Flight Delays and Cancellations Continue Across the U.S. as Winter Storm Fern Lingers

U.S. Flight Cancellations Remain Elevated

Winter Storm Fern continues to disrupt flights across the South, Midwest, and Northeast, with airlines unable to fully restart schedules after the weekend collapse. The biggest issue is not just the weather itself. It is the aftershock. Aircraft and crews are stranded out of position, which makes restoring normal operations extremely difficult even when skies briefly clear.

Airlines are proactively canceling flights to avoid stranding planes in icy conditions and to preserve crews for recovery, but that strategy keeps cancellation numbers high in the short term.

Airports Facing the Worst Disruptions Right Now

Several of the country’s most important airline hubs remain under heavy strain. When these airports slow down, the entire national flight network feels it.

Most impacted airports include:

• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW):
One of the hardest hit hubs, with ongoing cancellations due to snow, ice, and extreme cold affecting ground operations.

• Boston Logan International Airport (BOS): Heavy snowfall and low visibility have resulted in large scale cancellations and delays.

• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

• LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR):
The New York area airspace remains one of the most constrained in the country, with cascading delays across the Northeast.

• Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA): FAA advisories warn that additional ground stops may be imposed if weather worsens.

• Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL):
Even limited disruption here has nationwide consequences due to Atlanta’s role as the world’s busiest airport.

Because these airports are major hubs, travelers far outside the storm zone may still see canceled flights.

Airlines Canceling the Most Flights

Several major carriers continue to report significant disruption as they work through backlogs:

• American Airlines: Leading all carriers in cancellations, with hundreds of flights still scrubbed due to its heavy exposure at DFW and East Coast hubs.

• Delta Air Lines: Operating a reduced schedule while monitoring conditions at Atlanta, Boston, and New York.

• United Airlines: Waivers remain in effect across large parts of the Eastern and Southern U.S.

• JetBlue: Experiencing high cancellation rates, particularly in the Northeast.

Most airlines have issued travel waivers allowing free rebooking or date changes for impacted passengers.

The Problem Has Shifted From Weather to Logistics

The biggest challenge facing airlines now is no longer fresh snowfall or freezing rain. It is where aircraft and crews ended up after the weekend collapse.

During the height of Winter Storm Fern, airlines grounded flights to avoid stranding planes in unsafe conditions. That strategy reduced immediate chaos, but it left hundreds of aircraft and flight crews out of position across the country. When aircraft and crews cannot reach major hubs like Dallas, New York, Boston, or Washington, hundreds of downstream flights are affected nationwide. Even flights between cities with clear weather may be canceled simply because the aircraft never arrived.

At the same time, dangerous road conditions, widespread power outages, and airport staffing challenges are slowing ground operations, further complicating recovery. More than 700,000 customers across the South remain without power, particularly in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana, making it harder for airports and ground crews to operate normally. Aviation experts warn that flight delays and cancellations may continue for several days, even after the storm fully exits the region, as airlines work to realign crews, aircraft, and ground operations amid ongoing infrastructure strain.

What Travelers Should Know Right Now

• Check your flight status before leaving for the airport, even if it looked fine earlier.

• Monitor airline apps and text alerts closely. Schedules are changing quickly.

• Most airlines are allowing free changes under weather waivers.

• If your flight is canceled and you choose not to travel, U.S. law generally entitles you to a refund, even on many nonrefundable tickets.

• Avoid tight connections through major hubs until operations stabilize.

FAQ: Winter Storm Fern Flight Cancellations

Are flights still being canceled today?


Yes. Thousands of flights are still canceled or delayed across major U.S. airports.

Which airports are most affected right now?


DFW, BOS, JFK, LGA, EWR, ATL, DCA, and IAD remain among the most disrupted.

Which airlines are canceling the most flights?


American Airlines, Delta, United, JetBlue, and several regional carriers.

Will flight disruptions continue after the storm ends?


Yes. Because aircraft and crews are out of position, delays and cancellations may persist for days.