Why the US winter storm grounding over 10,800 flights is the biggest aviation crisis since the pandemic.

A massive US winter storm created a brutal travel day on Sunday, January 25, 2026. Widespread cancellations and delays hit many of the nation's busiest airports. The storm brought snow, sleet, and freezing rain. It threatened nearly 180 million people, over half the US population. The path stretched from the southern Rocky Mountains to New England.

Unprecedented Aviation Disruption

More than 10,800 flights were cancelled on Sunday alone. This is according to flight-tracking site FlightAware. Aviation analytics firm Cirium stated this storm is the highest cancellation event since the pandemic. The storm moved into the Northeast on Sunday. It was expected to dump 30 to 60 centimeters of snow.

Major US airport disruptions were severe. The majority of flights were cancelled in the Northeast. LaGuardia Airport in New York closed Sunday afternoon. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded flights until 8:00 PM. Philadelphia International Airport saw 94% of its flights cancelled. This totaled 326 flights. LaGuardia Airport cancellations reached 91% (433 flights). New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) cancelled 460 flights. This was about 79% of its schedule. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport cancelled all departing flights, about 420.

Significant disruptions also hit other major airport hubs. These included Dallas-Fort Worth, Charlotte, and Atlanta. Atlanta is home to the nation’s busiest airport.

Major Airline Network Impact

Major US carriers bore the brunt of the US winter storm flight cancellations.

• American Airlines cancelled over 1,400 flights. This was about 46% of its Sunday schedule.
• Delta Air Lines reported over 1,300 cancellations.
• Southwest Airlines cancelled more than 1,260 flights.
• United Airlines grounded about 900 flights.
• JetBlue cancelled over 570 flights. This accounted for roughly 71% of its schedule.

The storm's impact extended beyond the US. Australian carriers Qantas and Virgin are closely monitoring the situation. They advised customers of potential cancellations. Travelers are being re-accommodated. They are being told to expect delays and make adjustments.

Commercial Aviation Logistics and Recovery

Recovery from the massive cancellations will take time. A Dartmouth professor specializing in commercial aviation logistics noted this. He said recovery could take days, if not longer. Airline network recovery is complex. It depends on each airline’s network structure. It also depends on the extent of the hit they received. Their capacity to handle such massive disruptions is key.

Cascading delays will affect travelers nationwide. This includes those not directly in the storm’s path. For example, one traveler changed his Delta reservation. He is now staying in Florida until Wednesday. This was due to the weather impact on his return flight to Detroit.

Passenger Rights and Rebooking

Travelers must understand their rights during cancellations. If a flight is cancelled, contact the airline immediately. Speak to a customer service representative or use online resources. Researching alternate flights while waiting is helpful. Most airlines rebook passengers on later flights for no extra charge. This depends on seat availability.

• Refund Entitlement: If a flight is cancelled and the traveler chooses not to fly, a full refund is legally required. This applies even to non-refundable tickets. The reason for the cancellation does not matter. This refund includes any unused extras. Examples are bag fees or seat upgrades.

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