Severe Northeast Winter Storm Forces US Airlines to Cancel Over 1,800 Flights.

December 27, 2025 at 05:53 AM•3 min read

US airlines canceled over 1,800 flights and delayed thousands on Friday, severely disrupting peak holiday travel across the Northeast due to a severe winter storm.

Key Points

1Over 1,800 US flights were canceled on Friday, December 26, 2025, due to Winter Storm Devin.
2Major New York hubs (JFK, LGA, EWR) accounted for more than half of all nationwide flight disruptions, according to FlightAware data.
3JetBlue Airways and Delta Air Lines led all carriers in cancellations as the storm intensified across the Northeast and Great Lakes regions.
4Airlines waived change fees and the FAA issued ground stop warnings to manage the hazardous travel conditions.

A powerful winter storm caused US airlines flight cancellations to soar on Friday, December 26, 2025. The severe weather disrupted the peak holiday travel season across the United States. According to the flight tracking website FlightAware, more than 1,800 flights were canceled nationwide. Additionally, over 8,000 flights faced significant delays as the storm moved into the Northeast.

This Northeast winter storm travel chaos came as millions of Americans flew post-Christmas. The storm, named Devin by some forecasters, brought heavy snow and ice. Hazardous conditions impacted major air travel corridors from the Great Lakes into New England.

Operational Impact on Key Hubs

The bulk of the holiday travel disruptions centered on the New York metropolitan area. More than half of all cancellations were concentrated at three major airports. These included John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport also reported operational challenges.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued advisories. They warned of potential ground stops and delays at several key Northeast facilities. The severe winter storm warnings forced airlines to proactively adjust schedules. This was done to ensure passenger and crew safety.

Airline Response and Passenger Relief

Several major carriers led the list for over 1,000 flights canceled on Friday. JetBlue Airways had the highest number of cancellations. Delta Air Lines was a close second. Republic Airways, American Airlines, and United Airlines also saw significant cuts.

In response to the weather, most major US airlines offered relief. They issued travel alerts and waived change fees. This allowed affected passengers to rebook flights without penalty. However, limited seat availability during the busy season complicated rebooking efforts.

Aviation Stakeholder Challenges: The storm tested the resilience of the US air traffic system. It highlighted the challenge of managing capacity during air travel weather delays. The industry relies on accurate forecasting and quick operational decisions.
Economic Cost: Mass cancellations during the peak holiday travel season result in high costs. These costs affect airlines, airports, and the broader supply chain.
Future Outlook: Airlines and regulators will review these disruptions. The goal is to improve storm response protocols for future events. The global aviation sector, represented by organizations like IATA, monitors such large-scale weather impacts.

For more updates on global commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights. Manufacturers like Airbus also track how weather events affect fleet utilization. The storm's impact lessened by Saturday, but residual delays continued.