Severe Winter Storm Grounds Thousands of US Flights During Peak Holiday Travel Rush

December 26, 2025 at 09:46 PM•3 min read

Severe winter storm warnings have forced major airlines like JetBlue and Delta to cancel nearly 1,500 US flights, severely disrupting peak holiday travel.

Key Points

1Nearly 1,500 US flights cancelled and 5,400 delayed as a severe winter storm hits the Northeast.
2JetBlue Airways (227) and Delta Air Lines (213) reported the highest number of flight cancellations.
3Major New York area hubs—JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia—are the most impacted by the storm, which is expected to dump up to 9 inches of snow.
4The FAA implemented airspace restrictions to manage traffic; airlines offer travel waivers but are not required to pay cash compensation for weather delays.

Thousands of flights across the US are cancelled or delayed. The severe winter storm hits during the peak holiday travel season. As of Friday afternoon, nearly 1,500 flights were cancelled. An additional 5,400 flights faced significant delays. This data comes from flight tracking website FlightAware.

Widespread Operational Impact

JetBlue Airways reported the highest number of cancellations. The airline scrubbed 227 flights due to the storm. Delta Air Lines followed closely, cancelling 213 flights. Republic Airways and Southwest Airlines also saw major cuts. They cancelled 157 and 146 flights, respectively. American Airlines and United Airlines each grounded approximately 100 flights. The US flights cancelled delayed total is expected to climb. This reflects the severity of the Northeast winter storm warning.

Northeast Hubs Bear the Brunt

The most affected airports are in the New York area. These include John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty, and LaGuardia. Philadelphia, Detroit, and Toronto, Canada, are also experiencing impacts. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Winter Storm Warning. It is active from Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon. New York and southern Connecticut expect up to 9 inches (23cm) of snow. The heaviest snow is forecast between 18:00 and midnight. This timing severely limits safe aircraft operations. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) deployed snow removal teams. They are working to keep runways clear for essential operations.

Regulatory and Passenger Advisory

The FAA is actively managing air traffic flow. They often implement Airspace Flow Restrictions (AFPs). These restrictions help prevent airport overcrowding during bad weather. Weather is the leading cause of air traffic delays. The New York airports are historically prone to such weather-related disruption.

Airline Operational Challenges

Airlines are issuing travel waivers for affected passengers. This allows free rebooking without change fees. Passengers should check their flight status before heading to the airport. The holiday travel season disruption is causing significant stress. The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires a full refund if a flight is cancelled. However, airlines are not federally required to provide compensation for weather delays. This is because weather is considered an uncontrollable event. Industry bodies like IATA stress proactive communication. They advise travelers to monitor airline and airport social media for updates.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul advised against unnecessary trips. She urged those who must travel to plan ahead and take it slow. New York City Mayor Eric Adams asked drivers to use public transport. Snow ploughs are deployed to clear streets once 2 inches of snow accumulates. This storm is the second major snowfall of the season for the city. For the latest commercial aviation news, visit https://flying.flights.

This severe weather aviation impact highlights operational fragility. Airlines must manage crew and aircraft repositioning. They must also prepare for potential delays extending into the weekend.