HEBRON — The skies might have been sunny and clear outside, but that didn't help the hundreds of travelers stranded Thursday at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

        The winter storm that swept through the Southeast wreaked havoc on Delta Air Lines' entire system because of its impact on Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport — the world's busiest airport and Delta's main hub.

Savannah Rose Brown, 2, of Rexburg, Idaho, entertains herself with her family's luggage during a delay Thursday at the Cincinnati airport. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        Many other southern airports were shut down, keeping airlines such as Delta from getting planes and crews where they were needed and snarling Cincinnati, Delta's second-largest hub.

        And that kept travelers such as Paul Baker, his fiancee, 76-year-old mother, and 3-year-old son from reaching destinations as far away as Utrecht, the Netherlands.

        “We're looking at a 24- to 26-hour delay at this point,” said Mr. Baker, after a three-hour wait in line to get a new itinerary. “The people have all been nice, but the system stinks. Delta really could have done a better job.”

        According to Delta spokeswoman Kristi Tucker, the airline scratched more than 450 flights Thursday alone, after canceling 582 Wednesday.

        The carrier also diverted four international flights headed for Atlanta to Cincinnati Wednesday night.

        “But the system is getting better as the weather clears up,” said Ms. Tucker from Atlanta, which received 2 to 3 inches of snow Wednesday afternoon and evening. “And we hope to be back to full operations (today).”

        Local airport spokesman Ted Bushelman said that the four flights were coming from Amsterdam, Stuttgart, Zurich and London.

        Mr. Baker headed back to Amsterdam Wednesday from Albuquerque, N.M., and had planned to connect through Atlanta. But the storm canceled that flight, forcing his party to Cincinnati, where they planned to connect to London and then on to the Netherlands.

        “We missed that (London) flight by five minutes, and they wouldn't hold it for us,” Mr. Baker said. “And then Delta wouldn't pay for the hotel room, and booked us in a hotel that was already sold out. We found another one for $140 a night.

        “So we're going to Boston, and then flying home to Holland — on Northwest,” said Mr. Baker, giving a whoop.

        Ms. Tucker said that in most cases, the airline does not reimburse passengers for cancellations caused by weather.

        The storm created some of the longest lines at the Delta ticket counter since the days following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, which stranded millions nationwide.

        James Murray III, of Aurora, Ind., said he had been trying to get back to resume duty in the Navy in Jacksonville, Fla., since Wednesday, but was told he wouldn't be able to leave until this morning.

        “I'm lucky to have such an understanding chief, but he's from Dayton and knows what can happen,” said Mr. Murray, one of several of those in the military trying to return to their posts.

        Amy Brown, a Fairfield native now living in Rexburg, Idaho, also had a long wait, and had four children ranging in age from 10 to 2 to entertain — setting up luggage as forts, reading books, coloring and pulling out Game Boys.

        “I'm not getting into that line to check our bags until it's almost time to go,” said Ms. Brown. “We've been here since before 7 a.m., and our first flight was canceled because the plane didn't get here. But I'm sure we'll get home — better late than never, right?”

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