Winter Storm Disrupts Thousands of Flights Across the U.S.
A major winter storm caused widespread travel disruptions across the eastern U.S. on Monday, as nearly 7,000 flights were delayed and over 2,600 were canceled. The storm, which began in the Ohio Valley, made its way toward the mid-Atlantic, severely impacting air travel in regions from Washington, D.C. to Dallas. The storm’s worst effects were felt in and around Washington, D.C., but delays were reported as far west as Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
By 5:45 p.m. ET, flight tracking service FlightAware reported that more than 6,900 flights had been delayed, while over 2,130 flights had been canceled. The storm brought freezing temperatures and snow to large parts of the U.S., with the Washington, D.C. area expected to receive up to a foot of snow, complicating travel further. Cold weather stretched down to the southern U.S., affecting both airports and ground transportation.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, one of the busiest airports in the region, was hit hardest by the storm. By mid-afternoon, the airport had canceled more than 300 flights, which accounted for 80% of its daily flight schedule. In addition to these cancellations, Dulles International Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport both experienced a third of their flights being canceled, leaving many passengers stranded or forced to make last-minute travel changes.
New York-area airports also saw major delays as the storm moved east. Each of the three major airports—John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty International—had about 200 flight delays. Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport also saw significant slowdowns, with hundreds of flights delayed and some canceled entirely.
The storm’s ripple effects were felt across the country, with airlines scrambling to adjust their schedules to cope with the severe weather. United, Southwest, American Airlines, and other carriers offered waivers for change fees and fare differences to travelers whose flights were disrupted by the storm. The decision to waive these fees allowed passengers to rebook their travel or make changes without incurring additional costs.
Airlines and airports advised travelers to check the status of their flights frequently, as the storm caused unpredictable disruptions. Many passengers experienced delays as airports struggled to handle the large volume of passengers during the ongoing weather conditions.
Federal forecasters warned that the storm’s impact could continue for several days, as it pushed toward the east coast and continued to spread cold temperatures across the U.S. The winter storm prompted winter weather advisories and warnings for regions from the Ohio Valley to the Mid-Atlantic, with cold temperatures expected to linger in the southern U.S. for the rest of the week.
For those affected by the storm, airlines encouraged passengers to monitor their travel plans closely, and many airports set up additional resources to help stranded passengers. With the storm showing no signs of letting up, travelers are advised to be prepared for continued delays and cancellations.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, cnbc.com