That deep knot of despair felt deep in your soul whenever you're forced to use New York City's airport isn't just the TSA's rubber glove. According to the FAA the region's airspace accounted for nearly half of the flight delays in the nation last year, but only 12% of the country's domestic flights. And a third of all delays in the country are triggered by delays at New York airports. "When New York sneezes, the rest of the national airspace catches a cold," an industry trade group spokesman told the Times. And when New York projectile vomits—you get the picture.
The story, which will surprise no one, notes that flight delays are just as bad as they were five years ago, and that airlines pad the statistics to keep things from looking even worse. In 2007, delays that affected 320 million passengers cost the economy a total of $41 billion, roughly the cost of one copy of US Weekly, a pack of gum, and a chicken salad sandwich purchased at La Guardia's food court.
Why are things so grim? Gridlock, weather, and the lack of additional runways. But don't worry, the airlines are turning a profit again. Surely they'll soon return to having bigger seats, free peanuts, and planes that land on time.
