Severe Winter Storm Causes Widespread Airport Disruptions Across the US

Wed Feb 04 2026 03:15:25 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A major winter storm is affecting travel nationwide, resulting in thousands of flight cancellations and delays across major airports, particularly in the Northeast and other heavily trafficked regions.

A massive winter storm swept across the United States, threatening nearly 180 million people and resulting in over 11,400 flight cancellations on Sunday alone. The storm is expected to bring significant snowfall across the Northeast, compounding travel challenges as airports struggle to resume normal operations. Major hubs such as LaGuardia and Dallas-Fort Worth have been heavily impacted, with airlines scrambling to rebook passengers amid ongoing delays.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A massive winter storm made for a brutal travel day Sunday, with widespread cancellations and delays at some of the nation’s busiest airports.

Overall, nearly 180 million people were affected by this storm, according to the National Weather Service, stretching from the southern Rocky Mountains to New England. Following its progression through the South, the storm is expected to deliver up to 2 feet of snow in regions from Washington through New York and Boston.

FlightAware reported over 11,400 flights were canceled on Sunday, marking the highest rate of flight cancellations since the pandemic began. Airports in the Northeast saw significant disruptions, with LaGuardia Airport closing for the afternoon due to poor conditions.

Philadelphia saw 94% of flights canceled, while LaGuardia experienced about 91% cancellations. Over 80% of flights at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport were likewise grounded.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport reported all airline departures were canceled, totaling about 421 flights. The impact on airport hubs was felt strongly in Dallas-Fort Worth and Atlanta, with the latter being the busiest airport in the nation.

American Airlines alone canceled over 1,790 flights, translating to about 55% of its scheduled flights for the day. Delta reported over 1,470 cancellations, and Southwest Airlines more than 1,340.

Travel experts suggest recovery from these disruptions will take several days, especially as cascading delays could impact travel for those not directly affected by the storm.

For travelers who find their flights canceled, it is important to contact airlines for rebooking options. Airlines are legally obligated to issue refunds for canceled flights, even if the tickets were non-refundable.