First Passengers Fly from Reagan to New York After Reopening, Facing Emotional Journey

New York, NY – The first flights from Reagan National Airport to New York since its reopening touched down this afternoon. Many passengers had to spend the night in a hotel after last night’s tragic crash, making today’s journey a somber one.

A Tense Flight Experience

For those arriving at LaGuardia, the flight was anything but routine. Taking off from an airport that had just witnessed a disaster left many feeling uneasy. Some passengers had even been at Reagan when the crash occurred.

“I was at the airport last night, waiting to board around nine, when suddenly there was chaos everywhere,” one traveler shared. “Within moments, flashing lights were everywhere. People started googling what was happening, and everyone just waited patiently.”

Another passenger, who had flown in from Las Vegas, described their reaction: “I was supposed to fly at noon, but then the accident happened. It was shocking.”

An Emotional Flight

What should have been a quick one-hour-and-fifteen-minute commuter flight turned into an emotional experience. The mid-air collision over the Potomac River on Wednesday night was devastating.

“I live in Southwest D.C., and my window looks out over the river where they were bringing in the victims,” said another passenger. “I spent the whole night watching fire trucks come and go. Then, on the flight today, we flew right over the wreckage and could see the search and rescue teams still working.”

A Quiet Return to Air Travel

This morning, Reagan National Airport was eerily quiet.

“I got to the airport early, expecting long lines and confusion,” one traveler recalled. “But it was the opposite. Everything moved quickly, and the whole airport was just silent. The plane was quiet too.”

The tragic accident has had a deep impact on passengers beyond just those flying in and out of D.C.

“Everyone’s thinking about it,” one American Airlines passenger admitted. “I was in meetings all day, then I woke up to the news, and it really hit me.”

More Flights Scheduled

Two more flights from Reagan to LaGuardia are set to arrive later today at 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM. As investigators continue their work, the aviation community remains shaken by this heartbreaking incident.