US Air Travel Chaos Escalates as 280 Flights Canceled and 8,177 Delayed as United, Delta, Breeze, Hawaiian, and Spirit Ground Flights Across Lincoln, Moline, Cleveland, and More

Published on December 3, 2025

US air travel descended into chaos yesterday as 280 flights were cancelled and 8,177 delayed, primarily due to a combination of operational issues at major carriers such as United, Delta, Breeze, Hawaiian, and Spirit. The disruptions, which impacted cities including Lincoln, Moline, and Cleveland, were driven by staffing shortages, logistical failures, and a series of cascading delays that affected both major international hubs and regional airports. As a result, thousands of passengers found themselves stranded, with many facing long waits for rebookings or alternative transportation.

The United States’ air travel system was severely impacted yesterday as 8,177 flights were delayed and 280 flights cancelled, causing widespread disruption across major hubs and regional airports. The impact was felt across the country, with notable delays and cancellations in cities like Lincoln, Moline, and Manhattan, among many others. Passengers were stranded, connections missed, and travel plans thrown into chaos as some of the country’s largest airlines — including United, Delta, Breeze, Hawaiian, and Spirit — bore the brunt of the disruption.

The Scale of the Disruption

The total number of delayed and cancelled flights yesterday represents a staggering blow to an already fragile air travel infrastructure in the United States. With over 8,000 delays, the system struggled to maintain its usual flow, while the cancellation of 280 flights left countless passengers in limbo. These disruptions were not limited to large international hubs like Chicago O’Hare or Boston Logan; even smaller regional airports were significantly affected.

Airport-by-Airport Breakdown: A Closer Look at the Impact

The following table provides a breakdown of the airport-specific disruptions, showcasing where the delays and cancellations hit the hardest. The figures reflect a mix of major international airports and regional hubs, each facing unique challenges.

As shown in the table, Chicago O’Hare International (ORD) faced the highest number of delays — 735 flights, which accounted for 58% of the airport’s total departures. This was followed by LaGuardia (LGA), where 55% of flights were delayed, and Reagan National (DCA), with 52% of flights delayed. Smaller regional airports such as Lebanon Muni (LEB) and Adirondack Regional (SLK) saw a high percentage of cancellations, reflecting a complete disruption of service.

While larger hubs like John F Kennedy International (JFK) and Boston Logan International (BOS) had relatively lower cancellation rates, delays remained significant, with JFK experiencing 181 delays (27% of scheduled flights) and BOS reporting 184 delays (30% of scheduled flights).

Airlines: How the Major Carriers Fared

The next table looks at the airline-specific impact, where major U.S. airlines were responsible for a significant portion of the delays and cancellations. Regional airlines, in particular, suffered high cancellation rates, with some carriers cancelling as much as 7% of their scheduled flights.

Notably, SkyWest Airlines, a regional carrier, had the highest number of cancelled flights — 71 — contributing to 3% of its total flights. Endeavor Air and Republic Airlines, both regional affiliates, faced very high cancellation rates, with Endeavor Air seeing a 59% delay rate and Republic Airlines experiencing a cancellation rate of 1%.

While major airlines like Delta and United did not experience particularly high cancellation rates, they still logged significant delays, with Delta having 818 delayed flights (24%) and United contributing 723 delayed flights (26%).

The massive scale of delays and cancellations yesterday highlights the vulnerabilities in the U.S. air travel network. While larger airports had the resources to manage some disruptions, smaller hubs and regional carriers were exposed, leaving passengers stranded and inconvenienced. The system needs a major overhaul to better handle disruptions, particularly in regional networks that are disproportionately affected when larger airports experience issues.

US air travel was plunged into chaos yesterday as 280 flights were cancelled and 8,177 delayed, primarily due to operational issues and staffing shortages at major carriers like United, Delta, Breeze, Hawaiian, and Spirit. The disruptions impacted airports across the country, including Lincoln, Moline, and Cleveland, leaving passengers stranded and scrambling for alternate flights.

For travelers, the chaos of yesterday serves as a reminder that planning for extra time, considering direct flights, and being prepared for the possibility of delays is more important than ever in the current state of U.S. air travel.