Thousands of Travelers Stranded Across US as American, Frontier, Spirit, United, and Others Cancelled 111 flights at Major Hubs Including Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Diego

Published on September 28, 2025

Thousands of travelers are stranded across the US after American, Frontier, Spirit, United, and other airlines cancelled 111 flights at major hubs. These cancellations have left passengers in limbo at key airports including Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, and San Diego. American Airlines, United, and other carriers have been forced to ground flights due to various disruptions, leaving many travelers frustrated and uncertain about their travel plans. Major hubs like Chicago and Philadelphia are seeing the brunt of these cancellations, with passengers facing long delays and limited rebooking options.

As the situation continues to unfold, affected travelers are advised to stay in contact with their airlines for updates and assistance. The ripple effect of these cancellations is impacting flights both domestic and international, further exacerbating the chaos at airports across the country.

Travelers are facing significant disruptions across various airports in the US and on international routes. With a total of 111 flight cancellations and over 1,858 delays reported today, both domestic and international passengers are experiencing setbacks that could affect their plans.

Thunderstorms and disruptions at Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (KPHX) have caused significant delays and cancellations, affecting numerous flights today. These weather-related issues have led to congestion and scheduling setbacks, particularly for travelers heading to and from Phoenix. Meanwhile, Boston Logan Intl (KBOS) has also experienced a high volume of cancellations, although the specific reasons for these disruptions remain unspecified. Passengers flying in and out of these airports are advised to check for updates and expect possible delays or rebookings.

Key Airports and Cities Affected

Passengers flying through major US airports are facing significant disruptions due to widespread cancellations and delays. Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (KPHX) in Arizona, San Diego Intl (KSAN) in California, and Los Angeles Intl (KLAX) have seen the brunt of these issues, with both domestic and international routes heavily impacted. Other major hubs like Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW), Chicago O’Hare Intl (KORD), and John F. Kennedy Intl (KJFK) are also reporting a high number of delays and cancellations, causing widespread frustration for travelers.

Beyond the U.S., international airports such as London Heathrow (LHR) in the United Kingdom, Narita Int’l (RJAA) in Japan, and São Paulo-Guarulhos Int’l (GRU) in Brazil are also experiencing disruptions. These delays extend to key airports in Europe and South America, adding to the travel challenges faced by passengers heading to and from the US, Tampa Intl (KTPA) in Florida and Washington Dulles Intl (KIAD) in Virginia are among the notable US airports affected by these disruptions.

Other regional airports such as Reno/Tahoe Intl (KRNO) in Nevada, Minneapolis/St Paul Intl (KMSP) in Minnesota, and Memphis Intl (KMEM) in Tennessee have seen considerable delays, impacting both short-haul and long-haul travel. Smaller airports in Alaska, including Adak (PADK) and Bethel (PABE), are also experiencing flight disruptions. These delays ripple through not only major cities but also more remote locations, highlighting the widespread nature of the current air travel chaos.

Understanding the Scope of the Disruptions

Passengers flying through these airports are experiencing delays that range from a few minutes to over an hour, with some flights affected by cancellations. The total number of cancellations stands at 111, while 1,858 flights have been delayed across the affected routes.

Analysis of Airlines Impacted by Flight Disruptions in US Airports

The following analysis highlights the impact of flight cancellations and delays on US airports based on the data provided. The key airlines affected include American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Delta Air Lines. Here’s a breakdown of each airline’s performance:

1. American Airlines (AAL)

• Total Cancellations: 14
• Total Delays: 189
• Airports Affected: Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (KPHX), Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW), Los Angeles Intl (KLAX), Chicago O’Hare Intl (KORD), and more.

Key Insights:

• Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (KPHX), Arizona, appears to be the most significantly impacted airport for American Airlines, with multiple cancellations and delays. Several flights from Phoenix to key destinations such as San Diego (KSAN), Dallas (KDFW), Houston (KIAH), and Chicago (KORD) were affected.
• Chicago O’Hare (KORD) and Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW) airports also saw significant delays.
• International routes like those from Phoenix Sky Harbor to London Heathrow (LHR) and Dallas-Fort Worth to Rome (FCO) were impacted by cancellations, indicating disruption on transatlantic routes as well.
• Top Cancellations: Flights to San Diego (KSAN) and Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW) were among the most affected, with Phoenix as a major hub.

