Thousands of Travelers Stranded in US as Skywest, Delta, Southwest, Envoy, Republic and More Airlines Cancel Nearly 2000 Flights and 4,657 Delays at Chicago, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Detroit, New York, Dallas and Others
Published on
March 16, 2026
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A powerful winter storm sweeping across the United States has left thousands of travelers stranded, with major disruptions hitting airports in Chicago, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Detroit, New York, and Dallas. Skywest, Delta, Southwest, Envoy, Republic, and other airlines have been forced to cancel nearly 2000 flights and delay 4,657 others, creating chaos for passengers trying to make their way to destinations. Chicago O’Hare, Minneapolis-St Paul, and Atlanta are among the hardest-hit airports, where flight cancellations and delays are creating ripple effects throughout the country. As the storm intensifies, travelers face long waits, crowded terminals, and mounting frustration. With snow, ice, and blizzard conditions making travel dangerous, passengers are left with few options but to brace for further disruptions until the storm passes.
Record Disruptions: Total Delays and Cancellations
As of today, the United States is experiencing:
- Total Delays: 4,657 flights delayed within, into, or out of the U.S.
- Total Cancellations: 1,976 flights cancelled within, into, or out of the U.S.
The impact of the storm is evident across multiple airports, affecting both major international hubs and regional airports, with severe disruptions reported throughout the country.
Airports and Airlines Hit Hardest by the Winter Storm
The storm’s impact is particularly severe in the northern and central U.S., where airports are struggling to cope with the extreme weather. Airports like Chicago O’Hare International (ORD), Minneapolis-St Paul International (MSP), and Detroit Metro Wayne County (DTW) have faced major flight cancellations and delays, with hundreds of flights grounded.
At Chicago O’Hare (ORD), one of the busiest airports in the U.S., a significant portion of flights have been cancelled or delayed, reflecting the widespread nature of the storm’s impact. Similarly, Minneapolis-St Paul International (MSP), located in one of the hardest-hit areas, has seen its operations severely disrupted with numerous flight cancellations and delays.
Airlines such as American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Delta Air Lines have been especially affected by the severe weather. With American Airlines reporting the most significant delays, passengers are facing long waits and disruptions. Southwest Airlines, known for its large domestic network, has also faced a surge in cancellations, affecting a significant number of travellers across the U.S.
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AirlineCancellationsDelaysDelta Air Lines418226Southwest Airlines169459Envoy Air (AAL)145148Republic Airways13885American Airlines131671Endeavor Air (DAL)8576United Airlines70434Spirit Airlines69147GoJet Airlines (UAL)6930PSA Airlines (AAL)4366Allegiant Air3163Frontier Airlines1492Mesa Airlines (UAL)1211Sun Country Airlines117Hawaiian Airlines1030Alaska Airlines890Contour Airlines617CommuteAir (UAL)26JetBlue1195
Smaller carriers, like Envoy Air (AAL) and Republic Airways, have also reported widespread cancellations and delays. These airlines, which serve as regional feeders for larger carriers, have been particularly impacted by the storm’s force, further adding to the chaos in the air travel system.
Analysis of Affected Passengers: What You Need to Know
The storm has disrupted air travel from coast to coast, with midwestern and northeastern airports hit the hardest. Chicago, Minneapolis, and Detroit are among the worst affected, but airports across the east coast, including LaGuardia (LGA) and John F. Kennedy (JFK), have also experienced delays and cancellations, though to a lesser extent. Additionally, airports in Florida and the West Coast such as Miami International (MIA), San Francisco International (SFO), and Los Angeles International (LAX) have seen delays, though the cancellations have been relatively lower.
