The public outcry over the flight delays that followed the beginning of the furloughs prompted lawmakers from both parties to join in giving budget flexibility to the FAA. Although weather across the U.S. was relatively mild this past week, United Continental Holdings Inc.

WSJ: Air-Traffic Controllers Sent Back to Work After FAA Suspends Furloughs

The public outcry over the flight delays, however, prompted many other Democrats to join Republicans in giving budget flexibility to the FAA. Although weather across the U.S. was relatively mild this past week, United estimated that every day since the controller furloughs began on Sunday, about 20, 000 of its customers were affected by delays directly attributable to the staffing shortages, and 48 flights a day were canceled on average.

WSJ: House Passes FAA Bill to Ease Air-Travel Delays

The FAA said that "relatively good weather" and light traffic, which is typical of Sundays, helped keep delays in check.

WSJ: FAA furloughs kick in, some flight delays appear

It said it also holds daily teleconferences with airlines to discuss expected staffing and weather disruptions for the day and the FAA's plans to manage expected air-traffic demand.

WSJ: Senators Seek Way to Ease FAA Cuts

Continental has smoothed out its own schedule at Newark to avoid jams at peak hours, and has tried to anticipate weather problems a day ahead and cancel flights ahead of FAA orders to thin out schedules.

WSJ: Flight Nightmares Overshadow Airlines�� Improving Record

Making matters worse, the weather in Newark has been poorer this year than last year, an FAA official said.

WSJ: The Worst Flight in America

FAA's national control centre at Herndon, Virginia, will work out how to react to the coming weather.

ECONOMIST: A jam at 32,000 feet