Los Angeles Joins John F. Kennedy, Chicago O’Hare, San Francisco, Denver, LaGuardia and Many US Airports Facing Severe Delays and Massive More Than Two Thousand Flight Cancellation Affecting Year End Air Travel as Brutal Snowstorm Choking American Tourism, New Update for Holiday Weekenders

Published on December 27, 2025

By: Tuhin Sarkar

Los Angeles joins John F. Kennedy, Chicago O’Hare, San Francisco, Denver, LaGuardia, and many other U.S. airports facing severe delays and more than two thousand flight cancellations, affecting year-end air travel. As brutal snowstorms choke American tourism, these major airports are overwhelmed by an unprecedented number of disruptions. Los Angeles, John F. Kennedy, and Chicago O’Hare are among the hardest hit, with massive delays and cancellations stranding travelers. The snowstorm has created chaos, further complicating the travel experience during one of the busiest times of the year. Stay with us to learn how this severe weather is affecting holiday weekender flights and American tourism.

With winter storms impacting flight schedules, Los Angeles, John F. Kennedy, and Chicago O’Hare are among the hardest hit. Severe delays and cancellations are wreaking havoc on air travel, leaving travelers stranded and frustrated. This massive disruption affects not just these airports, but millions of passengers across the country. Stay tuned to find out how this chaos is impacting year-end air travel.

The holiday season is often filled with joy and excitement, but this year, millions of travelers in the United States are facing the harsh reality of flight disruptions.

Over 122 million Americans are hitting the road or skies this holiday season, but they’re not prepared for the record-breaking chaos that awaits. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued severe airspace flow restrictions, severely affecting air travel as winter storms intensify the situation. Airports are overwhelmed, with severe delays, cancellations, and frustrated passengers across major U.S. airports, including New York’s JFK, Newark Liberty, and LaGuardia. As the year-end period nears its peak, travelers can expect even more turbulence – not just in the air, but on the ground as well.

A Perfect Storm of Chaos in the Skies
The holiday season is often filled with joy and excitement, but this year, millions of travelers in the United States are facing the harsh reality of flight disruptions. Over 122 million Americans are hitting the road or skies this holiday season, but they’re not prepared for the record-breaking chaos that awaits. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued severe airspace flow restrictions, severely affecting air travel as winter storms intensify the situation. Airports are overwhelmed, with severe delays, cancellations, and frustrated passengers across major U.S. airports, including New York’s JFK, Newark Liberty, and LaGuardia. As the year-end period nears its peak, travelers can expect even more turbulence – not just in the air, but on the ground as well.

FAA Airspace Restrictions: The First Sign of Trouble
On Friday, December 26, 2025, the FAA issued airspace flow restrictions across at least eight different regions. The reason? To combat congestion caused by hundreds of flights heading in the same direction. According to reports, these airspace flow programs (AFPs) could cause delays of up to six hours, adding fuel to the fire of an already chaotic holiday season. By limiting the number of flights allowed to enter certain airspace zones, the FAA is trying to prevent overcrowding, but it’s clear this effort is only a small part of the larger problem.

Winter storms are wreaking havoc on travel plans across the United States, especially during the busy postholiday period when millions of Americans are returning home. As of 1:30 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, more than 1,600 flights had been canceled, and over 19,000 flights were delayed, according to FlightAware data. New York City’s three major airports—LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark—were hit particularly hard, with forecasts predicting up to 9 inches of snow in some areas. This storm is affecting major cities nationwide, including Detroit, Philadelphia, and Boston, causing widespread cancellations and delays.

In addition to the chaos in the skies, heavy rains, mudslides, and flooding have prompted road closures in California, while the Great Lakes region faces accumulating ice. The disruptions come at one of the busiest travel times of the year, with a record number of Americans traveling during the Dec. 20 to Jan. 1 period. The American Automobile Association (AAA) forecasted that over 122 million Americans would venture at least 50 miles from home, with 109.5 million choosing to drive and 8 million flying. The storms are intensifying the risks for both air and road travelers.

JetBlue and Delta Among the Worst Affected Airlines

Among the major airlines, JetBlue Airways was the hardest hit, with 225 cancellations reported on Friday, according to FlightAware. Delta Air Lines followed closely with over 200 cancellations. By Friday evening, JetBlue had canceled approximately 350 flights between Friday and Saturday, mostly in the Northeast. The airline issued a statement, noting that it was working to assist affected customers with rescheduling.

La Niña, a weather pattern associated with cooler-than-usual Pacific waters, is contributing to the extreme winter weather. The return of La Niña is known for causing volatile weather, and this holiday season is no exception. Matt Rogers, president of the Commodity Weather Group, noted that weather models have struggled to keep up with the shifting conditions, making forecasting more challenging.

Winter Weather Causes Significant Hazards

In New York, a winter storm warning stretched from NYC to northeast New Jersey, with some areas expecting up to 10 inches of snow. The National Weather Service warned of treacherous road conditions for those returning from their holiday travels. Additionally, the storm is affecting power grids in Pennsylvania, where residents have been warned of potential outages due to heavy snow and ice accumulation.

On the West Coast, California is facing severe flooding, mudslides, and road closures. Flash flood warnings have been canceled, but flood advisories remain in effect for parts of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles counties. The heavy rains have already caused significant disruptions, with more than 50,000 homes and businesses without power in Northern California. At Mammoth Mountain ski resort, snow accumulations of 12 to 18 inches are expected, accompanied by winds gusting up to 60 miles per hour, further complicating travel in the region.

