U.S. Airlines Cancel Close to 4,000 Weekend Flights Ahead of Major Winter Storm

WASHINGTON — Airlines across the United States have grounded thousands of flights scheduled for the holiday weekend as a widespread winter storm pushes east, threatening to blanket large portions of the country with snow, sleet and freezing rain and usher in a spell of sub-zero temperatures.

Data from flight-tracking service FlightAware show more than 560 U.S. flights were canceled on Friday, marking the first wave of operational adjustments tied to the approaching system. For Saturday, carriers have already pulled nearly 2,400 additional departures and arrivals from their timetables. Another roughly 1,600 flights set for Sunday are scrubbed, a figure that could climb if forecasts deteriorate or storm impacts linger into early next week.

The bulk of Saturday’s disruptions center on North Texas. Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport accounts for over 1,100 canceled flights, representing a significant share of its weekend schedule. Nearby Dallas Love Field lists about 180 cancellations, effectively wiping out most of the operations planned there. Airlines often concentrate pre-emptive cancellations at hubs situated directly in the storm’s projected path to keep passengers, crews and aircraft from becoming stranded.

While the current total stands just shy of 4,000, industry officials caution that additional cancellations are likely as meteorologists refine short-term outlooks. Carriers routinely monitor updated radar and ice accumulation models to decide whether more cuts are required to maintain network stability.

Fee waivers and rebooking options

Major U.S. airlines—including American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and United—have issued system-wide travel advisories. Customers holding tickets to or from more than 40 airports in the Midwest, South, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast can change itineraries without incurring change fees, cancellation penalties or fare differences, provided travel is rebooked within specified windows. The waivers extend to basic economy tickets, which normally carry the most restrictive rules.

American Airlines, whose largest hub is in Dallas–Fort Worth, said it is shifting aircraft to airports outside the storm zone and has augmented staffing levels at key locations. A spokesperson noted that repositioning metal and placing additional crews at unaffected airports are meant to expedite a “safe recovery” once runways clear and air-traffic control constraints ease.

Scope of the storm

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter storm warnings and watches stretching from the Southern Rockies through the Plains and into New England. Meteorologists say the system is poised to affect “hundreds of millions of people” before exiting the East Coast late Monday. Forecast models indicate widespread snow totals exceeding 8 inches in several states, with pockets of heavier bands possible where cold air is deepest. Ice accretions are also anticipated across parts of the lower Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic, posing additional hazards to ground and air transit.

Behind the precipitation, a surge of Arctic air is expected to drop temperatures well below average, creating wind-chill readings as low as minus-20 degrees Fahrenheit in some northern locales. Aviation planners consider such temperature swings because extreme cold can complicate de-icing procedures and delay ramp operations even after snowfall ends.

Operational strategy

Aviation experts say large carriers favor proactive cancellations over reactive measures. Pulling flights early allows them to keep aircraft and crews positioned for a faster restart once conditions improve. It also reduces the likelihood of passengers being stuck on aircraft or in terminals, which can create cascading delays for days.

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Once a flight is canceled, most airlines will automatically rebook customers on the next available itinerary and send updated details via email or mobile app. Travelers can also request refunds if the new routing no longer meets their needs. Industry analysts note that fee-waiver policies introduced during the pandemic have become a standard response to severe weather events, giving passengers more flexibility and preserving goodwill.

Potential for further disruption

Airports from Denver and Chicago to Charlotte and Boston remain under heightened alert, as snow forecasts in those regions could widen the footprint of cancellations. Ground operations—ranging from snowplow availability to de-icing fluid supplies—will influence the speed of recovery once the storm passes.

Air-traffic control facilities also factor into the equation. Should controllers reduce arrival and departure rates to manage safety during low-visibility periods, airlines may have to trim schedules further even at airports receiving lighter snowfall. Historically, ripple effects from such constraints can persist up to 48 hours after the last flake falls.

What travelers should know

Passengers are urged to confirm flight status before heading to the airport and to monitor carrier apps for gate changes or revised boarding times. Experts recommend allowing extra time for check-in and security, given the possibility of longer queues caused by rebooked travelers converging on fewer operational flights. Those driving to airports in affected regions should prepare for slick roads and potential closures.

The NWS advises residents to stock emergency kits, limit non-essential travel and remain vigilant for updates as the storm evolves. Local officials in multiple states have pre-positioned road salt and activated emergency response centers to coordinate plowing and power restoration if outages occur.

With the brunt of the weather system expected to move east of the Mississippi River by late Sunday, airlines hope to restore a majority of operations early next week. However, network planners will continue to monitor forecast models, and further changes remain possible if the storm slows or intensifies near key hubs.

Crédito da imagem: Bloomberg via Getty Images