A significant winter storm has severely disrupted travel in various regions of the U.S. on Monday, leading to the cancellation of thousands of flights, the suspension of local and national train services, and putting numerous areas under a state of emergency.
As reported by the National Weather Service (NWS), parts of New York City and areas in Long Island received as much as 20 inches of snowfall from Sunday through Monday morning, with sections of New Jersey, such as Freehold, reporting nearly 19 inches of snow overnight.
The storm is likely to essentially bring all travel to a standstill on Monday, with its effects expected to persist for several days as crews and aircraft are repositioned. Here’s the latest update:
Monday Flight Cancellations Exceeding 5,000
FlightAware reported that, as of 6:30 a.m. EST on Monday, over 5,500 flights were cancelled, primarily in the Northeast region and especially in the area’s busiest airports.
This includes over 500 cancellations at both JFK International (JFK) and LaGuardia (LGA) in New York, constituting the majority of those hubs’ schedules, along with more than 400 cancellations at both Boston Logan (BOS) and Newark Liberty (EWR), which also represents almost the entirety of their schedules.
Additional airports in the region facing significant disruptions include Philadelphia International (PHL) with over 300 cancellations, as well as Reagan National (DCA) and Baltimore Washington (BWI).
The ripple effects of the storm have also affected operations in regions not directly impacted by the weather, as crews and planes are stuck in the Northeast. This includes airports like Orlando International (MCO), Ft. Lauderdale International (FLL), Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL), and Chicago O’Hare (ORD), all experiencing higher than usual cancellations even though most of these airports are not facing snow on the ground.
Regional Airport Closures
The FAA has mandated the complete closure of several smaller regional airports on Monday.
This includes Atlantic City International (ACY), temporarily closed while snow removal is conducted; New Bedford (EWB); Wilmington (ILG); Long Island MacArthur (ISP), which will remain closed until at least 11 a.m.; Morristown Municipal (MMU), with a closure lasting until at least noon; and Rhode Island T.F. Green (PVD), which is closed until 3 p.m. EST at the earliest.
Airlines’ Waivers
While uncertainties linger about the duration of the storm’s travel disruption, as of Monday, airlines are permitting many passengers to rebook their flights without incurring penalties. It is anticipated that most of these waivers will be extended once the full extent of the storm’s impact is assessed.
American Airlines
American Airlines has issued a travel waiver impacting 17 Northeast airports, including major hubs and coastal cities like Boston (BOS), New York (JFK and LGA), Newark (EWR), Philadelphia (PHL), and Washington, D.C. (DCA and IAD). This waiver applies to passengers who bought tickets by February 19 for travel originally set through February 25. Travelers are allowed to rebook for journeys beginning as early as February 20 or as late as February 26, 2026, without incurring any change fees or fare increases.
Delta Air Lines
Delta’s waiver now includes travel to, from, or through various key Northeast airports, such as Boston (BOS), New York (JFK and LGA), Newark (EWR), Hartford (BDL), Baltimore (BWI), and Providence (PVD).
The waiver encompasses tickets issued on or before February 21 for travel spanning from February 22 to February 25. Delta allows travelers to rebook for new journeys on or before February 27, waiving both the change fee and any fare difference. If travel is rescheduled for a later date, the change fee may be waived, but fare differences will apply.
United Airlines
United has enacted a “Northeast Winter Weather” waiver for various airports, including Newark (EWR), Washington-Dulles (IAD), Washington-National (DCA), Boston (BOS), Philadelphia (PHL), and Baltimore (BWI). This waiver applies to all tickets purchased on or before February 20 for travel scheduled between February 22 and February 25. United will waive change fees and fare differences for new flights operated by United that depart by February 27.
JetBlue Airways
JetBlue has established a waiver for travel through New York (JFK, LGA, and EWR), Boston (BOS), Philadelphia (PHL), Hartford (BDL), and several other regional destinations, applicable for flights through February 26. Passengers can rebook for travel through Friday, February 27, 2026, without incurring any change fees, cancellation fees, or fare differences.
Fonte: Travel Market Report