Midwest Weather Causes Further Travel Disruptions

The Midwest is also struggling with hazardous travel conditions due to freezing rain, sleet, and snow. From the Great Lakes to New England and the mid-Atlantic, conditions are expected to worsen into Saturday morning. A “swath of snow and ice” is forecast to move through the upper Midwest as cold air from Canada pushes down across the region, creating difficult driving and flight conditions.

Travelers in these areas face significant delays, with the weather continuing to complicate travel as it moves eastward. With millions of travelers still on the move, these storms are making the return to normalcy a challenge for many.

This winter storm season is proving to be one of the most disruptive in recent memory. From flight cancellations to hazardous road conditions, the storms are forcing Americans to rethink their travel plans during the busiest time of the year. As the storms continue to develop, travelers should stay informed, be prepared for delays, and take extra precautions to ensure their safety. Whether by air or by road, the road to returning home this holiday season will be anything but smooth.

Winter Weather Adds Fuel to the Fire: A Double Whammy for Travelers
While airspace restrictions are causing havoc, winter storms are intensifying the disruption. Flight tracking site FlightAware reported over 5,500 delays and more than 1,400 cancellations by the afternoon on December 26. New York’s JFK, Newark Liberty, and LaGuardia airports were some of the hardest hit, with JFK accounting for a significant portion of the cancellations. This winter storm, affecting much of the northeastern U.S., is wreaking havoc across major travel hubs, leaving passengers stranded and frustrated. With millions of Americans traveling, the storms are combining with airspace restrictions to create the perfect storm of travel chaos.

Overwhelmed Airports: A Nightmare Before Christmas for Many
As if the weather and airspace restrictions weren’t enough, airports are also overwhelmed by the sheer number of travelers. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), more than 122 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home during the 13-day year-end period. This includes millions of people flying into or out of major airports like JFK, O’Hare, and LAX, among others. With increased passenger numbers and severe weather conditions, these airports are facing their busiest times of the year, leading to more overcrowding and longer delays at check-ins, security, and baggage claim.

Top Holiday Destinations Hit Hard: Orlando and Miami Among the Worst
For many, holiday travel is an annual tradition. This year, the most popular domestic destinations were Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami, while international spots like Cancun and Punta Cana also saw a surge in visitors. However, this influx of passengers has added to the strain on airports and flight operations. In Florida, where many flock to escape the cold, both Miami and Orlando airports were already battling heavy delays even before the storms. These delays are amplified by FAA restrictions, leaving many travelers with little choice but to face long waits or canceled flights. This is not the dream vacation they had in mind.

Flight Tracking in Real-Time: How Technology is Helping Passengers Stay Informed
Thanks to modern technology, passengers can track their flights in real-time and receive up-to-date information about delays and cancellations. Tools like FlightAware, which tracks over 5,500 delayed flights on December 26, have become a lifeline for travelers facing the wrath of winter storms and FAA restrictions. These tools help passengers stay informed and make more strategic decisions about their trips. Whether it’s rerouting or rebooking, having access to real-time flight data can help reduce the stress of travel disruptions.

What the FAA is Doing: Efforts to Ease the Situation
Despite the chaos, the FAA is actively working to alleviate the situation. By implementing airspace flow restrictions, the FAA aims to reduce congestion and streamline air traffic. However, this has not been enough to prevent the ripple effect of delays across the country. The agency’s efforts are currently focused on reducing the number of flights entering busy airspace, and despite these measures, delays continue to pile up. The FAA’s role is crucial, but it’s clear that they are grappling with a combination of factors that are beyond their control.

Impact of Cancellations and Delays on the Broader Travel Ecosystem
When flights are delayed or canceled, the impact extends far beyond the airline. Hotels, rental car agencies, restaurants, and local businesses suffer from the disruptions as well. In airports like JFK and LaGuardia, the influx of stranded passengers creates an overwhelming strain on local services. With over 122 million travelers on the move, this ripple effect is significant, costing both the tourism and hospitality industries millions of dollars in lost revenue. For many local businesses, the peak holiday season is their most profitable time, and these disruptions are a costly setback.

How Airlines are Responding: Offers to Rebook and Refund
As travelers face flight cancellations, many airlines are offering rebooking options and even refunds to mitigate the negative impact. Some airlines are waiving fees for rebooking flights, while others are providing meal vouchers and accommodations for stranded passengers. United Airlines, Delta, and American Airlines are all working to offer these services, but with the sheer volume of canceled flights, it is still a challenge to accommodate everyone. Although airlines are doing what they can, the overwhelming number of delays and cancellations has made it difficult for them to keep up with the demand for customer service.

How Travelers Can Prepare: Tips for a Smoother Journey
For those still planning to fly during the holiday season, preparation is key. Travelers should check their flight status regularly, especially during periods of inclement weather. Additionally, rebooking and rerouting should be done as soon as possible to avoid further delays. Packing a carry-on bag with essentials, staying in close contact with airlines, and considering alternative travel dates are all helpful strategies for reducing the impact of delays and cancellations. By staying informed and being flexible, travelers can navigate the chaos with less stress.

A Holiday Travel Season to Forget
This year’s holiday travel season will go down in history as one of the most disruptive in recent memory. With the FAA’s airspace restrictions, winter weather causing havoc, and the overwhelming number of travelers, millions of passengers are feeling the brunt of delays and cancellations. As we move into the final days of the year, many are left hoping for smoother skies and fewer disruptions. For those still traveling, it’s important to be prepared for the worst and to stay as flexible as possible. After all, the only thing predictable about holiday travel this year is the unpredictability of the journey.