LAX records 151 delays and 5 cancellations as disruption spreads to London, Tokyo, and Paris

Disruption overview

On 11 May 2026, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) recorded 151 delays and 5 cancellations, with the worst disruption centered on Terminals 4, 5, and 7 and affecting American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. Long-haul departures to London, Tokyo, and Paris were held for 3 to 5 hours, while knock-on delays spread to Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport and San Francisco International Airport. Because the disruption appears to be tied to a mix of congestion, weather, and airline operations, what passengers may be owed will depend on the route, the carrier, and the exact cause of the delay or cancellation.

Disruption details

A major schedule breakdown hit Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on 11 May 2026, with 151 delays and 5 cancellations already affecting flights. The disruption is centered on Terminals 4, 5, and 7, putting pressure on operations for American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines.

For passengers, this has meant long lines, crowded gate areas, and hours of uncertainty. Security queues have spilled into parking structures, gate areas are overcrowded, and airlines are struggling to turn aircraft around on time. With 156 disrupted flights already recorded, the knock-on effect is likely being felt by thousands of travelers.

Some of the longest waits have hit long-haul services. Departures to London Heathrow Airport, Tokyo Narita International Airport, and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport have been held for 3 to 5 hours. Several regional flights have also been canceled, along with at least one international departure, leaving hundreds of passengers looking for hotel vouchers and rebookings.

The main pressure points so far are:

• 151 flights have been delayed and 5 have been canceled at LAX.

• Terminals 4, 5, and 7 are at the center of the disruption.

• Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport is reporting 6 significant delays on LAX-linked services, equal to a 33% delay rate.

• San Francisco International Airport is seeing 12 LAX-related delays, affecting about 35% of its shuttle operations.

The disruption isn't staying in Los Angeles. Miami and Chicago O'Hare are also seeing schedule slips because West Coast-based crew rotations are running late. That means even passengers who aren't flying through LAX may still feel the impact if their aircraft or crew is arriving from Southern California.

Airlines and aviation analysts are blaming a mix of severe air-traffic congestion over Southern California, low-visibility marine-layer weather, and general operational overstretch. LAX is trying to process one of the world's highest daily volumes of wide-body departures, and that leaves very little buffer when conditions start to worsen.

Airlines are urging passengers to use mobile apps and self-service kiosks instead of joining airport counters, where waits of around 4 hours are being reported. Some carriers are also prioritizing international slot preservation over domestic punctuality, which can push more delay onto shorter routes. No formal ground stop or regulatory intervention has been announced, but there is still no clear end time, and the disruption could continue into 12 May.

If your flight to or from LAX has been affected, what you're entitled to will depend on your route and the exact reason for the delay or cancellation. On US domestic routes, the main protections are usually refunds for canceled flights and help with rebooking. On some Europe-linked trips, especially flights involving Paris or London, passengers may have additional compensation rights if the airline was responsible for the disruption. If weather or air-traffic restrictions were the main cause, compensation may not apply. Even so, airlines should still keep you informed and provide care and assistance when needed. If you're unsure what applies to your flight, you can use AirHelp's free flight checker to understand your rights.

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