- Flight Disruptions
- U.S. winter storm halts air travel as 10,000+ flights are canceled
U.S. winter storm halts air travel as 10,000+ flights are canceled
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Checked by Matteo Floris
Last updated on February 9, 2026
11,400
Affected flights
4
Affected airports
5
Affected airlines
What Happened
A major winter storm caused widespread U.S. air travel disruption, with more than 10,000 flights canceled in a single day. LaGuardia, JFK, Philadelphia, and Reagan National reported exceptionally high cancellation rates. Airlines most affected included American, Delta, Southwest, United, and JetBlue. Recovery was expected to take days due to network-wide aircraft and crew repositioning and slow turnarounds from de-icing. Passengers were advised to rebook through their airline and were reminded they are entitled to refunds for canceled flights, including unused ancillary fees.
Passengers affected by this flight disruption may be eligible for compensation of up to US$650 under passenger rights regulations. Eligibility depends on the circumstances of the disruption.
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Flight Disruption Details
A powerful winter storm sweeping from the southern Rockies to New England caused widespread disruption to U.S. air travel, resulting in one of the worst single-day cancellation totals since the pandemic. More than 10,000 flights were canceled nationwide in a single day, with sources citing figures ranging from over 10,800 to about 11,600 cancellations.
Major Northeast hubs experienced especially high disruption. LaGuardia Airport canceled approximately 91% of flights, JFK around 80%, and Philadelphia International Airport about 94%. In Washington, D.C., Reagan National Airport effectively halted operations for the day, grounding roughly 420 departures. Additional hubs with significant impacts included Dallas–Fort Worth, Charlotte, and Atlanta.
Several large U.S. carriers were heavily affected. American Airlines canceled over 1,400 flights, roughly 45–46% of its schedule. Delta and Southwest each canceled more than 1,200 flights. United canceled between roughly 860 and 900 flights. JetBlue reported more than 570 cancellations, representing about 71% of its daily operations.
Operational recovery was expected to take time due to the scale of the disruption across airline networks. Repositioning aircraft and flight crews, alongside extended de-icing procedures, slowed turnarounds and complicated efforts to restore normal schedules.
Passengers were advised to contact their airlines as early as possible to rebook. Those already at the airport were encouraged to queue for customer service, while travelers off-site were directed to call or use online channels. Many carriers offered rebooking to later dates at no additional charge, subject to seat availability. Some airlines also provided options to move passengers onto partner carriers when possible.
Travelers were reminded that when a flight is canceled, they are entitled to a full refund, even for non-refundable tickets. Refunds also apply to unused ancillary purchases, such as baggage fees and seat upgrades.
This event led to a significant, system-wide interruption, with multiple key airports and airlines affected at once and a multi-day recovery likely as operations stabilized.
Know your rights
These are your air passenger rights
When your flight's disrupted, you have rights. Most passenger protection laws cover the following:
Rerouting or refund
If your flight is canceled, your airline must provide an alternative. Some laws say you can choose a full refund instead.
Food and essential care
Providing food and drinks is a basic right under many regulations. Typically after a delay of a few hours.
Accommodation
Some passenger rights say the airline must provide accommodation when your journey is delayed overnight.
Compensation
Good passenger rights ensure passengers get fairly compensated for delays and cancellations. Try our compensation check and find out how much money we can get you.
This advice is provided to help you if your flight is delayed or canceled. However, the exact care and compensation you are entitled to will depend on your specific circumstances and flight. Always follow the directions of your airline, particularly with regard to check-in and boarding times.
Quick facts
Summary
Disruption
Cancellations
Cause
Weather issue
Status
Past disruption
Compensation
May qualify for compensation
Flights affected
11400
Airlines affected
American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, United, JetBlue
Airports affected
LaGuardia Airport, JFK, Philadelphia International Airport, Reagan National Airport
Checked by
Matteo Floris
Date updated
February 9, 2026
What To Do If Your Flight Is Cancelled
If you're traveling to or from the European Union, here's what to do when your flight is unexpectedly scrubbed:
Gather evidence that your flight was delayed, canceled, or overbooked.
Get the airline to provide written confirmation of the disruption and the reason behind it.
Request an alternative flight to your destination — or a refund if you no longer wish to travel.
Make a note of the arrival time at your final destination.
Ask the airline to provide vouchers for meals and refreshments.
Avoid signing documents or accepting offers that may waive your passenger rights.
If an overnight stay is required, ask the airline to provide accommodation.
Save receipts for any additional expenses caused by the disruption.
