Travel Chaos in the US as Over 150 Flights Are Cancelled Including Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, United, and More, Affecting Routes to New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Denver, Dallas, Chicago, Miami, Boston, Seattle, and More

Published on December 20, 2025

Recent days have brought significant disruptions across several of the United States’ busiest airports, as numerous airlines canceled flights affecting both domestic and international routes. Travelers faced frustration and uncertainty as operations at major hubs, including John F. Kennedy International (JFK), Los Angeles International (LAX), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL), Denver International (DEN), and Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), were heavily impacted.

In total, there were 265 flight cancellations across these airports, affecting destinations such as Copenhagen, Abu Dhabi, Paris, Boston, Miami, Orlando, Seattle, Denver, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, LaGuardia, JFK, Newark, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Melbourne, and numerous regional airports across the U.S.

Cancelled Flights Summary

Total Cancellations: 150+ flights

John F. Kennedy International Airport: International and Domestic Disruptions

JFK became a focal point of disruption, with dozens of canceled departures spanning a wide range of destinations. Airlines affected included SAS, JetBlue, Delta, Etihad, and Endeavor, with flights canceled from early morning to late evening.

• International routes impacted:
  • SAS916 to Copenhagen
  • ETD4 to Abu Dhabi
  • AFR1 and AFR11 to Paris Charles de Gaulle
• Domestic routes affected:
  • Delta and Endeavor flights to LaGuardia, Raleigh-Durham, Seattle-Tacoma, Tampa, Orlando, and Charleston
  • JetBlue flights to Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and South Florida

Passengers experienced JFK flight disruptions, with cancellations causing ripple effects across connecting flights and tight schedules. Travelers were advised to monitor airline notifications and consider alternative arrangements.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport: Regional Flights Hit Hard

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) saw multiple cancellations impacting regional and domestic routes. Airlines such as Southwest, JetBlue, and ViaAir were most affected.

• Key destinations affected:
  • Southwest flight to Chicago Midway
  • JetBlue and Endeavor flights to Norfolk, Akron-Canton, Savannah/Hilton Head, and Manchester-Boston Regional
  • Delta Connection flights to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta

Many passengers faced airport delays, with early morning departures and late-night flights canceled, creating challenges for both business and leisure travelers relying on these regional connections.

Los Angeles International Airport: LAX Cancellations Affect International Travel

LAX experienced a broad range of cancellations affecting both domestic and international travelers. Airlines impacted included Air France, KLM, United, Viva Aerobus, Delta, and Southwest.

• International cancellations:
  • Air France flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle
  • KLM to Amsterdam Schiphol
  • United Airlines to Melbourne, Australia
  • Viva Aerobus flights to Guadalajara and Monterrey
• Domestic cancellations:
  • Delta and Southwest flights to Chicago, San Francisco, Denver, and John Wayne Airport
  • ASA and QXE regional flights also canceled

Travelers at LAX faced significant delays and rescheduling issues. LAX cancellations disrupted connecting itineraries and left many scrambling for alternate flights.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport: Multiple Airlines Disrupted

ORD recorded extensive flight cancellations across domestic and international routes. Spirit, Republic, and JetBlue were among the most affected carriers.

• Destinations impacted:
  • Luis Munoz Marin Intl, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, Los Angeles, LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark Liberty
  • Multiple LaGuardia-bound flights canceled throughout the day

Canceled flights at Chicago O’Hare contributed to congestion at connecting hubs and increased passenger wait times, highlighting challenges in maintaining smooth airport operations.

Denver International Airport: Southwest, Delta, and United Disruptions

Denver International Airport (DEN) saw a high volume of flight cancellations across several carriers. Key airlines affected included Southwest, Delta, SkyWest, and United, impacting a mix of domestic and regional flights.

• Destinations with canceled flights:
  • Seattle, Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco, LaGuardia, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Portland, Charlotte
  • Southwest flights on B737, B738, and B38M aircraft heavily impacted

Airport delays and canceled flights forced passengers to adjust their travel plans, and airlines issued schedule updates to assist affected travelers.

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport: Regional and Domestic Challenges

DFW experienced disruptions mainly on domestic and regional routes. JetBlue, Spirit, and American Airlines canceled several flights spanning morning and late-night departures.

• Significant cancellations:
  • Salt Lake City, Orlando, Montgomery, Gulfport, Tallahassee, and LaGuardia
  • Early morning and late-night flights disrupted schedules for business travelers and vacationers

Passengers were advised to stay informed on airline schedule updates to minimize the impact of these cancellations.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: Southern Hub Disruptions

ATL also reported extensive cancellations affecting both domestic and regional destinations. Delta, Endeavor, and JetBlue canceled flights to Boston, Tampa, LaGuardia, Miami, Philadelphia, and several regional airports.

• Key destinations impacted:
  • Boston Logan, Tampa, LaGuardia, Miami, Philadelphia, Augusta, Tulsa, Frederick Douglass/Greater Rochester, Columbia, Asheville, Charlottesville
  • Affected aircraft included CRJ7, CRJ9, B752, B712, and A321

Travelers experienced airport delays, as cancellations at this major hub affected connecting flights and overall network efficiency.

Impact on Passengers

The recent wave of flight cancellations across major U.S. airports highlights ongoing challenges for both airlines and travelers:

• Overlapping cancellations across multiple major hubs caused a chain reaction affecting connecting flights nationwide
• Both domestic and international routes were disrupted, with travelers facing missed connections and extended delays
• Airlines issued schedule updates and advised passengers to monitor notifications closely
• Airports experienced increased congestion and logistical challenges due to sudden flight disruptions

Passengers are encouraged to check with airlines ahead of departure, explore alternative routing options, and allow extra time at airports to accommodate delays.

Conclusion

These widespread flight cancellations demonstrate the operational strain on the U.S. aviation network, affecting everything from regional carriers to international flights. Travelers across JFK, LAX, DEN, DFW, ATL, and ORD were impacted, with disruptions spanning from early morning departures to late-night arrivals. While airlines work to update schedules and rebook passengers, travelers should remain proactive in checking flights and planning for potential delays.