Fourth of July Travel Delays

Beginner | July 6, 2025

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Busy Skies, Bumpy Start

A Very Busy Weekend

Are you traveling for the holiday? Many people are! It’s the Fourth of July holiday weekend in the United States. This is a very popular time to travel. Experts say many millions of Americans are planning trips. It might be the busiest Fourth of July travel delays season ever!

Trouble from the Start

But the start of this Fourth of July travel delays period is difficult. Many flights are not on time. Some flights are canceled. One big reason is bad weather. Big rainstorms and thunderstorms are hitting parts of the country, especially in the eastern and southern areas.

Why Are There So Many Problems?

Weather and Worker Shortages

Bad weather is a major cause of delays. But there are other reasons, too. Sometimes there are not enough workers at airports. This includes people who control the airplanes in the sky, called air traffic controllers. In some places in Europe, air traffic controllers even stopped working for a short time, causing more flight problems there.

Travel Tips for Passengers

Because of all these things – weather, not enough workers, and other issues – many flights have been delayed or canceled recently. News reports say tens of thousands of flights were affected in just a few days before the holiday weekend.

So, if you are traveling, it is a good idea to check your flight status often. Arriving at the airport earlier than usual can also help. Some people buy travel insurance to help if their trip is delayed or canceled.

Vocabulary

Holiday (noun): A special day or period when people celebrate or rest.
*Example: “The Fourth of July is a holiday in the U.S.”
Delays (noun): When something happens later than planned.
*Example: “There were many flight delays today because of the weather.”
Cancellations (noun): When something that was planned is stopped.
*Example: “The airline had many cancellations.”
Rush (noun): A time when many people are trying to do something at once.
*Example: “The holiday travel rush makes airports busy.”
Experts (noun): People who know a lot about a specific topic.
*Example: “Travel experts give advice for busy times.”
Weather (noun): The condition of the air outside, like sun, rain, or wind.
*Example: “Bad weather caused the delays.”
Thunderstorms (noun): Strong storms with thunder and lightning.
*Example: “Thunderstorms stopped the airplanes.”
Air Traffic Control (noun): The service that guides airplanes safely.
*Example: “Problems with air traffic control can delay flights.”
Staffing Shortages (noun): When there are not enough workers for a job.
*Example: “Staffing shortages at the airport caused long lines.”
Passengers (noun): People who travel in a vehicle, like an airplane or train.
*Example: “Thousands of passengers were waiting.”

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

What is making holiday travel difficult this year?
Besides weather, what other reasons are causing travel delays?
How many flights were affected by delays or cancellations recently?
What is one piece of advice for travelers mentioned in the article?
Why might arriving early at the airport be helpful now?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

Do you like to travel during holidays? Why or why not?
What is the worst travel delay you have ever had?
What do you do to make travel easier when it is very busy?
How important is checking the weather before you travel?
Would you consider buying travel insurance for a trip? Why?

Related Idiom

Up in the air
Meaning: When something is uncertain or not decided yet.
Example: My travel plans are still “up in the air” because of the weather.

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This article was inspired by: ABC News, June 30, 2025