Record Holiday Travel Surge Triggers Flight Chaos at Major US Airports

December 23, 2025 at 06:57 PM•3 min read

Record-breaking holiday air travel has led to thousands of flight delays and cancellations across major US airports, straining the FAA and airline

Key Points

1Record 122.4 million Americans are traveling for the holidays (Dec 20-Jan 1), including over 8 million domestic air travelers, a new high.
2Over 7,600 US flights were delayed on one day (Dec 19, 2025), signaling major Christmas travel chaos across the nation's airports.
3The route from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is the most problematic, averaging a 37-minute delay.
4Severe weather, including high winds up to 75 mph, triggered FAA ground delay programs at major hubs like SFO and Denver (DEN).

Americans are facing significant Christmas travel chaos this holiday season. A record number of people are traveling, straining the nation's air traffic system. AAA projects 122.4 million Americans will travel over the 13-day period. This represents a 2.2 percent increase from the previous year.

This year also marks a record for domestic air travelers. Over 8.03 million Americans are expected to board flights. This is the first time the number of air travelers has exceeded eight million.

Widespread Delays and Cancellations

The surge in record holiday air travel has immediately impacted flight schedules. One of the worst days saw over 7,600 flights delayed across the US. Nearly 1,200 flights were canceled on the same day. Earlier in December, a single day recorded over 9,000 delays and 1,400 cancellations.

These numbers highlight the immense pressure on airport operational delays. Many travelers are struggling to reach their destinations. Passengers at major hubs like New York's LaGuardia International Airport (LGA) reported significant disruption. One traveler noted the difficulty of rebooking after her flight was canceled.

America's Most Problematic Route Revealed

A recent analysis identified the most delayed route for holiday fliers. The flight path from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is the most problematic. This route averages a 37-minute delay, according to the analysis.

The Northeast remains a hotspot for congestion and delays. The Port Authority estimated 5.7 million passengers will use New York and New Jersey airports. These include John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and EWR. The high flight volume and winter weather contribute to the major airports flight cancellations.

Weather and Air Traffic Management

Weather has been a primary driver of the aviation news and delays. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued multiple advisories.

West Coast Winds: San Francisco International Airport (SFO) faced a FAA ground delay program. Inbound flights averaged a delay of one hour and 48 minutes. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a High Wind Warning. Gusts were expected to reach up to 75 miles per hour in some coastal areas.
Mountain Region Impact: Denver International Airport (DEN) also saw major disruption. High winds caused a ground stop and average delays of two hours.
East Coast Conditions: EWR is experiencing delays due to high volume and reported ice and snow. Southern airports like Miami International Airport (MIA) and Southwest Florida International (RSW) also reported delays. These are due to air traffic management initiatives.

Stakeholders in commercial aviation news must monitor the situation closely. The combination of holiday travel surge and severe weather tests the system's capacity. Passengers are advised to check flight status before heading to the airport.