Hundreds of RDU flights canceled, travelers scramble for backup plans

MORRISVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- Winter weather continues to disrupt travel at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, where more than 175 flights were canceled Saturday, leaving passengers scrambling for alternatives and hoping their next connection holds.

Inside the terminal, the departure boards told the story of more delays and cancellations than on-time flights as snow and icy conditions impacted air travel across the region.

Kayleigh and Jada Robinson drove nearly two hours from South Carolina to catch their flight; it was their first time flying. "We're hoping that we get out of this storm to get to Miami so we can miss it," Kayleigh Robinson said.

"It hasn't been a smooth start for this group of travelers at RDU," said Andrew Richardson, whose flight to Atlanta was first delayed, then canceled. The group rushed to find another way to get to Miami as they did not want to miss their cruise departure.

"It was very stressful, I'm not going to lie," said Ashley Clay. "All 11 of us were together, and now some are in Atlanta, and we're on a different flight going to Florida. I was just like, 'Can this be over already?'"

While some travelers managed to rebook, others were forced to stay put. Todd Barrett drove an hour and a half from Lake Gaston to RDU for his flight to London. "When we first checked in, they told us that it was probably one of the only flights going out tonight," Barrett said.

After clearing TSA and waiting in the American Airlines lounge, that changed. "We were having some food, free cocktails, and then they came up and told us we were canceled," Barrett said. Barrett and his coworkers are now spending the night at a nearby hotel and will try again on Sunday on separate flights.

Make sure you check with your airlines before going to the airport, as weather-related cancellations and delays could continue through the weekend.