Historic Winter Storm Fern Triggers 15,000 US Flight Cancellations; Which Airlines Bear the Brunt?
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American Airlines led over 12,000 weekend US flight cancellations as Winter Storm Fern caused major operational disruption across DFW, ATL, and ORD hubs.
Key Takeaways
- •Over 12,000 US flights were canceled Saturday and Sunday due to Winter Storm Fern, with Sunday's total potentially marking the most in a single day since the COVID-19 pandemic.
- •American Airlines bore the brunt of the operational impact, leading cancellations with over 1,300 flights cut on Sunday alone.
- •Major airline hubs, including Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Charlotte (CLT), and Atlanta (ATL), saw mass disruptions, with DFW canceling over 700 departing flights on Saturday.
- •The FAA issued advisories, and major carriers like American, Delta, and Southwest offered widespread travel waivers to manage the significant operational challenge.
The commercial aviation sector faced a major challenge this weekend. Winter Storm Fern forced the cancellation of nearly 15,000 US flights through Monday, January 26, 2026. This massive disruption impacted air travel for millions of passengers across the country. The storm brought frigid temperatures, ice, and heavy snow. It affected a wide swath of the US, stretching from the Southern Rockies to New England.
Scale of Aviation Operational Disruption
Flight tracking data confirms the severity of the storm's impact. Over 3,684 flights were canceled on Saturday, January 24, according to FlightAware.com. Sunday, January 25, saw an even greater impact, with over 6,271 cancellations reported. This total could mark the highest single-day cancellation count since the COVID-19 pandemic began. An additional 5,000 flights were also reported as delayed by Sunday.
American Airlines (AA) experienced the most significant operational impact. The carrier proactively canceled a large portion of its schedule. On Saturday, AA recorded 822 flight cancellations and 30 delays. Sunday cancellations for American Airlines exceeded 1,300 flights.
Other major US carriers also saw substantial disruption:
- Southwest Airlines reported 571 cancellations and 33 delays on Saturday, with nearly 1,000 cancellations on Sunday.
- Delta Air Lines had 165 cancellations and 33 delays on Saturday, rising to nearly 1,100 cancellations on Sunday.
- United Airlines was the least impacted of the four, but still recorded 150 cancellations and 45 delays.
Impact at Key US Hubs
The storm’s path hit several critical airline hubs hard. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) saw mass flight disruptions on Saturday. Over 700 departing flights were canceled at DFW, American Airlines' busiest hub. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), a major hub for Delta Air Lines, and Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) were heavily affected on Sunday. Airports in Nashville and Chicago O’Hare (ORD) also reported triple-digit cancellations. The ice accumulation was a major factor in the South, while heavy snow was forecast for the Northeast.
Regulatory and Airline Response
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued advisories ahead of the storm. The agency warned that strong winds could slow flights in the Northeast. Low clouds were expected to cause delays at Southern airports, including Atlanta and Houston. The FAA emphasized safety measures, including aircraft de-icing and snow removal efforts. The agency urged all Americans to check its website for current airport updates.
Major airlines offered travel waivers to help passengers rebook. American Airlines, for instance, waived change fees for customers traveling to, through, or from 35 affected cities. The carrier also added over 6,200 extra seats on less-affected routes, such as between CLT and ORD, to help minimize passenger disruption. Delta Air Lines also made schedule adjustments, enacting cancellations well in advance.
Broad Geographic Emergency
The storm's severity triggered widespread emergency responses. At least 18 states and Washington D.C. issued emergency disaster declarations. This allowed for the activation of emergency response programs. The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed that over 144 million people were under winter storm warnings. The storm brought significant snow and ice to the South, Northeast, Midwest, and Great Plains.
From airline operations to fleet updates, commercial aviation news lives at flying.flights.
Written by Ujjwal Sukhwani
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience. Covers flight operations, safety regulations, and market trends with expert analysis.
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