6101 Flight Cancellations Set to Disrupt US Travel This Sunday as Delta, Southwest, Republic, American, Spirit, JetBlue, and Other Airlines Face Severe Turmoil with Superstorm Fern Hitting Atlanta, Dallas, New York, Chicago, Charlotte and More
This Sunday, January 25, 2026, the U.S. aviation system is bracing for massive disruptions due to Superstorm Fern, which is wreaking havoc across the country. With over 6,100 flight cancellations already forecasted, major airlines including Delta, Southwest, Republic, American, Spirit, JetBlue, and several others are facing severe turmoil. The storm is heavily impacting key hubs, including Atlanta, Dallas, New York, Chicago, Charlotte, and more, causing widespread flight cancellations and delays. The storm’s extensive reach and intensity are expected to paralyze airports and disrupt both domestic and international travel. This article delves into the full scope of the disruptions, the affected airlines, and the airports where travelers should expect significant delays and cancellations due to Superstorm F
Winter Storm Fern: The 2,000-Mile Ice Monster
A Historic Weather Event
Winter Storm Fern, referred to as “The 2,000-Mile Ice Monster,” is causing unprecedented disruptions across the United States. Affecting over 180 million Americans, this storm is one of the most extensive in recent history, impacting both domestic and international travel. The storm’s vast reach and intensity have forced thousands of flight cancellations and grounded operations at major hubs.
Key Impacts:
- Sunday Cancellation Tally: Over 5,000 flights scheduled for Sunday have been preemptively cancelled, pushing total weekend cancellations past 8,000.
- The “Atlanta Wall”: Delta’s primary hub, Atlanta (ATL), is seeing 0.2 to 0.5 inches of ice accumulation, grounding much of Delta’s operations. Since 75% of Delta’s network touches ATL, this creates a nationwide disruption.
- The “Northeast Foot”: Major airports like JFK, EWR, BOS, and PHL are bracing for 6–12 inches of snow. Air India and Emirates have already cancelled all flights to/from New York and Newark for Sunday and Monday.
- Cascading Crew Displacement: Even in cities with clear weather, flights are being cancelled because crews are stranded in ice-affected hubs like Dallas, Charlotte, and Memphis.
Scheduled Flight Cancellations and Delays in the US for Tomorrow
The table below outlines the projected flight cancellations and delays across various US airlines for tomorrow. Republic Airlines leads the list with the highest number of cancellations, totaling 754 flights, which accounts for 73% of its operations. This is followed by Delta Air Lines and American Airlines, both reporting over 700 cancellations and around 20-23% of their flights cancelled. Endeavor Air and PSA Airlines, which are regional carriers under Delta and American respectively, are also significantly impacted, with 65% of their flights cancelled.
Southwest Airlines shows 672 cancellations but maintains a relatively lower cancellation rate of 17%, reflecting a higher volume of operations despite the weather disruptions. Other airlines, including United, JetBlue, and Spirit, also have significant cancellations, but their percentages are lower, ranging from 3% to 12%. Smaller airlines such as Mesa (UAL) and Breeze Airways have a smaller number of cancelled flights, but their cancellation percentages are still noteworthy.
This data highlights the extensive impact of the ongoing weather-related disruptions, particularly affecting major hubs and regional airlines. Travelers should prepare for significant delays and cancellations, especially with airlines like Delta, American Airlines, and Republic. The situation may continue to evolve, and it’s important to stay updated through airline apps or websites.
| Airline | Cancelled (#) | Cancelled (%) | Delayed (#) | Delayed (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic | 754 | 73% | 0 | 0% |
| Delta Air Lines | 750 | 23% | 1 | 0% |
| American Airlines | 724 | 22% | 1 | 0% |
| Southwest | 672 | 17% | 4 | 0% |
| Endeavor Air (DAL) | 457 | 65% | 0 | 0% |
| PSA Airlines (AAL) | 422 | 65% | 0 | 0% |
| United | 350 | 12% | 4 | 0% |
| Piedmont (AAL) | 243 | 58% | 0 | 0% |
| Envoy Air (AAL) | 224 | 23% | 2 | 0% |
| Frontier | 169 | 27% | 1 | 0% |
| GoJet (UAL) | 129 | 53% | 0 | 0% |
| Spirit | 122 | 24% | 0 | 0% |
| SkyWest | 121 | 5% | 0 | 0% |
| JetBlue | 103 | 12% | 2 | 0% |
| CommuteAir (UAL) | 97 | 44% | 0 | 0% |
| Cape Air | 82 | 37% | 0 | 0% |
| Mesa (UAL) | 69 | 32% | 0 | 0% |
| Alaska Airlines | 24 | 3% | 1 | 0% |
| Breeze Airways | 8 | 3% | 0 | 0% |
| Hawaiian Airlines | 1 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
Airport Disruptions: Sunday Forecast by Major U.S. Hubs
The impact of Winter Storm Fern is being felt most acutely at major U.S. airports, with widespread cancellations and delays.
