A massive winter storm stretching from the Southern Rockies to the Atlantic coast has triggered a historic travel meltdown, resulting in more than 11,400 flight cancellations on Sunday alone. The extreme weather—bringing heavy snow, ice, and freezing temperatures—has left over 180 million Americans under weather alerts and brought major aviation hubs to a standstill.
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The disruption has been near-total at several major terminals. LaGuardia suspended operations entirely on Sunday, while D.C.’s Reagan National saw a staggering 99% of its departures canceled.
- Regional Impacts: Philadelphia saw a 94% cancellation rate, with Dallas and Atlanta also suffering major hits to their schedules.
- Airline Casualties: American Airlines led the disruptions with 1,800 cancellations, followed closely by Delta (1,470) and Southwest (1,340). JetBlue was hit hardest proportionally, scrapping 72% of its entire Sunday schedule.
Navigating the Aftermath
The “cascading effect” of this storm means that even as the snow stops, the logistical nightmare is just beginning. Travelers are facing a multi-day wait to clear the backlog, as most flights were already booked to near-capacity.
Crucial Tip: Remember that under federal law, if an airline cancels your flight and you decide not to travel, you are entitled to a full cash refund, not just a travel voucher.
As of Monday morning, another 3,000 flights have already been removed from the boards as the Northeast continues to dig out from record-setting snowfall.
