Christmas Travel Chaos: Thousands Stranded as Winter Storm Devin Batters U.S. Airports

Published on December 28, 2025

For most, the days following Christmas are meant for relaxation—a slow unwinding after the frenetic energy of the holiday season. But for tens of thousands of Americans this year, the “most wonderful time of the year” has morphed into a logistics nightmare. As Winter Storm Devin swept across the Great Lakes and slammed into the Northeast, it didn’t just bring snow; it brought the U.S. aviation system to its knees.

According to a recent report, the statistics are staggering. By Saturday morning, more than 1,800 flights had been cancelled, and a jaw-dropping 22,000 were delayed nationwide. From terminal floors used as makeshift beds to the gut-wrenching silence of a “Cancelled” status on a departure board, the human cost of this disruption is being felt in every major hub across the country.

The Perfect Storm: Weather Meets a Fragile System

Winter Storm Devin didn’t act alone. While the National Weather Service reported record-breaking snowfall—Central Park saw its highest totals since 2022—the scale of the chaos suggests a deeper fragility in how we fly.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was forced to issue at least eight separate airspace flow restrictions to prevent overcrowding in the skies. In a move described as “slashing capacity,” the FAA limited the number of planes allowed to enter busy sections of the Northeast corridor. For travelers, this meant that even if their plane was ready and their pilot was available, the “road” in the sky was effectively closed.

The “Misery Map” on FlightAware told the grim story in real-time. New York’s major hubs—JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark—accounted for over half of all cancellations nationwide. Travelers at JFK faced average delays of nearly three hours, with many reporting being “stuck in limbo” for over 30 hours as they waited for a seat on any outbound flight.

Life on the Terminal Floor

Statistics tell part of the story, but the human experience is found in the terminal gates. Take the story of Danniel Sermone, a traveler stuck at JFK who told reporters he had come to New York for a “Home Alone Christmas” experience. He got more than he bargained for. After shopping and enjoying the lights of Times Square, he found himself camping out in Terminal 4, waiting for a flight that seemed more like a mirage than a reality.

“My next available flight is at 6 a.m. on the 28th,” he shared. “I’ve been hanging out at JFK for eight hours and I still have 30 left.”

Sermone is just one of thousands. Families with small children, elderly travelers trying to get home for medication, and students on tight budgets were all seen huddled together, navigating the “unavoidable” collapse of their holiday plans.

Airlines Under Fire

While winter weather is an “act of God” that limits airline liability, the industry response has been under heavy scrutiny. JetBlue, which has a massive operation in the Northeast, reported the highest number of cancellations, followed closely by Delta and American Airlines.

Most major carriers have issued travel waivers, allowing passengers to rebook without change fees or fare differences. However, for those stranded with no hotel voucher and no clear timeline, a “waived fee” feels like a small consolation. The disruption has reignited debates about the aging infrastructure of U.S. aviation and the chronic staffing shortages that leave the system with zero margin for error.

Interestingly, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy had assured the public just days prior that it would be “safe to fly” this Christmas. While safety wasn’t the issue—airplanes weren’t falling out of the sky—the systemic reliability of the airspace was clearly not ready for Devin’s arrival.

The Coast-to-Coast Impact

While the Northeast bore the brunt of the snow, the West Coast faced its own battle with an atmospheric river. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) saw dozens of delays as heavy rain and flooding plagued Southern California. It was a rare “bi-coastal” travel disaster that left almost no corner of the country untouched.

By Saturday, governors in New York and New Jersey had declared states of emergency. Officials urged residents to stay off the roads, but for those already at the airport, there was nowhere to go. The irony wasn’t lost on travelers: after years of pandemic-related restrictions, 2025 was supposed to be the year of the “record-setting holiday rush.” Instead, it became the year of the record-setting holiday wait.

What Happens Next?

As the storm begins to taper off, the “re-accommodation” phase begins. This is often more stressful than the storm itself. With flights already booked to near-capacity for the New Year’s rush, finding an empty middle seat for a stranded passenger is like finding a needle in a haystack.

Travel experts suggest that the “hangover” from Winter Storm Devin could last well into the first week of January. For many, the lesson is clear: in the modern age of travel, the only thing you can truly pack is patience—and perhaps a very warm blanket for the terminal floor.