Winter Storm Disrupts US Travel, Causes Widespread Flight Cancellations
A powerful winter storm sweeping across the United States has led to widespread disruptions in travel, causing significant flight cancellations and delays. As of early Monday morning, approximately 3,800 flights were canceled, with over 1,000 additional flights delayed, according to FlightAware, a flight tracking service. This follows a staggering 11,000 cancellations reported over the previous Sunday.
Travel Chaos Amid Winter Storm
The storm brought freezing rain and heavy snowfall, creating hazardous travel conditions across many regions. Low pressure moving east over the Atlantic is expected to bring further heavy snow to the Northeast and freezing rain to parts of the Mid-Atlantic, as reported by the U.S. National Weather Service. The Appalachian Mountains are also expected to see significant snowfall, while rain spreads down the Southeast coast.
Major Airlines Affected
- American Airlines: The airline was hit hardest, with over 600 flight cancellations and about 135 delays.
- Other carriers: Republic Airways, JetBlue Airways, and Delta Air Lines also experienced significant disruptions.
These cancellations have caused considerable uncertainty for travelers. Many passengers turned to social media platforms like X to seek updates on their flights.
Federal Aviation Administration Advisory
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued warnings concerning weather-related constraints affecting major airports. Ground stops and delays could be implemented in Boston, New York City airports, Philadelphia, Newark, and Washington D.C. if conditions deteriorate.
Airlines’ Response to Disruptions
In response to the travel chaos, major U.S. airlines have introduced travel waivers and flexible rebooking options to accommodate affected passengers. However, the interconnected nature of airline operations means that cancellations can complicate efforts to restore normal service.
Impact Beyond Air Travel
The storm has also severely impacted road travel. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has warned that blizzard-like conditions could pose significant dangers for drivers. Additionally, power outages have affected hundreds of thousands of customers across multiple states, particularly Tennessee, which reported the highest number of outages. As of Monday morning, more than 820,000 customers were without electricity according to PowerOutage.us.
As the winter storm continues to disrupt daily life, many are urged to remain informed and prepared for ongoing cancellations and delays.
