Thousands of US Passengers Stranded in LaGuardia Airport as New York Deals with the Aftermath of the Travel Chaos Caused by Nor’easter, Impacting Republic Airways, Endeavor Air, Delta, Southwest, American Airlines and Several other Carriers with 449 Cancellations and 119 Delays

Published on February 25, 2026

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A historic nor’easter recently slammed the US East Coast, leaving a trail of record-breaking snowfall and logistical chaos in its wake. This massive storm centered its fury on New York City, burying Central Park under 19 inches of snow. Consequently, travel across the region ground to a halt as officials implemented strict bans to ensure public safety. LaGuardia Airport became the epicenter of this aviation crisis, recording hundreds of cancelled flights in a single day. Regional carriers bore the brunt of the atmospheric onslaught. Republic Airways faced the most significant hurdles, reporting 164 cancellations as ground operations became impossible. Similarly, Endeavor Air struggled to maintain its schedule, resulting in 105 grounded flights. These disruptions left thousands of passengers stranded and searching for answers. There’s a total of 449 cancellations and 119 delays reported. This report examines the specific data behind the delays and the ongoing recovery efforts. We explore how the aviation industry navigates such unprecedented weather events while prioritizing passenger security

Major Airport Affected

LaGuardia Airport was significantly hampered by the storm’s intensity, which saw more than 19 inches of snow fall in New York City’s Central Park. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the storm brought white-out conditions and extreme hazards, necessitating a total citywide travel ban that was only lifted at noon local time. During the height of the crisis, all roads, highways and bridges were closed, effectively isolating the airport from the rest of the city.

The scale of the disruption at LaGuardia is reflected in the staggering operational figures reported today. A total of 449 flight cancellations were recorded, alongside 119 delays. Although the nor’easter has moved away, the facility continues to deal with the logistical nightmare of clearing snow and reorganizing flight schedules. Strong winds are expected to continue, potentially complicating the recovery efforts for ground crews and air traffic controllers in the US Northeast.

Impacted Airlines

The burden of the cancellations was felt most acutely by regional and domestic carriers. Republic Airways was the most heavily affected, with 164 cancellations and 41 delays. This was followed by Endeavor Air, which saw 105 of its flights cancelled. Major mainline carriers were not spared either; Delta Air Lines reported 74 cancellations and 21 delays, while American Airlines faced 33 cancellations and 20 delays.

Other airlines impacted by the travel chaos include:

• Southwest Airlines: 25 cancellations, 9 delays
• Spirit Airlines: 16 cancellations, 2 delays
• JetBlue: 10 cancellations, 5 delays
• United Airlines: 8 cancellations, 3 delays
• Jazz Aviation: 7 cancellations, 6 delays
• Air Canada: 3 cancellations
• Porter Airlines: 2 cancellations
• Frontier Airlines: 1 cancellation, 2 delays
• Mesa Airlines: 1 cancellation

The concentration of these disruptions highlights the vulnerability of regional networks when a major US hub like New York City is incapacitated by extreme weather.

Probable Impact on Local Tourism

The nor’easter has caused an immediate and visible halt to tourism activities. With New York City brought to a near-standstill and over 600,000 properties across the East Coast losing power, the hospitality sector has faced significant strain. The severity of the storm was such that even The Boston Globe ceased its print edition for the first time in 153 years, signaling the total disruption of normal commerce and information flow in the region.

Tourism in New York City is heavily dependent on the seamless movement of people through its airports. With nearly 450 flights cancelled at LaGuardia alone, thousands of visitors were unable to reach their hotels, theaters, or business engagements. Furthermore, the historic nature of the storm—with Rhode Island recording its worst snowstorm ever and Providence receiving 36 inches—suggests that regional tourism will take days to recover as states like Connecticut and Massachusetts work to lift their respective travel bans.

What Affected Passengers Can Do Now

For those currently stranded or facing delays in the US, certain protocols are recommended to navigate the situation. Passengers are advised to monitor their flight status via airline mobile apps or websites, as the situation remains fluid due to ongoing winds and the backlog of diverted aircraft.

Because the travel bans in New York City and neighboring states have only recently been lifted, ground transportation to and from airports may still be limited. Passengers are encouraged to remain in safe locations until their airline confirms a new departure time. Most carriers offer rebooking options for weather-related events and travelers should explore these digital self-service tools to avoid long wait times at airport service desks.

The recovery of the travel network is expected to be gradual. While the snow has stopped, the 1-2 feet of accumulation predicted for the coastline continues to pose a challenge for infrastructure. Safety remains the priority for all officials and aviation personnel as they work to restore normalcy to the US air travel system.

-The information provided is sourced from FlightAware.