Travelers in Texas experience flight delays, cancelations on day after Christmas

AUSTIN, Texas - Holiday travel is in full force at airports across the country as many are returning home after the Christmas holiday, and others are flying out ahead of the new year.

In Texas, some travelers have experienced delays and cancelations throughout the week.

"We were coming down from Pittsburgh. We landed in Dallas-Fort Worth, and at first, we missed our first flight. And they said, ‘you want to take the next one?’ I said, of course, whatever you guys have available after that," says traveler, Gabreel Ortega.

Gabreel Ortega was headed back to Austin on Thursday with his daughter when he says he got a notification from American Airlines after agreeing to reschedule his flight.

"A few moments later, they text me saying, ‘your flight got delayed.' So, we went from 1:45 p.m. all the way to 3:45 p.m.," says Ortega.

Ortega says he received a second notification that the flight was moved from 3:45 p.m. to 7:35 p.m. He then opted for another form of travel.

"I decided just to drive over here, just rented a car, and then I came back over here. And then on the way over here, I was driving with my daughter. And then I got this text on my phone through the app saying, hey, you know what? Your flight got canceled for the day," says Ortega.

According to Flight Aware, there were more than 800 flights delayed at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport; at least 400 were from American Airlines.

There were also more than 500 cancelations; close to 300 were from American Airlines before 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 26.

"We were on the way back and imagined the people going on their first date of vacation or whatever. Imagine if you have a big family and you have to rent a hotel room. And I know some airlines do cover that. But just the hassle to go through that, you know, for the holidays," says Ortega.

Data from Flight Aware also showed there were nearly a dozen canceled flights at ABIA and more than 20 delayed flights, all from American Airlines.

Gabreel says that he is expecting a refund for his travel.

"I believe they will cover the flights only, but not the rental car, unfortunately. But we're safe. We're back home, so we're happy to be back," says Ortega.