Winter storm cancels 11,400 flights across U.S.

A massive winter storm swept across the United States on Sunday, January 25, canceling more than 11,400 flights and disrupting travel for millions of passengers. The system threatened approximately 180 million people—more than half the nation’s population—spanning from the southern Rocky Mountains to New England, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm produced one of the highest flight-cancellation events since the COVID-19 pandemic. Recovery from the cascading delays is expected to take days as airlines work to reschedule affected passengers and manage regional disruptions.

Heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain blanketed much of the nation’s midsection and Northeast. Meteorologists forecast 30 to 60 centimeters (one to two feet) of snow from Washington, D.C. to New York and Boston.

Impact on major transportation hubs

Major airports in the Northeast bore the brunt of the disruptions. Philadelphia International Airport canceled 94 percent of its flights—326 total—while LaGuardia Airport in New York canceled 91 percent of its schedule, amounting to 436 flights. John F. Kennedy International Airport canceled 466 flights, representing approximately 80 percent of its operations. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport suspended all outbound departures, canceling roughly 421 flights.

Disruptions also spread to major hubs in Dallas-Fort Worth, Charlotte, and Atlanta, including Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, the nation’s busiest airport.

Airline cancellations

Across the U.S. aviation system, the largest carriers recorded substantial cancellations. American Airlines canceled more than 1,790 flights, approximately 55 percent of its scheduled operations for the day. Delta Air Lines announced more than 1,470 cancellations, Southwest Airlines reported more than 1,340, and United Airlines recorded approximately 1,016 cancellations. JetBlue had more than 590 flights canceled, representing approximately 72 percent of its daily schedule.

Passenger rights and recovery

Airlines are required by federal law to provide refunds for canceled flights, even for non-refundable tickets. Passengers are entitled to a full refund for any baggage fees, seat upgrades, or other extras they could not use.

When a flight is canceled, passengers can request to be rebooked on a later flight at no additional cost, subject to seat availability. Airlines are not required to book passengers on a competing airline unless they are operating partners.

For travelers already at airports, representatives from each airline’s customer service desk can assist with rebooking. Those still at home or in hotels should contact their airline’s reservations department by phone or online to explore rescheduling or refund options.

Recovery from the cancellations and delays is expected to take days or longer. Airlines’ capacity to absorb the disruptions varies based on their network structure and how severely they were affected by the storm.