TAMPA, Fla. — Many travelers at Tampa International Airport are navigating canceled and delayed flights. Airlines are pointing to the spread of COVID-19 and its impacts on staffing.
One family found out their flight was canceled via email with little notice to get to the airport for the only available flight back to New York.
"Our flight was supposed to leave at about noon," Robert Kodsi said. "We're fortunate our boy woke us up. All of a sudden, we had realized our flight was leaving at 9:30 in the morning. They had canceled our flight."
Kodsi was traveling with his wife, two sons, daughter, and mother-in-law. Had they not woken up and checked their email, they very well may have been stranded in the Tampa Bay area.
"There really weren't any other flights out that we knew of. And there was almost a three-hour wait [for customer service]," Kodsi said.
His family rushed to TPA to make the earlier flight. Even though Jet Blue had canceled his trip home, forcing him to rebook, he said he still had to pay to re-book.
"Because when we checked in, there were no seats left except the more expensive seats," he said. "It cost an extra $250 to fly out."
For the passengers lucky enough to get home without any hiccups, it's a Christmas miracle they're thankful for.
"We're really lucky that we were able to make it back home for Christmas," said Callie Cincotti. She and her father were traveling back home from Detroit. Had their flight been impacted, she may have missed Christmas with her mother.
For many Americans, last year Christmas was spent apart. This year, despite travel complications, travelers are not letting COVID-19 steal any more of their Christmas joy.
"It's frustrating, but things happen," Lynne Mangan said. Her brother's flight was canceled. The next available option was 6 hours later, leaving her waiting at the airport for his arrival.
"At least we'll all get together this year for the first time in a couple of years," she added.
"You just make the best of it," Kodsi said. "You can either be happy with what happens or complain about it."
To read how each airline is handling the short staffing and flight cancellations, click here.