Passengers Spend Hours Stuck on Planes After Power Outage at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport
A massive power outage at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport — the busiest airport in the U.S. — wreaked havoc on Sunday just as holiday travel was ramping up.
Although the FAA suspended incoming flights, it was too late for passengers and crew on planes on the runways and taxiways. In some cases, passengers were stuck on planes for as many as seven hours.
Related: Massive Power Outage Hits Busiest Airport in the U.S.
CNN reporter Betsy Klein was one such passenger, and she detailed her experience over the several hours it took to finally get off her flight.
Greetings from Atlanta! The pilot says there is no power at Hartsfield. No plane can arrive at a gate and no plane can depart. So we wait! pic.twitter.com/U4ADx4pVDa
— Betsy Klein (@betsy_klein) December 17, 2017
Among the many problems facing airport and flight crews at Hartsfield-Jackson: Without power, there were only five sets of stairs available to deplane dozens of flights, a Delta pilot told passengers on Klein's flight.
There is a gate waiting for us! We are being instructed to take our seats and fasten our seatbelts... applause from the plane when the pilot comes on the intercom pic.twitter.com/7pTxgnlTtY
— Betsy Klein (@betsy_klein) December 18, 2017
To be clear, we still aren't moving. But cause for hope that we may eventually get off of this plane
— Betsy Klein (@betsy_klein) December 18, 2017
According to Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, the outage was caused by an underground electrical fire, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. CNN additionally reported that the fire also destroyed the system that should have been the backup source of power for the airport.
It wasn't until after 10 p.m. that Mayor Reed tweeted that all passengers had been deplaned.
Latest update on power outage at @ATLAirport: all passengers have been safely de-planed. #atlairport
— Kasim Reed (@KasimReed) December 18, 2017
Upon finally getting to the airport, Klein described Hartsfield-Jackson as a “war zone.”
“Hartsfield looks like a war zone” Klein tweeted. “People sleeping on the floor, fighting mostly civilly over outlets, elderly people and small children struggling with stairs.”
A post shared by Gayle Gawlik (@doctorgeesquared) on Dec 17, 2017 at 5:06pm PST
A post shared by @ officialteabook on Dec 17, 2017 at 4:33pm PST
Power has been restored to some terminals, but may not be fully restored until midnight.
The City of Atlanta is offering shuttles to the Georgia International Convention Center for those in need of accommodations for the night.
The City of Atlanta has mobilized the Georgia International Convention Center and will provide shuttle services for anyone who needs a place to stay for the night. @ChickfilA will provide food for passengers.
— City of Atlanta, GA (@Cityofatlanta) December 18, 2017
More than 1,150 flights in and out of Atlanta were canceled on Sunday, according to FlightAware. Hartsfield-Jackson handles upwards of 300,000 passengers each day.
Delta Air Lines has canceled at least 300 flights scheduled for Monday as a result of the outage, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
Since Atlanta is a major hub, delays and cancelations could ripple throughout the country this week. Even if Atlanta isn't on your itinerary, if you're traveling this week — like the millions of other Americans on the move this holiday season — check with your airline for updated flight status.
