U.S. Airlines Face Worst Travel Chaos Since Pandemic as Winter Storm Wreaks Havoc
A massive winter storm sweeping across the United States has triggered what is shaping up to be one of the most severe air travel meltdowns since the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing major airlines to cancel thousands of flights and effectively shutting down key airports nationwide.
Unprecedented Cancellations Over Three-Day Period
More than 16,000 U.S. flights have been cancelled from Saturday through Monday, according to data from the flight-tracking website FlightAware. The storm pushed into major population centers and snarled airline networks across the country, with airlines scrapping more than 10,300 U.S. flights on Sunday alone. This marks the highest number of cancellations since the pandemic, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.
Major Airlines Hit Especially Hard
Carriers with large hubs in the storm's path were impacted particularly severely. American Airlines cancelled more than 55 percent of its Sunday schedule, while JetBlue Airways scrapped more than 70 percent of flights. Delta Air Lines cut more than 40 percent, and United Airlines cancelled nearly 38 percent, according to Cirium data.
Airport Operations Grind to a Halt
Major airports across the eastern half of the country were effectively shut down. By 10 a.m. New York time, more than 80 percent of departures were cancelled at Newark Liberty International Airport, LaGuardia, and John F. Kennedy International Airport. Washington Reagan National Airport topped 90 percent cancellations. Boston Logan, Charlotte Douglas, and Chicago O'Hare were also among the hardest-hit facilities.
Weather Impacts Extend Beyond Northeast
The storm's effects stretched well beyond the Northeast region. Texas and parts of the South were among the first areas impacted, with freezing rain and ice snarling operations at major hubs including Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and Austin. Data from the Federal Aviation Administration show multiple airport closures across the South and Midwest as ice and snow made runways unsafe, contributing to cascading disruptions throughout airline networks.
Storm Continues to Batter East Coast
The winter storm is expected to continue battering the East through Monday. New England could see as much as 18 inches (45.7 centimetres) of snow, according to the U.S. Weather Prediction Center, with up to a foot possible in New York City. Some precipitation may fall as sleet, increasing the risk of heavy icing on roads and runways.
Airlines Implement Contingency Plans
Airlines had begun rolling out contingency plans ahead of the storm. Delta is allowing passengers to rebook flights without fare differences across 41 airports in the South and Southeast, including Atlanta, Dallas, Austin, Houston, Charleston, and Memphis, through January 28. United Airlines is waiving change fees and fare differences for travellers affected at 61 airports, including Boston, Newark, and New York's LaGuardia.
The widespread cancellations represent a significant test for U.S. transportation infrastructure and highlight the vulnerability of airline networks to severe weather events. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates and rebooking options as the situation continues to evolve.
