Thousands of US Passengers Left in Limbo: 122 Flights Axed and 511 Delayed Nationwide, Air Canada, WestJet, and Jazz Bear the Brunt of the Chaos – All the Essential Details on How This Will Affect Your Travel Plans

Published on February 18, 2026

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Air travel disruptions have been widespread across the United States and Canada today, with a series of flight cancellations and delays, particularly affecting key international hubs. Data reveals a sharp uptick in both cancellations and delays, with the most severe impact at major airports like Toronto Pearson International, Montreal-Trudeau, and Newark Liberty International. Travelers planning to depart or arrive from these locations are facing significant challenges, and the ripple effects are likely to extend across the entire air travel network.

Flight Cancellations and Delays Overview: United States and Canada

According to the latest data, there have been 122 flight cancellations within, into, or out of the United States today, along with 511 delays. These disruptions are attributed to various factors, including weather conditions and operational difficulties at key airports. Travelers flying through busy airports such as Toronto Pearson International and Newark Liberty International have experienced the brunt of these interruptions, as airlines struggle to maintain normal operations.

Toronto Pearson International Airport: The Epicenter of Cancellations

With a total of 165 cancellations and 32 delays, Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) has seen one of the highest disruption rates across the continent today. The statistics paint a concerning picture of the airport’s operational status, particularly with airlines like Air Canada and Jazz (ACA) suffering the most significant setbacks.

Cancellations:

Analysis of Cancellations and Delays:

• Air Canada leads the charge with a staggering 68 cancellations, which make up 21% of the total disruptions. Additionally, it is responsible for a portion of the delays, further compounding the issue for travelers.
• Jazz (ACA), a regional carrier under the Air Canada umbrella, reported a high cancellation rate of 49 flights (41% of its operations) and just one delay.
• WestJet and Porter Airlines also experienced significant cancellations, with 16 and 9 flights cancelled, respectively. These numbers represent roughly 14% and 11% of their total operations at Toronto Pearson.
• Air Canada Rouge (ACA) and Endeavor Air (DAL), despite a relatively small number of cancellations, still saw operational challenges with delays, especially Porter Airlines, which had a combined total of 19 disruptions (9 cancellations and 10 delays).

The impact on travelers flying with these airlines is substantial, as multiple connecting flights are affected, contributing to further congestion and confusion at the airport.

Montreal-Trudeau International Airport: A Smaller, Yet Noticeable, Impact

While Montreal-Trudeau (YUL) has had fewer cancellations today—just 20—there is still cause for concern, particularly for passengers traveling with Air Canada, which has seen a 10% cancellation rate for its flights at this airport.

Cancellations:

Analysis of Cancellations and Delays:

• Air Canada again bears the brunt of cancellations at Montreal-Trudeau, with 14 cancelled flights, but the percentage (10%) is much lower compared to Toronto Pearson.
• Porter Airlines continues to see a small impact, with 3 cancellations (9%) and no significant delays, while Jazz (ACA) also faces operational disruption with 3 cancellations and a delay.
• Other smaller carriers, including Central Mountain and KLM, have experienced delays, with Central Mountain particularly facing delays due to weather disruptions.

While Montreal-Trudeau’s disruptions are less severe than at Toronto Pearson, travelers should still be prepared for challenges, especially with Air Canada continuing to struggle with cancellations and delays.

St. John’s International Airport: Severe Impact for Air Canada and PAL Airlines

St. John’s International Airport (YYT) has experienced 15 cancellations today, with a notable proportion of them attributed to Air Canada and PAL Airlines.

Cancellations:

Analysis of Cancellations and Delays:

• Air Canada dominates the cancellations at St. John’s, with 8 flights cancelled, comprising 80% of its operations.
• PAL Airlines, another regional carrier, had 7 cancellations, but still operates at a 50% disruption rate.

The impact is felt acutely at this airport, where smaller airlines face operational challenges due to regional weather conditions and high passenger demand.

Toronto City Centre: A Focus on Porter Airlines

Toronto City Centre (YTZ), a smaller airport catering primarily to regional flights, has also seen disruptions, particularly with Porter Airlines, which has faced 13 cancellations today.

