A massive winter storm crippled U.S. air travel Sunday, canceling over 10,500 flights and stranding millions in the largest disruptions since the COVID era—exposing vulnerabilities in our overregulated aviation system that President Trump’s deregulation push aims to fix.
Story Snapshot
- Over 10,500 flights canceled Sunday alone, part of 14,100+ since Saturday, marking the highest rate since the pandemic at 29% of U.S. departures.
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport saw 99% of flights grounded; major hubs like Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, JFK, and LAX hammered.
- American Airlines axed 1,400+ flights (45% of schedule), Delta and Southwest 1,200+ each, amid snow, sleet, and ice affecting 180 million Americans.
- Airlines issued waivers for Jan 23-26 travel, but no hotel reimbursements; DOT mandates refunds for cancellations.
Storm Scale Dwarfs Recent History
The winter storm originated in the southern Rocky Mountains, blending cold air with southern moisture to unleash snow, sleet, and freezing rain across 20+ states from the Rockies to New England. It impacted nearly 180 million people during peak winter travel post-holidays. Sunday’s 10,500+ cancellations topped any day since COVID-19 peaks, surpassing the 2022 bomb cyclone’s 3,000+ and 2023 Northeast blizzard’s 2,500+. This multi-region assault overwhelmed de-icing and visibility, hitting busiest airports simultaneously.
Major Airlines and Airports Grounded
American Airlines canceled over 1,400 flights, 45% of its schedule. Delta and Southwest each scrapped 1,200+, United 860+, and JetBlue 570+ or 71% of operations. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport canceled 99% of its 420 departing flights. Disruptions rippled through Dallas-Fort Worth, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Atlanta—the nation’s busiest hub—JFK, LaGuardia, and LAX. Saturday saw over 4,000 delays or cancellations as the storm swept the South first.
Airline Responses and Traveler Options
Airlines like American, Delta, United, Southwest, and Spirit activated waivers for travel January 23-26, permitting penalty-free rebookings through January 28-29. Travelers must check apps or websites urgently for changes. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires full refunds for cancellations, but weather events exclude hotel or meal reimbursements. Cross-carrier partnerships offer limited rebooking seats amid backlogs. National Weather Service warnings prompted preemptive actions Saturday night.
Airlines prioritize safety to dodge liability, balancing costs of delays against customer retention. Operations chiefs relied on FlightAware and Cirium data for decisions, underscoring weather forecasts’ role in power dynamics with federal regulators.
Worst day for flight cancellations in the USA since the pandemic#WinterStorm #flightcancellations https://t.co/jt0tdTb5im
— Sally Gethin (@gethinsinflight) January 25, 2026
Economic and Social Toll on Americans
Billions in daily losses mount from cancellations, stranded passengers, and lost revenue, straining airlines with refund demands. Families face separations during vital winter trips, amplifying stress in high-volume post-holiday travel. Northeast and Southern communities bear the brunt, with millions at 10+ major hubs affected. Long-term, eroded trust could dent winter travel confidence, while aviation strains ground crews and pushes forecasting tech.