| Hub Airport | Expected Condition | Cancellation Risk | Data Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta (ATL) | Catastrophic Ice / Freezing Rain | Extreme | 1,400+ Delta flights projected cancelled |
| Dallas (DFW) | Freezing Temps / Ground Ice | High | 75% of regional departures cancelled |
| New York (JFK/EWR) | 10–12″ Snow / Strong Winds | Extreme | All international arrivals suspended |
| Chicago (ORD) | Sub-zero Wind Chill / Light Snow | Moderate | Triple-digit delay counts reported |
| Charlotte (CLT) | Ice changing to 4–8″ Snow | High | Major “American Airlines” hub disruption |
These conditions are causing major disruptions, with significant cancellation risks, particularly at hubs like Atlanta, New York, and Dallas.
Flight Cancellations Across the US by Origin Airports
As Winter Storm Fern continues to disrupt the US aviation system, major airports across the country are facing extensive cancellations and delays. Particularly affected airports like Charlotte/Douglas Intl (CLT), Atlanta (ATL), and Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) have seen a significant impact, with cancellation rates reaching as high as 70% in some locations. These disruptions are not only caused by the storm’s intensity but also by the snow and ice accumulation in the affected regions. For example, LaGuardia (LGA) and Reagan National (DCA) have proactively cancelled flights to avoid worsening ground conditions, while Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL), Delta’s primary hub, has seen over 300 cancellations, leading to a cascade effect on flights nationwide.
The table below summarizes the flight cancellations and delays for airports across the United States due to the storm’s disruption:
| Airport | Cancelled (#) | Cancelled (%) | Delayed (#) | Delayed (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte/Douglas Intl (CLT) | 467 | 70% | 0 | 0% |
| Hartsfield-Jackson Intl (ATL) | 339 | 31% | 1 | 0% |
| LaGuardia (LGA) | 326 | 69% | 0 | 0% |
| Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (DFW) | 313 | 33% | 3 | 0% |
| Reagan National (DCA) | 313 | 73% | 0 | 0% |
| John F Kennedy Intl (JFK) | 231 | 41% | 4 | 0% |
| Newark Liberty Intl (EWR) | 221 | 43% | 2 | 0% |
| Boston Logan Intl (BOS) | 161 | 34% | 1 | 0% |
| Washington Dulles Intl (IAD) | 160 | 50% | 0 | 0% |
| Baltimore/Washington Intl (BWI) | 144 | 58% | 1 | 0% |
| Raleigh-Durham Intl (RDU) | 131 | 70% | 0 | 0% |
| Nashville Intl (BNA) | 124 | 41% | 0 | 0% |
| Chicago O’Hare Intl (ORD) | 114 | 10% | 3 | 0% |
| Orlando Intl (MCO) | 89 | 15% | 1 | 0% |
| Philadelphia Intl (PHL) | 85 | 25% | 0 | 0% |
| John Glenn Columbus Intl (CMH) | 76 | 59% | 0 | 0% |
| Fort Lauderdale Intl (FLL) | 64 | 16% | 2 | 0% |
| Austin-Bergstrom Intl (AUS) | 63 | 24% | 0 | 0% |
| Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky (CVG) | 63 | 49% | 0 | 0% |
| Denver Intl (DEN) | 59 | 6% | 0 | 0% |
| Pittsburgh Intl (PIT) | 58 | 44% | 0 | 0% |
| Houston Bush Int’ctl (IAH) | 57 | 9% | 0 | 0% |
| Richmond Intl (RIC) | 55 | 77% | 0 | 0% |
| Dallas Love Fld (DAL) | 49 | 24% | 0 | 0% |
The significant impact of Winter Storm Fern is felt across key U.S. airports, with cancellations particularly affecting hubs like Charlotte, Atlanta, and Dallas-Fort Worth. Travelers should expect continued disruptions as the storm progresses, with more cancellations anticipated. Airlines and airports are focused on recovery efforts, but delays and cancellations are likely to persist.