Cancellations:

Analysis of Cancellations and Delays:

• Porter Airlines has faced the brunt of the disruptions, with 13 cancellations, or 19% of its scheduled flights. Additionally, the airline experienced 1 delay, affecting its overall operational flow.

While the number of cancellations is smaller than other airports, the high percentage of cancellations at a smaller airport can have a more concentrated impact on travelers.

Newark Liberty International: International and Regional Cancellations

Newark Liberty International (EWR) has reported 9 cancellations and 14 delays today, with Jazz (ACA) and Porter Airlines facing the highest disruptions.

Cancellations:

Analysis of Cancellations and Delays:

• Jazz (ACA) and SAS saw high cancellation rates, contributing to the overall disruption at Newark Liberty.
• United Airlines had a relatively low cancellation rate, but it was impacted by significant delays, indicating potential operational issues affecting punctuality.

What’s Behind These Widespread Cancellations?

1. Severe Weather Disruptions:
   • Snowstorms, heavy rainfall, and freezing temperatures have significantly impacted both Canadian and US airports, particularly those in the Northeast.
   • These weather systems create hazards for both aircraft and airport ground operations, making it difficult to adhere to scheduled flight times.
2. Airline Operational Struggles:
   • Many airlines are struggling with reduced staff due to ongoing staffing shortages and pandemic recovery. This impacts their ability to reroute flights and maintain schedules.
3. Air Traffic Control Delays:
   • Traffic congestion in busy airspace, particularly in and out of major airports like Toronto Pearson and Newark Liberty, leads to air traffic control delays, exacerbating the issue.
4. Maintenance Issues:
   • Aircraft maintenance schedules and unforeseen mechanical issues lead to last-minute cancellations, further disrupting passengers.

How Should Travelers Bear With These Disruptions?

If you’re one of the thousands of passengers affected by flight cancellations today, here are some essential tips on how to navigate this disruption:

• Check Airline Policies: Most airlines offer compensation in the event of cancellations or delays. Be sure to check their refund, rebooking, and meal policies.
• Know Your Rights: Under EU and US regulations, passengers are entitled to compensation if they are delayed by more than three hours or their flight is canceled within certain timeframes.
• Keep Your Documentation: Save all receipts and document any communications with airlines for possible compensation claims.
• Consider Travel Insurance: If you haven’t already purchased it, travel insurance can offer a financial safety net if your plans are significantly disrupted.

Impact on Tourism: A Severe Blow to the Industry

The massive disruptions at key airports in the US and Canada have a direct and negative impact on the tourism industry. Thousands of tourists rely on air travel to visit major cities, and when flights are canceled or delayed, it disrupts not only their travel but also their vacation plans.

• Lost Revenue: Tourism-dependent businesses in cities like New York, Toronto, and Montreal are losing out on potential revenue due to canceled reservations and lost visitors.
• Saturated Airports: Passengers forced to stay longer at airports contribute to congestion, making it harder for new tourists to navigate the terminals.

The Economic Fallout: A Broad Ripple Effect

The airline industry itself stands to lose millions of dollars due to canceled flights and operational disruptions. This financial loss ripples through the economy:

• Operational Costs: Airlines must compensate passengers and reroute flights, which are expensive and time-consuming.
• Hotel and Hospitality Sectors: Disruptions lead to increased demand for temporary accommodation, causing a surge in bookings that may be poorly managed or overpriced.

What Can Airlines Do to Adjust?

Airlines need to adjust their operations to better handle weather-related disruptions and improve customer service:

• Better Communication: Proactive notifications to passengers about delays or cancellations can reduce frustration.
• Investment in Technology: More advanced weather forecasting tools and operational tools can help airlines better manage delays and cancellations.
• Collaborations with Ground Services: Working closely with ground services ensures that luggage, fuel, and catering needs are met even in adverse conditions.

Conclusion: A Growing Concern for Travelers and Airlines

Flight cancellations and delays are a significant inconvenience for travelers, airlines, and the economy as a whole. The recent surge in cancellations, particularly in key airports in the US and Canada, underscores the challenges faced by both passengers and airlines. With winter storms, staffing shortages, and operational struggles exacerbating the situation, it’s crucial for travelers to stay informed, understand their rights, and adjust their expectations.