Winter storm snarls U.S. travel as airlines cancel thousands of flights and delays spread

A major winter storm moving across the United States disrupted air travel again Monday, forcing airlines to cancel thousands of flights and delay many others as snow, ice, and low visibility constrained operations at major hubs.

Flight-tracking data showed roughly 3,900 flights canceled and more than 1,500 delayed early Monday. The disruptions followed an exceptionally difficult Sunday, when more than 11,000 flights were scrapped—described as the highest daily U.S. cancellation total since the pandemic—leaving travelers struggling to rebook and airports trying to recover.

Aviation analytics data indicated that close to 14% of scheduled flights were canceled as of early Monday morning. Carriers faced a mix of problems: aircraft and crews out of position after Sunday’s cancellations, de-icing and ramp constraints, and rapidly shifting weather conditions that created ripple effects far beyond the hardest-hit states.

Meteorologists said low pressure south of New England was expected to move east over the Atlantic on Monday, bringing heavy snow to parts of the Northeast while freezing rain lingered across sections of the Mid-Atlantic. Snow was also forecast along the Appalachian region, with rain spreading along the Southeast coast as a cold front moved offshore.

The U.S. National Weather Service warned that conditions could remain hazardous in several regions, complicating both surface transportation and airport operations. The Federal Aviation Administration also cautioned that weather-related constraints were affecting Boston and New York-area airspace, among other key corridors.

Airlines pointed to gradual improvement but acknowledged that recovery can take days after a systemwide shock. United Airlines said it would begin restoring flights and expected significantly fewer cancellations Monday than the day before, although substantial disruption remained across the network as travelers sought clarity through customer-service channels and social media.

With winter weather still moving through the Northeast and ice risks persisting in parts of the Mid-Atlantic, more cancellations and delays were expected, especially at airports where de-icing capacity and runway throughput can become limiting factors during sustained storms. Travelers were advised to check airline alerts and airport status updates before leaving for terminals.