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Airport NameCancelled FlightsDelayed FlightsChicago O’Hare Intl (ORD)729695Minneapolis/St Paul Intl (MSP)66043Chicago Midway Intl (MDW)10639Hartsfield-Jackson Intl (ATL)87205Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW)74106Eppley Airfield (OMA)839Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (DFW)68320Dubai Int’l (DXB)71144Appleton Intl (ATW)640Joe Foss Fld (FSD)570Denver Intl (DEN)55288LaGuardia (LGA)45115Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX)48138Kansas City Intl (MCI)4126Fort Lauderdale Intl (FLL)44252Harry Reid Intl (LAS)42108Orlando Intl (MCO)46165Los Angeles Intl (LAX)38175Green Bay/Austin Straubel Intl (GRB)370Charlotte/Douglas Intl (CLT)35118Newark Liberty Intl (EWR)35107Milwaukee Mitchell Intl Airport (MKE)3423Des Moines Intl (DSM)3416Tampa Intl (TPA)2768St Louis Lambert Intl (STL)2945Houston Bush Int’ctl (IAH)2983Dane Co Rgnl (MSN)3529Boston Logan Intl (BOS)27101John F Kennedy Intl (JFK)23119San Francisco Int’l (SFO)23100Seattle-Tacoma Intl (SEA)26115Salt Lake City Intl (SLC)2752Indianapolis Intl (IND)2427Reagan National (DCA)31113Nashville Intl (BNA)2281Pittsburgh Intl (PIT)2124Aspen-Pitkin County (ASE)113Austin-Bergstrom Intl (AUS)1856Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY)2046Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Intl (CVG)1725Cherry Capital (TVC)211The Eastern Iowa (CID)175Philadelphia Intl (PHL)2297San Diego Intl (SAN)1849Raleigh-Durham Intl (RDU)1844Cleveland-Hopkins Intl (CLE)1529John Glenn Columbus Intl (CMH)1625Gerald R Ford Intl (GRR)1723Muhammad Ali Intl (SDF)2219OKC Will Rogers Intl (OKC)1313Duluth Intl (DLH)133Minot Intl (MOT)133Washington Dulles Intl (IAD)1761Hector Intl (FAR)168Miami Intl (MIA)12271Baltimore/Washington Intl (BWI)1472Charleston Intl/AFB (CHS)1129Frederick W Smith Intl/Memphis (MEM)1121South Bend Intl (SBN)116Southwest Florida Intl (RSW)1477Daniel K Inouye Intl (HNL)1032Northwest Arkansas Ntl (XNA)1013Punta Gorda (PGD)1010Bismarck Muni (BIS)102Kahului (OGG)2429
What Can Affected Passengers Do Now?
If you’re among the many passengers affected by this winter storm, here’s what you can do to minimize the disruption to your travel plans:
1. Check Your Flight Status Frequently
Stay updated on your flight status by checking the airline’s website or app. Airlines like Southwest, American Airlines, and Delta are offering real-time updates and may have specific instructions for passengers affected by the storm.
2. Take Advantage of Waivers
Many airlines are offering waivers for affected passengers, allowing them to rebook flights without additional charges. Check with your airline to see if you are eligible for this and whether alternative travel dates are available.
3. Consider Rebooking
If your flight has been cancelled or delayed for an extended period, consider rebooking your flight. Many airlines are offering flexible rebooking options, and some are even offering to reroute passengers through alternative airports.
4. Be Prepared for Extended Delays
If you’re at an airport waiting for your flight, be prepared for longer-than-expected delays. Many airports are experiencing delays with passenger security checks and baggage handling, so patience will be key.
5. Know Your Rights
In case of extreme delays or cancellations, you have certain rights as a passenger. The U.S. Department of Transportation provides guidelines on compensation for passengers in cases of long delays or cancellations, so be sure to check if you are eligible for meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, or other compensation.
Conclusion
The winter storm currently sweeping through the United States is causing unprecedented disruptions to air travel, with 1,976 cancellations and more than 4,657 delays across the country. The hardest-hit airports, including Chicago, Minneapolis, and Detroit, are struggling to clear runways and maintain operations amid blizzard conditions, while major airlines such as American Airlines, Southwest, and Delta face mounting operational challenges.
As passengers, your best bet is to stay informed and flexible. Check your flight status regularly, take advantage of rebooking options, and remain patient as the storm passes and travel resumes. The situation is expected to improve in the coming days, but for now, safety should remain the top priority for both passengers and airlines alike.
Source: FlightAware
