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Thousands Of Flights Affected As Major Winter Storm Hits East Coast

The season’s most potent winter storm to date has reached the East Coast, wreaking havoc on all forms of travel — from the skies to the rails and roads.

Nearly 11,000 flights have been delayed or canceled since Sunday, when a mix of snow, ice and bitterly cold air began sweeping across parts of the Midwest. By Monday morning, the wintry weather had moved east. It all comes as the holiday travel period draws to a close and the first regular work week of the new year begins.

By 9:30 a.m. EST on Monday, airlines had already canceled nearly 1,500 flights across the U.S., according to data from FlightAware. Another 1,500-plus have been delayed.

And the Federal Aviation Administration warns additional weather-fueled disruptions are possible up and down the East Coast, including at the New York City region’s three major airports.

✈️ Traffic Report: ❄️ could lead to delays at @EWRairport, @LGAairport, @JFKairport, @PHLAirport, DC, Chicago and @mspairport. ????️ possible at @BostonLogan and @CLTAirport. ⛈️ may impact flights at @flyTPA and @MCO. https://t.co/teUeDe1ON5 pic.twitter.com/inXTA03dZm

— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) January 6, 2025

Meanwhile, Amtrak is scrapping scores of trains along its busy Northeast Corridor, as parts of the mid-Atlantic — including the Washington, D.C., area — see heavy snowfall Monday.

Which airports are hardest hit?

With heavy snowfall pounding the nation’s capital region, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) leads all U.S. airports in cancellations, with about 60% of its planned departures for Monday already canceled.

Snowy conditions Monday in Washington, D.C. MANDEL NGAN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Nearly 40% of flights departing nearby Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) have been scrapped, and nearly 100 additional cancellations have been announced for Washington’s Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Forecasters had warned of significant travel disruptions for days as the winter storm took shape last week. Ahead of the storm’s arrival on the East Coast, the National Weather Service cautioned that “major impacts” to travel would be likely throughout the day on Monday.

Please see our latest Key Messages for the ongoing winter storm that will move into the Mid-Atlantic states tonight.

Find your latest forecast at https://t.co/QoghhWv7M7 and the latest Winter Storm Severity Index at https://t.co/KLGc2zZKr2 pic.twitter.com/bytrlscXEl

— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) January 5, 2025

Like dozens of major airports in the path of this winter storm, DCA has had its airport snow team on standby ready to deploy snow removal equipment.

❄️ ❄️With snow in the weekend forecast, remember to closely monitor flight schedules with your airline for possible changes. Our airfield snow team will be standing by: https://t.co/EL0dY3tyTO

— Reagan Airport (@Reagan_Airport) January 3, 2025

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) similarly warned of the potentially treacherous conditions headed into Monday morning.

Weather in the Philadelphia region and across the US this weekend and into Monday morning could impact air travel. Passengers are reminded to check with their airlines for the latest flight information. pic.twitter.com/vdCtBYobc4

— PHLAirport (@PHLAirport) January 3, 2025

Monday’s widespread flight cancellations came after a treacherous weekend at Midwest airports, most notably at Missouri’s Kansas City International Airport (MCI), which saw nearly 95% of Sunday’s departures canceled — a day after the airport had to temporarily shutter its runways in the face of rapid ice accumulation, at one point delaying the Kansas City Chiefs’ planned departure for a game in Denver.

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) on Sunday. LUKE SHARRETT/GETTY IMAGES

Amtrak cancels dozens of trains

The winter storm is affecting more than air travel. On Monday, Amtrak announced dozens of train cancellations for its Northeast Corridor service between D.C. and Boston.

CAPRI WHITELEY/THE POINTS GUY

The rail operator also shuttered a handful of planned Acela service along the East Coast.

Head to Amtrak’s website for a full list of train cancellations.

Airlines offer additional flexibility

Most major U.S. airlines have issued travel alerts that allow passengers extra flexibility to make itinerary changes amid the bad weather. That includes waiving change fees, even for travelers flying on the most restrictive fare types.

Southwest Airlines has been the hardest hit airline since the start of the storm, leading all U.S. airlines with more than 360 cancellations Monday — about 8% of its schedule — after shuttering close to 400 flights Sunday. The Dallas-based carrier has a sizable presence in both hard-hit Kansas City and St. Louis — not to mention at both BWI and DCA.

According to the FAA, American Airlines has canceled more than 175 flights so far on Monday after being stung by winter weather and multiple ground stops fueled by high winds on Sunday at its Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) home base.

This winter weather system made for a tumultuous end to the holiday travel season, which had its share of hurdles — from a tech glitch at American Airlines on Christmas Eve to severe thunderstorms in Texas throughout Christmas week.

As for this latest round of winter weather, here’s what to know if you’ll be traveling over the next couple of days.

Watch for a travel advisory

Check your airline’s website. Your flight may be covered by one of the many travel advisories issued by major U.S. carriers.

This could allow you to more easily make complimentary itinerary changes right from your airline’s app — even if you’re flying on an ordinarily restrictive ticket like basic economy.

American Airlines, for instance, has an advisory covering close to three-dozen airports across a large portion of the country, including its PHL and DCA hubs.

United Airlines has done the same for nearly a dozen airports, including its IAD hub. Southwest’s travel alert covers a handful of cities where it has a major footprint, including Kansas City, St. Louis, Nashville and Baltimore.

Here are links to travel advisories for the four largest U.S. carriers:

It’s worth noting that several carriers also issued travel advisories this past week in the wake of the Jan. 1 terrorist attack in New Orleans.

See a good rebooking option? Don’t delay

If you’re battling flight delays and see a halfway decent rebooking option pop up in your airline’s app, don’t waste a second: Lock it in!

With thousands of flights knocked off their normal schedules by bad weather, a huge number of passengers are simultaneously vying for open seats on the flights that are getting out on time — and those open seats can fill up quickly.

MEL MUSTO/BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES

Staying home? You may be eligible for a refund

If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed and you choose to simply stay home instead of flying, you should be eligible for a refund.

U.S. Department of Transportation rules require airlines to refund passengers for the unflown portion of their ticket when their flight is canceled or significantly delayed — but only if the passenger opts not to travel instead of accepting rebooking.

Easy cancellation and miles back on award bookings

Meanwhile, if Mother Nature has you wanting to stay home and forgo that trip you booked with frequent flyer miles, you’re in luck.

Generally, most U.S. airlines will allow you to cancel award bookings and get all your miles back with no fee. You’ll typically get a refund for any associated taxes and fees, too.

Make use of airline lounge customer service

Stranded in an airport? If you’re a member of an airline lounge, don’t forget: There are typically customer service agents there who can help you sort out an itinerary — and there’s often a shorter wait than you’ll find on the airport concourse amid the masses.

Keep in mind, though, that this applies to airline-branded lounges for the carrier you’re flying — not credit card-branded lounges.

Getting compensation for a delayed flight

Airlines have made a wide range of promises to the DOT for meals, hotel accommodations and other guarantees in the event of flight cancellations and major delays. However, these typically apply to “controllable” disruptions (like maintenance or staffing issues) and generally do not apply when bad weather affects travel.

This is where a travel credit card that offers travel insurance protections can come in handy, helping you recoup unexpected costs when flight trouble leaves you stranded. The one catch: In most cases, you’ll typically need to book your trip with that card in order to make a successful claim.

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