty compared to the passenger cluster that was stranded last week, with power outages on Friday and Sunday leaving travelers struggling to tackle lingering effects.
Akash Gupta's travel plan was completely overturned when his flight to Indianapolis was delayed for six hours on Saturday. He passed the time to chat with his wife, and chatted through video calls and doodled on some paper.
"I'm happy with the flight, but I've experienced this delay for the first time," Gupta told NBC News.
Sean Cudahy, senior aviation journalist at travel site The Points Guy, suggested that the first action that delayed passengers should take is to find alternative flights. When examining alternatives, he advises not to wait for the perfect solution.
"If you even see a good option, grab it, book it, and the airline will let you keep making changes," Kudashi said.
To contact an airline for rebooking or explore more options, the airline app or live chat feature is often more effective than waiting on a long-term customer service line. NBC News Aviation Analyst John Cox recommends using the flight tracking app Flighty for real-time updates.
Cox recommends taking advantage of frequent flyer allowances. Many airlines have agents dedicated to rebooking frequent flyers, making them easier to reach.
“From the passenger’s point of view, this is what you want,” Cox said. “Be polite and be friendly, but understand that you need to take care of the business and keep the agent moving forward to help others.”
The Ministry of Transportation ruled last year that airlines must promptly make cash refunds to passengers who cancel or severely delay their flights. However, refunds are only available to passengers who book with a different airline or choose another way of travel, not those who accept rebooking from the original airline.
A spokesman for the New York and New Jersey Port Authority, which operates Newark Airport, said travelers should also review the airline’s rebooking and refund policies in advance.
"We were supposed to be here at Manchester United today, but they were cancelled about five to six days ago and they did refund our money," Judy Davenport said. She and her husband eventually booked a separate Delta flight to connect with Paris.
Travelers have several options to choose between waiting for delays in Newark or grabbing bites on the safety line. Each terminal of the airport provides passenger seats before and after the TSA screening.
Cox told delayed travelers, “Go and sit down early, get food, and move on.” Encourage them to use amenities as well. He also recommends being cautious about drinking in high-stress environments.
Travelers booking to Newark in the coming weeks can take active steps to manage their flight plans.
United Airlines is one of Newark's most affected airlines, with hundreds of cancelled flights offering exemptions for changes in fees or fare differences until May 23, with the option to fly over New York City or LaGuardia Airport in Philadelphia. Cudahy warned that other airports will offer fewer flight options than United's Newark Hub.
Alaska Airlines has flexible travel policies covering the original travel dates on Sunday, while JetBlue will offer a waiver at the end of May.
To delay preparation, Cox recommends packing necessary medications, if luggage is interrupted, clothing and toiletries are interrupted overnight, and checking the bags end up in another location.
Cudahy also recommends bringing in additional batteries and chargers, an empty reusable water bottle to minimize the cost of food courts, gaming or entertainment, or traveling with young children.
Experts also remind travelers to follow the 3-1-1 rule to make it easier to pass through through safety: a 3.4-ounce liquid container in a clear quart bag, one bag per passenger.
Cox said that preparing the right documentation is ready, especially with new actual ID requirements, will help simplify the process.
Transport Secretary Sean Duffy said in NBC News' "Meeting Media" Sunday that Newark is facing telecommunications problems and has had glitches in the software, but it will be "up and running for a short time."
Duffy said Newark will experience “reduced capabilities” in the coming weeks, with co-CEO Scott Kirby openly calling for action.
For those planning to book a Newark trip soon, Kudashi recommends looking for direct flights.
"If you keep going, as long as your flight is not cancelled, you will eventually get there," Kudashi said.
Cudahy recommends using a credit card that includes travel insurance to purchase air tickets. If travelers face delays or cancellations, they may reimburse fees such as hotel rooms caused by dining or travel interruptions.
Although many airlines offer their own insurance, they usually do not cover situations outside of airline control, such as weather or air traffic-related issues. Cudahy recommends looking at the airline’s insurance policy to see what is covered and then shopping with a third-party travel insurer to compare costs.
Duffy's reassured travelers flew out of Newark and throughout the U.S. airspace - still safe. There are policies and procedures for handling such incidents. But he does have concerns about the outdated technology and systems used.
Recent aviation issues prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to release a three-year plan to modernize the system.
"We've seen pressure on the old network, and it's time to fix it," Duffy said.