Massive winter storm paralyzes U.S. travel as thousands of flights are scrapped

A powerful winter storm sweeping much of the United States upended travel plans on Sunday, January 25, 2026, as airlines canceled more than 10,000 flights in a single day and airports warned passengers to expect severe disruptions. The storm’s reach extended from the southern Rockies through the Midwest and into the Northeast, bringing snow, sleet and freezing rain that created dangerous driving conditions and complicated efforts to restore normal operations.

Flight tracking data cited by the Associated Press showed more than 14,100 U.S. flights had been canceled since Saturday, with Sunday accounting for the bulk of the cancellations. Airlines across the country were forced to cut schedules as crews and aircraft were displaced, runways and taxiways required continuous treatment, and de-icing queues stretched for hours at major hubs.

Airports from Texas and the Southeast to the Mid-Atlantic and New England reported cascading delays and cancellations, with particular strain at large connecting airports. Travelers described long lines, rapidly changing gate information and limited rebooking options, especially on routes into the Northeast where forecasters expected the heaviest snowfall.

In the Washington area, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport warned that nearly all departing flights scheduled for Sunday were canceled, underscoring how quickly conditions deteriorated as the storm advanced east. Airlines including American, Delta, Southwest, United and JetBlue reported hundreds to more than a thousand cancellations each across their networks as the weather system intensified.

The National Weather Service issued a wide swath of winter weather alerts, with some communities facing both heavy snow and a band of damaging ice that threatened power lines and trees. Emergency officials in several states urged residents to limit travel, stock essential supplies and watch for changing local guidance as the storm shifted.

Consumer advocates noted that travelers are entitled to refunds if a flight is canceled and they choose not to travel, including reimbursement for unused add-ons such as seat upgrades or checked-bag fees, even when airlines offer rebooking. Airlines advised passengers to use mobile apps and online tools to manage reservations where possible, though capacity constraints meant some travelers could be rebooked days later.

Meteorologists said the storm’s heaviest impacts were expected to move through the Northeast, with some major metro areas forecast to receive significant snow totals. As crews worked to clear runways and reposition aircraft, the airline industry warned that recovery could take time, with residual delays likely after the storm exits and schedules are rebuilt.