Flight Cancellations Across the US by Destination Airports
The ongoing disruption caused by Winter Storm Fern is significantly affecting flights arriving at major U.S. airports. With cancellations concentrated in airports directly impacted by the storm, several major destinations are experiencing high numbers of cancelled flights. For example, Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (DFW) leads with the highest number of cancellations at 121, accounting for 12% of its flights. Other airports like OKC Will Rogers Intl (OKC) and Lubbock Smith Intl (LBB) are experiencing relatively high cancellation percentages, with 43% and 30% of their flights cancelled, respectively. This situation is causing considerable delays and disruptions for travelers, particularly those arriving at major hubs such as JFK, EWR, and PHL, which are seeing cancellations and delays due to weather conditions on the tarmac.
This table below provides an overview of the cancellations and delays affecting flights arriving at various U.S. destinations.
| Airport | Cancelled (#) | Cancelled (%) | Delayed (#) | Delayed (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (DFW) | 121 | 12% | 0 | 0% |
| OKC Will Rogers Intl (OKC) | 38 | 43% | 0 | 0% |
| Lubbock Smith Intl (LBB) | 13 | 30% | 0 | 0% |
| John F Kennedy Intl (JFK) | 231 | 41% | 4 | 0% |
| Newark Liberty Intl (EWR) | 221 | 43% | 2 | 0% |
| Philadelphia Intl (PHL) | 85 | 25% | 0 | 0% |
| Boston Logan Intl (BOS) | 161 | 34% | 1 | 0% |
| Washington Dulles Intl (IAD) | 160 | 50% | 0 | 0% |
| Baltimore/Washington Intl (BWI) | 144 | 58% | 1 | 0% |
| Raleigh-Durham Intl (RDU) | 131 | 70% | 0 | 0% |
| Nashville Intl (BNA) | 124 | 41% | 0 | 0% |
| Chicago O’Hare Intl (ORD) | 114 | 10% | 3 | 0% |
| Orlando Intl (MCO) | 89 | 15% | 1 | 0% |
| John Glenn Columbus Intl (CMH) | 76 | 59% | 0 | 0% |
| Fort Lauderdale Intl (FLL) | 64 | 16% | 2 | 0% |
| Austin-Bergstrom Intl (AUS) | 63 | 24% | 0 | 0% |
The cancellations and delays are a direct result of the severe weather conditions triggered by Winter Storm Fern, with airports in the storm’s direct path, like Dallas, New York, and Philadelphia, seeing the largest impacts. As the storm continues to move across the U.S., further disruptions are expected, with travelers urged to stay informed through their airline’s mobile app for real-time updates.
Airline Waivers: What You Need to Know
Travelers affected by these disruptions are eligible for rebooking or refunds, depending on their airline. Here’s a summary of the major airline waivers:
Airline Waivers:
- Delta: 41 airports covered; rebook by January 28, 2026.
- American Airlines: 34 airports covered; includes Northeast and Southern hubs.
- United: 35 airports covered; includes Mid-Atlantic corridor.
- International Airlines: Air India, Emirates, and Lufthansa are offering flexible rebooking for passengers impacted by the Middle East airspace closures or the US storm.
Crucial Tip: Use the mobile apps for rebooking and avoid calling airlines. Call centers are overwhelmed with wait times of 4 to 7 hours due to the high volume of re-accommodations.
Key Travel Tips Amid the Crisis
- Check Flight Status: Always confirm your flight status through the airline’s mobile app or website.
- Consider Alternative Routes: Be prepared for long delays, especially if your flight is diverted due to storm or geopolitical restrictions.
- Stay Updated on Waivers: Ensure you’re aware of rebooking options if your flight is cancelled or delayed.
Superstorm Fern is set to disrupt US travel this Sunday, January 25, 2026, causing over 6,100 flight cancellations. Major airlines like Delta, Southwest, American, Spirit, and JetBlue face turmoil as the storm hits key airports in Atlanta, Dallas, New York, Chicago, and Charlotte.
Conclusion
Superstorm Fern is set to disrupt US travel this Sunday, January 25, 2026, with over 6,100 flight cancellations. Major airlines including Delta, Southwest, Republic, American, Spirit, JetBlue, and others are facing severe turmoil due to the storm’s impact on key airports in Atlanta, Dallas, New York, Chicago, Charlotte, and more. The widespread disruptions caused by the storm highlight the vulnerabilities of the aviation industry to extreme weather events. Travelers should be prepared for significant delays and cancellations, with airlines working on recovery efforts. The ongoing impact of Superstorm Fern underscores the importance of staying informed through airline apps for the latest updates on flight statuses and rebooking options.
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