2. United Airlines (UAL)

• Total Cancellations: 6
• Total Delays: 137
• Airports Affected: Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (KPHX), San Francisco Intl (KSFO), Chicago O’Hare Intl (KORD), Washington Dulles Intl (KIAD), and others.

Key Insights:

• Phoenix Sky Harbor (KPHX), Chicago O’Hare (KORD), and San Francisco (KSFO) saw multiple delays, with a higher concentration of disruptions during evening hours.
• International disruptions were significant for United, especially on routes between Phoenix and London Heathrow (LHR), and Washington Dulles to São Paulo (GRU).
• United’s domestic network was also affected, with notable delays from Phoenix to Chicago and San Francisco, highlighting issues with US domestic flights as well.

3. Southwest Airlines (SWA)

• Total Cancellations: 14
• Total Delays: 152
• Airports Affected: Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (KPHX), Los Angeles Intl (KLAX), San Diego Intl (KSAN), and more.

Key Insights:

• Phoenix Sky Harbor (KPHX), Los Angeles Intl (KLAX), and San Diego Intl (KSAN) were the hardest hit by Southwest Airlines cancellations and delays.
• Domestic flights seem to be impacted the most, with routes from Phoenix to San Diego and Los Angeles facing significant disruptions.
• Southwest’s California network also had widespread disruptions, particularly from Los Angeles to Indianapolis (KIND), San Francisco (KSFO), and Oakland (KOAK).
• Total Delays: With 152 delays reported, Southwest had a considerable impact across US domestic routes.

4. Alaska Airlines (ASA)

• Total Cancellations: 6
• Total Delays: 68
• Airports Affected: Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (KPHX), Los Angeles Intl (KLAX), Seattle-Tacoma Intl (KSEA), and more.

Key Insights:

• Alaska Airlines faced delays mostly on its domestic routes, with significant impacts on flights between Phoenix (KPHX) and Los Angeles (KLAX).
• Alaska’s regional network, including flights to Seattle (KSEA) and San Diego (KSAN), also saw delays. Reno/Tahoe (KRNO) and San Francisco (KSFO) were key cities affected by Alaska’s delays.
• Alaska’s cancellations were focused on its West Coast network, specifically affecting flights between Phoenix and Seattle.

5. Delta Air Lines (DAL)

• Total Cancellations: 3
• Total Delays: 97
• Airports Affected: Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (KPHX), Atlanta Intl (KATL), New York’s John F. Kennedy Intl (KJFK), and others.

Key Insights:

• Phoenix Sky Harbor (KPHX) saw the highest level of delays, particularly on Phoenix to Atlanta and New York routes.
• Delta Airlines’ East Coast network, especially to John F. Kennedy (KJFK), faced flight delays due to ongoing disruptions.
• International impact included Rio de Janeiro (GIG) to Houston (IAH) and São Paulo (GRU) to Washington D.C. which were affected by cancellations.
• Domestic Disruptions: Notably, flights from Phoenix to Chicago (KORD) and Atlanta (KATL) experienced delays.

What Can Affected Passengers Do Now?

For passengers facing these disruptions, here are a few steps they can take to minimize the impact:

• Check with Airlines for Updates: Travelers should contact their airlines or check their flight status online before heading to the airport to avoid any unnecessary delays. Many airlines are offering updates via text message or app notifications, so make sure to sign up for these services.
• Rebook Flights or Seek Alternatives: For cancelled flights, passengers should look into rebooking their flights as soon as possible, either through the airline’s customer service or online portals. In some cases, airlines may offer alternate routes to reach the intended destination, albeit with a longer travel time.
• Consider Hotel Accommodations: For those facing long delays or cancellations, especially with overnight waits, airlines may offer vouchers for accommodation, meals, and transport. However, it’s recommended to inquire directly with the airline for assistance.
• Stay Informed on Ground Services: Many airports offer assistance and facilities to help passengers manage the stress of long waits. Information desks, waiting lounges, and customer service points are available to assist with rebooking and other needs.

Conclusion

While today’s widespread flight cancellations and delays affect passengers across multiple airports and countries, staying informed and proactive can help mitigate the impact of these disruptions. Travelers are advised to keep communication open with their airlines and monitor the status of their flights regularly.

Source: FlightAware