‘Free our bags': Waiting hours for luggage to arrive at Philadelphia International Airport

For the second week in a row, travelers spent hours waiting on bags, or on planes, after severe weather caused a mess at Philadelphia International Airport.

Léelo en español aquí.

NBC10 started getting multiple calls and emails from people Sunday night saying they were stuck on a plane or stuck in baggage claim waiting for their luggage to arrive. 

Hundreds of flights were delayed at PHL Sunday and more than 150 flights were canceled. Many people told us they were told weather was to blame.

Weather may impact flights at #PHLAirport today. Passengers are reminded to check with their airlines for latest flight information. pic.twitter.com/nAJqSt3vF7

— PHLAirport (@PHLAirport) June 30, 2024

The delays meant some flight crews timed out -- meaning they couldn’t work any more hours because of federal regulations. 

Passengers told us they were stuck sitting on a plane on the tarmac for hours -- with no food, water or immediate answers. 

Transportation and Transit

First Alert Traffic Dec 5

Downed trees cause Amtrak, SEPTA to stop service in Pennsylvania

Delaware Dec 4

Avelo Airlines brings back nonstop flights from Wilmington Airport to Nashville

However, the big issue with a lot of travelers was that when they finally got off their planes their luggage didn’t get off with them. 

"We still have not gotten our bags yet," a frustrated passenger said Sunday night. "No one is coming to talk to us, we haven't heard anything about what's going on with our luggage. And it's horrible. You hear them chanting, they's like 'free our bags!' Why won't they let us know where are our bags?"

As of early Monday morning, dozens of bags were lined up in baggage claim, many people with final destinations in Philadelphia having left them behind rather than continuing to wait. There were also dozens of carts of bags taken off canceled flights that would need to be claimed.

While most if not all airlines dealt with weather cancellations and delays, most of the people with the baggage confusion we talked to flew on American Airlines, which operates around 60% of PHL flights. 

Later on Monday, American Airlines said that a four hour ramp closure due to lightning caused delays. Airline employees worked to assist customers and get crews into place.