- Flight Disruptions
- Winter Storm Fern causes widespread U.S. flight cancellations and delays
Winter Storm Fern causes widespread U.S. flight cancellations and delays
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Checked by Matteo Floris
Last updated on February 10, 2026
9
Affected airports
5
Affected airlines
9
Affected airports
5
Affected airlines
What Happened
Winter Storm Fern triggered severe U.S. air travel disruption over a late-January weekend, with more than 19,400 cancellations across the country and thousands more into Monday. Major hubs including Dallas–Fort Worth, Charlotte, JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Boston Logan, and Reagan National faced the heaviest impact. Airlines reported high cancellation rates and issued flexible rebooking policies, while some added capacity to help passengers reroute. Delays also mounted as ground holds were implemented at multiple airports during snow and ice operations.
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 system known as Winter Storm Fern caused severe disruption to U.S. air travel over a late-January weekend, with extensive cancellations and delays across multiple major hubs.
Over the weekend from Saturday through early Monday morning, more than 19,400 flights were canceled nationwide. Sunday alone saw over 11,000 cancellations, with additional cancellations continuing into Monday morning. Certain airports experienced especially high impacts. Dallas–Fort Worth International (DFW) canceled roughly 75% of its schedule, affecting about 3,200 flights. Charlotte Douglas International Airport reported nearly 2,000 cancellations. In the New York area, JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark each recorded around 1,500 cancellations. On Monday, Boston Logan reported about 60% of departing flights canceled.
Airlines reported high disruption rates on Sunday. American Airlines canceled nearly half of its schedule (around 1,900 flights), while Delta reported approximately 1,500 cancellations. One report indicated that 38% of U.S. flights were canceled that day, with American Airlines at 49%, Delta at 36%, United at 33%, and Southwest at 26%. Among individual airports, Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) saw a 96% cancellation rate, with LaGuardia, DFW, PHL, Newark, JFK, and Charlotte also recording cancellation rates of 80% or more.
Disruptions continued into Monday with thousands of additional cancellations and delays as airports implemented ground holds and worked to clear snow and ice. JFK experienced delays of up to 270 minutes, and Reagan National averaged approximately four-hour delays. Ground delays were also noted at DFW, Boston, Philadelphia, and Newark. On Monday, about 63% of flights from Boston and 50% from LaGuardia were canceled, with nearly half canceled at JFK, Newark, and Reagan National.
Airlines introduced mitigation measures to assist travelers. American Airlines added more than 6,200 extra seats, including approximately 3,200 at DFW and 3,000 across routes between Charlotte and Chicago. Multiple carriers offered waived change and cancellation fees for trips through affected cities over the weekend. Travelers were advised to monitor flight status closely via airline websites or apps and to consult real-time tracking tools for current delays and cancellations.
The disruption also had knock-on effects beyond the storm’s core. At Miami International Airport, over half of one day’s cancellations were attributed to broader network impacts tied to the storm, despite Miami not being in the heaviest weather.
Overall, Winter Storm Fern produced large-scale cancellations and delays across the U.S., with notable impacts at DFW, Charlotte, the New York airports, Boston, and Washington, as airlines and airports worked to restore operations.
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
Delays and Cancellations
Cause
Weather issue
Status
Past disruption
Compensation
May qualify for compensation
Airlines affected
American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, JetBlue
Airports affected
Dallas–Fort Worth International, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Boston Logan, Ronald Reagan Washington National, Philadelphia, Miami International Airport
Checked by
Matteo Floris
Date updated
February 10, 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.
