Thousands of Passengers Grounded in US as American, Delta, United, Horizon, Alaska and Other Airlines Face 276 Cancellations and 3,494 Delays at New York, San Diego, Dallas, Austin, Sarasota and More

Published on November 22, 2025

Thousands of passengers are currently grounded across the US as American Airlines, Delta, United, Horizon, Alaska Airlines, and several other carriers face a wave of 276 cancellations and 3,494 delays. Major airports in cities like New York, San Diego, Dallas, Austin, Sarasota, and more are experiencing massive disruptions. The cause? A combination of high airport volume, weather-related issues, and ongoing operational challenges. Passengers are facing extended waits, with many missing connections and struggling to reach their destinations on time. Airlines, including American, Delta, and United, are working to rebook travelers, but the sheer volume of affected flights has caused widespread chaos.

The impact is felt not just in domestic travel, but on international routes as well, with long delays continuing to grow throughout the day. It’s a challenging time for travelers, and the disruption shows no sign of easing soon.

Ground Delays and Departure Delays

Several airports have reported ground delays due to various reasons, including weather conditions, runway construction, and heavy airport traffic.

• AUS (Austin-Bergstrom International) has experienced an average delay of 52 minutes due to low ceilings. This weather-related issue has created a backlog, particularly affecting outbound flights, making it a challenge for passengers to reach their destinations on time.
• DAL (Dallas Love Field) is seeing an increasing average delay of 30 minutes due to high volume of flights. With more passengers than usual, these delays are expected to worsen if the air traffic continues to increase throughout the day.
• EWR (Newark Liberty International) is grappling with delays caused by airport volume, leading to an average delay of 25 minutes. As one of the busiest airports in the United States, this disruption highlights the challenges faced by major hubs during peak travel periods.
• SAN (San Diego International) is dealing with runway construction, which is contributing to an average delay of 78 minutes. Passengers heading to or from San Diego will experience prolonged wait times as construction works continue to impact flight schedules.
• SRQ (Sarasota-Bradenton International) is seeing an average 15-minute departure delay, mainly caused by volume of flights. Though this delay is relatively mild, it could increase throughout the day if the number of flights continues to rise.

Total Delays and Cancellations Today

Today, a total of 3,494 delays and 276 cancellations have been reported at various airports across the United States. These delays and cancellations have impacted passengers’ travel plans, especially those flying out of major airports like New York’s EWR, San Diego’s SAN, and Austin’s AUS.

Affected Airports, Cities, and Countries

The disruptions span multiple airports, with cities like Austin (AUS), Dallas (DAL), Newark (EWR), San Diego (SAN), and Sarasota (SRQ) being the most affected. The disruptions are felt across the United States, but the impact is particularly significant at busiest airports like EWR and SAN, where heavy volumes of passengers combined with construction and weather-related issues are causing widespread delays.

Airlines Affected by Delays and Cancellations

Several major airlines are facing disruptions today, with delays and cancellations impacting thousands of passengers across the United States. These disruptions vary from ground delays to departure delays and are causing significant inconvenience.

• American Airlines (AAL) has been severely affected, reporting 158 cancellations and 516 delays. The airline operates a vast network, so these disruptions are impacting flights both within the United States and internationally.
• Envoy Air and PSA Airlines, both subsidiaries of American Airlines, are also experiencing delays, with 23 cancellations and 88 delays reported for Envoy Air, and 18 cancellations and 135 delays for PSA Airlines. These delays are mainly due to high air traffic and weather-related issues.
• Delta Air Lines (DAL) is facing an average delay of 30 minutes, and similar delays are expected to continue throughout the day as airport volume increases. Delta flights are being delayed due to the volume of passengers and air traffic congestion.
• United Airlines (UAL) and SkyWest (SKW) are reporting more moderate disruptions with 9 cancellations and 228 delays for United, and 8 cancellations and 239 delays for SkyWest. These airlines, both operating in busy airports, are experiencing delays primarily due to volume issues and high demand for flights.
• Alaska Airlines (ASA) has also been affected with 5 cancellations and 86 delays. These delays are tied to weather conditions, specifically low ceilings, at some of its major airports.
• Southwest Airlines (SWA), known for its high volume of flights, reports 2 cancellations and a massive 772 delays. These delays, mostly related to high air traffic and passenger volumes, are causing extensive backlogs across several of their hubs.

These delays and cancellations are contributing to the overall disruptions at the airports, affecting passengers’ travel plans significantly.

What Affected Passengers Can Do Now

If you are a passenger affected by these disruptions, here’s what you can do:

• Stay informed: Keep checking with your airline for updates regarding your flight. Flight delays and cancellations can change quickly, and it’s essential to stay updated through official airline apps or websites.
• Contact your airline: If your flight has been delayed or cancelled, contact your airline to discuss your options. In some cases, airlines may offer rebooking, or they may provide assistance with accommodation and meals if the delay is significant.
• Check alternative routes: If you’re facing long delays, check with your airline about alternate routes. Sometimes rerouting through another airport can help you get to your destination faster.
• Know your rights: Passengers are entitled to compensation for long delays and cancellations, especially in cases where the delay exceeds a certain duration. Familiarize yourself with your rights regarding compensation, meal vouchers, and hotel stays if you’re delayed overnight.
• Prepare for delays: For those waiting in airports, make sure to have entertainment options, snacks, and any necessary medications with you. Long delays can be exhausting, but a little preparation can help you endure them more comfortably.

Conclusion

Travel disruptions are an unfortunate but inevitable part of air travel, particularly during busy periods. With 3,494 delays and 276 cancellations reported today, passengers are facing a challenging journey. Whether it’s due to weather conditions, runway construction, or simply airport volume, it’s clear that the affected airports are struggling to maintain smooth operations. Passengers should stay informed, be proactive, and take necessary steps to manage their delays.

Source: FlightAware and affected airports