Hundreds of US flights canceled as airport Starbucks lines stretch onto tarmac

The United States airline industry continues to face scrutiny for its failure to maintain its flight schedules. Just in the past week alone, hundreds more flights were canceled, leaving travelers stranded and government officials looking for answers.

But a recent Battle Line analysis suggests the airlines may not be entirely to blame and that, instead, the customers themselves bear much of the responsibility. That is because, upon stepping into any of the nation’s largest airports, one will find the lines at Starbucks have grown out of control. In fact, in more than four dozen documented cases, the lines at Starbucks stretched all the way across the tarmac.

Starbucks has long been popular in airports, but, for no clearly identifiable reason, has lately experienced a surge in customers. Thanks to the constant stimulation provided by cell phones, people don’t seem to mind waiting in longer lines. But only for coffee; lines to get through security and for restrooms remain cantankerous.

Not only have the Starbucks lines grown longer as of late. Earlier this year, they began winding through airport terminals uncontrollably and with no clear organization. In July, it reached a breaking point as a Starbucks line at Chicago O’Hare extended outside the confines of the building and onto the tarmac, resulting in several flights being delayed or canceled. Despite impassioned pleas from pilots, those standing in line either paid no notice or yelled back, explaining their need for caffeine.

“In the end, maybe it didn’t matter,” said Victor Cosgrove, an American Airlines pilot whose Tuesday 9:55 a.m. flight from O’Hare to Dallas-Fort Worth was delayed three hours. “The plane was less than half-full anyway, as most of my passengers were the ones standing in line for Starbucks blocking takeoff."

Other airport establishments have come forward, saying they too sell coffee. At Columbus' John Glenn International, for example, the Bob Evans stand features a large sign out front advertising coffee and breakfast sandwiches. But when Battle Line sent an undercover reporter on location to check it out, there was no one to be found working the register. Ten minutes later, four Bob Evans employees were finally spotted, all of them standing in line at Starbucks.

Last Friday, a 10:25 a.m. flight from Minneapolis to Newark, New Jersey, was about to board. The attendant announced that groups one and two could begin entering the aircraft, but no one was there to listen. The attendant, believing the reason was that no one really wants to go to Newark, New Jersey, then sarcastically called out, “Now boarding United Airlines Flight 1473 to Nashville.”

Eight women, all estimated to be in their late 20s, ran up to the gate screaming, “F*** yeah, we’re going to Nashville!” One was wearing a white sash that read, “Bachelorette.” Even still, the women later explained, the only reason they boarded the plane was because they had already gotten their Starbucks orders.

After another hour of waiting, Flight 1473 went to its previously intended destination of Newark. Upon returning home two days later, the bachelorette told Battle Line that Nashville was not nearly as fun as she had been promised and that she likely will never go back.

Attempts at finding a solution have only resulted in finger-pointing between Starbucks and airport management staffs. For now, it appears this problem is here to stay. Airline travelers are being reminded of the possibility of extended delays or cancelations. Additionally, any passengers looking to alleviate the problem by bringing their own coffee to the airport will be strip-searched and scolded by TSA, as well as have their coffee dumped out in front of them. Anyone found carrying more than 12 ounces will be taken into custody.

Originally published August 3, 2022.