Travel Chaos Hits Hartsfield-Jackson Airport: Delta, Southwest, United, and Frontier Face 140 Delays and 234 Cancellations Impacting Atlanta, New York, Chicago, and Major US Cities

Published on February 23, 2026

Major disruptions due to weather and other events are affecting flights to and from the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. There are also numerous operational problems. They are responsible for 140 delayed flights and 234 canceled flights as of the most recent records from the airport. Disruptions are affecting airlines and passengers. Because of the far-reaching problems created by the delays and cancellations, their effects can also be seen in the tourism industry.

Impact on Airlines and Affected Cities
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport serves as a major hub for a number of airlines, including Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. These airlines, along with others that operate at ATL, are among the most significantly impacted by the disruptions. Travelers from a variety of U.S. cities, including major urban centers such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Miami, are experiencing delays as flights are rerouted, rescheduled, or canceled entirely. Connecting flights are also suffering, creating a ripple effect of flight disruptions across the nation and even internationally.

Today, flight disruptions at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport have primarily affected several major airlines, with Delta Air Lines bearing the largest share of cancellations and delays. Delta had 132 cancellations, which accounts for 8% of its scheduled flights, and 76 delays, representing 5%. Other notable carriers affected include Republic Airlines, with 83% of its flights canceled but no delays, and Frontier, which saw 15 cancellations (10% of its flights) and 17 delays (11%). PSA Airlines, operating under American Airlines, also had a significant impact with 13 cancellations (52% of its flights) and 2 delays (8%). United Airlines reported 12 cancellations (24%) and just 1 delay (2%), while Endeavor Air, another Delta subsidiary, experienced 12 cancellations (5%) and 7 delays (3%).

In terms of low-cost carriers, Southwest had 10 cancellations (9%) and 5 delays (4%), while JetBlue reported 10 cancellations (62%) with no delays. Spirit Airlines had 5 cancellations (15%) and 4 delays (12%). Regional carriers such as SkyWest reported 4 cancellations (9%) but had a high percentage of delays, with 20 delays (45%). Several smaller airlines, including Jazz (ACA), Korean Air, Key Lime Air, Turkish Airlines, Avelo Airlines, and Alaska Airlines, reported single cancellations or delays. These disruptions have caused significant challenges for passengers and are expected to affect travelers’ schedules and the overall flow of air traffic through Hartsfield-Jackson today.

Passengers Affected and Disruptions
The number of passengers impacted by the disruptions is substantial. Based on the current delays and cancellations, thousands of passengers are experiencing difficulties in reaching their destinations on time. Passengers have reported extended waiting times, especially in security lines and gates, as they try to rebook their flights or adjust their schedules. In some cases, travelers have reported waiting for multiple hours at the airport, trying to secure the next available flight.

The travel experience is often one filled with uncertainty during such disruptions. Many passengers have been left stranded at ATL with no clear solution in sight, as delays and cancellations continue to grow. For some, the uncertainty surrounding the status of their flights has resulted in added stress and inconvenience. Rebooking options and alternative flight arrangements are limited due to the high volume of travelers trying to adjust their plans, further compounding the issue.

Impact on Tourism
Tourism in Atlanta and the surrounding region is also feeling the impact of the airport disruptions. With major international events and conventions scheduled throughout the year, Atlanta is one of the top destinations for both leisure and business travel. However, today’s disruptions may lead to short-term declines in tourism, as tourists face delays or altered schedules that affect their travel itineraries.

The tourism industry in Atlanta, particularly local hotels, restaurants, and transportation services, relies heavily on timely arrivals and departures. With the ongoing delays, local businesses in the tourism sector may experience cancellations and fewer arrivals, which could affect their revenue for the day. For example, international visitors may delay their planned activities due to missed flights, impacting the planned revenue streams for many local attractions.

Conclusion
Today’s challenges include Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, with 140 flight delays and 234 flight cancellations. Because they are so large and complex, they are susceptible to unplanned events and challenges. These types of challenges and problems are not just directed toward the airlines and the passengers, but also the larger, global tourism market. Travelers must monitor the flight status and also be ready for the inconvenience.

Passengers are facing severe operational challenges, so they are encouraged to make their own arrangements, and also consider the challenges that will occur to their plans. The airlines that are being affected will do thier best to adjust to the operational changes, but large disruptions are expected to occur throughout the entire operational day. Due to the fact that ATL is a major hub for travel, it is evident that the passengers and the larger travel industry are the most affected by the problems of today.

Source: Flightaware and Affected Airport