Severe Winter Storm Disrupts Travel Across the U.S.

Sat Jan 31 2026 14:07:07 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A massive winter storm causes extensive flight cancellations and travel chaos affecting millions of travelers from the southern Rocky Mountains to New England.

On Sunday, a severe winter storm disrupted travel across the United States, leading to over 11,400 flight cancellations. The storm's icy grip affected major airports in the Northeast and beyond, with significant snowfall expected from Washington to Boston. Airlines such as American Airlines and Delta faced substantial disruptions, forecasting long recovery times due to cascading delays. Travelers are advised on steps to take if their flights are canceled, including seeking rebooking or refunds.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A massive winter storm made for a brutal travel day Sunday, with widespread cancellations and delays at some of the nation’s busiest airports.

Widespread snow, sleet, and freezing rain threatened nearly 180 million people — more than half the U.S. population — in a path stretching from the southern Rocky Mountains to New England, the National Weather Service stated. The storm, having swept through the South, moved into the Northeast and was expected to dump about 1 to 2 feet of snow from Washington through New York and Boston.

As of Sunday, over 11,400 flights were canceled according to the flight tracking service FlightAware, making this storm the largest cancellation event since the pandemic. Major airports, including LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International in New York, faced significant disruptions, with cancellations reaching 94% in some cases.

Travelers at Ron Reagan Washington National Airport learned that all departing flights had been canceled on the day, contributing to a chaotic travel landscape where airline recovery from the storm could take days.

In preparation for the storm, travelers were advised to stay informed, rebook flights, and understand their rights to refunds for canceled flights. As conditions remain unpredictable, the aviation industry gears up for a lengthy recovery period amidst cascading delays across networks.