Now, Flight Delays, Cancellations and Long Lines: Severe Weather Hits US Thanksgiving Travel

Published on November 27, 2025

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest times of the year for for air travel. Snow storms head the list of causes for disruption. There is rough weather this year for getting home for the holiday. There were long delays and cancellations for rough weather at major airports across the country. There were flights delayed for hours or completely eliminated.

Travelers were able to make other arrangements to fly home. Airlines are used to making travel plan changes on the fly. They rerouted and made adjustments to get thousands home for the holiday.
Flying to visit family is a holiday tradition for many Americans across the country. The weather caused storms to be delayed at major airports. The busiest airports in the country are in major cities that were hit by the storms. Hundreds of flights were delayed. Major travel adjustments were made by airports and for thousands of travelers.

Weather-Related Disruptions Across Major US Airports

According to reports, bad weather is causing delays and cancellations in multiple US airports, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast. Due to the bad weather, Chicago O’Hare International Airport, one of the busy airports in the US, is having delays in both international and domestic flights because of bad weather conditions. New York airports, LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy, are also having delays due to heavy rain and reduced visibility.

Originally, walks storms in the US were not a major concern, however, airports in San Francisco and Los Angeles are incurring the effects of weather delays. Unlike Chicago and New York international airports, these US airports are not as commonly affected by bad weather.

Denver International Airport is also known for having bad delays due to winter weather. Passengers are advised to prepare for disruption in their travel schedules due to bad weather and are likely to be affected by delays because of their heavy traffic for the holiday. From Denver, people travel to Dallas, Houston, and Phoenix to spend time with family, which is primarily the cause of the increased traffic.

Weather Disruptions and Flight Cancellations Affect Many Travellers

This holiday season, there are millions of travelers and, unfortunately, there is bad weather and delays at airports. Flight tracking services are reporting thousands of cancellations and delays. These will increase further during the holiday season.

Travelers passing through the busy airports have received notifications that they will be experiencing long lines, crowded terminals, and long wait times. Airlines are working to compensate affected travelers, but during the busy holiday season, there is limited availability and finding new flights is challenging.

American Airlines, Delta, and Southwest have issued travel advisories, encouraging customers to check flight statuses and arrive to the airport earlier than usual. Other airlines are offering free rebooking to affected travelers. These have limited availability and are filling up quickly to fly out during these busy times.

Tips on Travelling During Thanksgiving

SSH predicts another busy Thanksgiving travel weekend for 2023, compounded by expected severe weather events. Passengers are advised to take the following steps to alleviate inconveniences:

Always Check Status Before Heading to the Airport: It is advisable to check the status of your flight every 30 minutes prior to your departure. Many airlines offer real-time updates on your flight statuses, including delays and cancellations. Most provide flight updates on their website or app.

Anticipate Longer Lines: Increased travel and the busy holiday season are forecasted to lead to longer-than-normal wait times. Passengers are requested to arrive 2-3 hours earlier than normal.

Exploring Other Airports: If your departure or arrival airport has a long delay, consider other airports. Many commercial travelers may be using airports near major hubs; during peak travel times, these other airports may be less congested. An example would be travelers using Long Beach Airport in California or Newark Liberty International in New Jersey. For a more diverse set of travel options, consider other airports nearby. Understand Your Rights: Understand your options for rebooking or compensation. A majority of airlines provide a form of refund for delayed flights, meal vouchers, or hotel accommodations.

Travelling During the Holidays: Keeping the Stress to a Minimum

Traveling during the holidays can be tough, especially on Thanksgiving. Holidays travel is the busiest travel time, so there is lots to prepare for, especially if the weather is bad. If the weather is bad, it may delay your flight, so it is important to pack lightly, stay flexible, and stay stress free if something happens. If you stay prepared to face any changes in your travel plans and pack all the necessary items in a light carry on, travel plans will likely go more smoothly.

As the week goes on, we should be expecting better conditions for the holidays travel. Airports should be prepared to face delays in the system and will likely face some rough weather, so pack for delays going home for the holidays.

Severe weather and delays can really put a damper on any holiday travel you plan, but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Planning your trip around the expected weather is a huge advantage. If you stay properly prepared, then you can travel with your family and friends on the holidays without any major disconnect.

Conclusion

This Thanksgiving, the severe weather that happens every year causes problems at US airports. This affects thousands of passengers. Big airports affected include Chicago O’Hare, LaGuardia, and Denver. If you have delays or cancellations, you are advised to check flight statuses, arrive to airports early, and be flexible for changes. Even with the weather, there are ways to plan to have a Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends.