Weather problems led the Delta to actively cancel flights in Atlanta on Friday as storms and heat pose travel risks.
Atlanta – On Friday morning, overnight hours at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport canceled nearly 200 flights, including Delta Airlines, responsible for most of the interference.
The Atlanta-based airline confirmed that it has actively carried out cancellations as severe summer weather affected operations.
According to Delta, the airline’s operations and customer center in Atlanta works closely with an internal weather team to assess weather risks. A Delta spokesman said the decision to cancel the flight was to protect passengers and crew in advance.
“Yes, there are positive cancellations in Atlanta today due to severe summer weather,” a Delta Air Lines spokesman said. “The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority.”
According to the 11-layer weather impact group, the altitude could reach 94 degrees Friday, but it will feel hotter due to humidity. The storm is expected to develop in the afternoon and evening, bringing heavy rain, lightning and gusts to parts of northeast Georgia and Atlanta. On Friday, the Storm Prediction Center placed the area at Level 1 risk of bad weather.
Thursday's storm has already brought challenges to airline crews operating inside and outside Hartsfield-Jackson, with some flights delayed for hours.
Total delays and cancellations at Atlanta Airport Friday, August 1 |
As of 3 pm
- Cancel: 261
- Delay: 506
Data based on flight awareness.
Travelers flying over Atlanta need to know
The Delta encourages passengers to check their flight status and prepare for delays at Hartsfield-Jackson, which may continue based on weather conditions. Although the airline has not reported system issues, the number of cancellations could affect connection flights and cause travel disruptions outside Atlanta.
Related: Thursday night, intense storm from Metro Atlanta
About the internal meteorological team of the Delta
According to its website, Delta operates the largest internal weather team among American Airlines, with 28 employees monitoring forecasts. The team updates the weather model every six hours and provides guidance to flight planners, dispatchers and station managers, especially when storms can impact major hubs such as Atlanta Airport.
The team's predictions help determine:
- Is it delayed or cancelled?
- If the pilot should rerout the flight to avoid turbulence
- When will travelers notify plan changes
The day begins with a five-day weather outlook, focusing on hubs in the Delta, including Atlanta, to help the operations team prepare. This early plan is crucial when summer storms develop rapidly.
Related: Georgia Tech scientists break their own lightning world record
Delta meteorologist Warren Weston explained that safety is the core goal behind these decisions, especially during irregular operations. The team provides specialized forecasts for ground and overhead conditions, including turbulence and storm activity up to 40,000 feet.
The airline also provides pilots with a tool called “Widget Weather” that allows pilots to track real-time weather and turbulence data from the flight deck.
For more information on how the Delta makes weather-based flight decisions, visit: Behind the Scenes with Delta Meteorologists.