Flights Cancelled Swept The USA As 170 Cancellations And 3,207 Delays Affect Chicago And 11 Other Airports

Written By: Ryan Rashid

Ryan Rashid

Ryan Rashid writes news that people actually find and finish reading. Ryan has a knack for turning jargon-heavy updates into engaging journalism anyone can follow in under a minute. An English graduate from Calcutta University, he pairs sharp writing instincts with a solid grip on what makes a story travel online. He keeps a close eye on what's trending and what's about to, so stories land while they still matter. Underneath the fast pace, there's always solid research and clean editing holding it together.

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August 22, 2026 1:07 AM

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Flight cancellations persisted across the USA today, with 3,207 delays and 170 cancellations reported for flights within, into, or out of the country. Major airports affected included Chicago O’Hare International Airport, San Diego International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport, and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
Among airlines, American Airlines recorded 516 delays and 14 cancellations, while Delta Air Lines had 237 delays and 20 cancellations. JetBlue reported 145 delays and 21 cancellations, while PSA Airlines recorded 135 delays and 31 cancellations.
Operational restrictions were also affecting several airports. A ground stop at Chicago O’Hare International Airport was attributed to thunderstorms, while ground delays at San Francisco International Airport and Boston Logan International Airport were attributed to low ceilings. San Diego International Airport was experiencing an average 15-minute departure delay due to traffic volume.

• Chicago O’Hare International Airport recorded 351 delays and 5 cancellations.
• San Diego International Airport recorded 235 delays and 6 cancellations.
• San Francisco International Airport recorded 235 delays and 8 cancellations.
• Boston Logan International Airport recorded 196 delays and 5 cancellations.
• John F. Kennedy International Airport recorded 153 delays and 34 cancellations.
• Philadelphia International Airport recorded 149 delays and 25 cancellations.
• American Airlines recorded 516 delays and 14 cancellations.
• Delta Air Lines recorded 237 delays and 20 cancellations.
• PSA Airlines recorded 135 delays and 31 cancellations.
• Thunderstorms prompted a ground stop at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
• Low ceilings were causing ground delays at San Francisco International Airport and Boston Logan International Airport.

Most Affected USA Airports

Chicago O’Hare International Airport

Chicago O’Hare International Airport recorded 351 delays and 5 cancellations. The airport was also under a ground stop due to thunderstorms, adding another operational constraint to departing and arriving flights.

San Diego International Airport

San Diego International Airport recorded 235 delays and 6 cancellations. Its departure operations were facing an average delay of 15 minutes, with the delay increasing due to traffic volume.

San Francisco International Airport

San Francisco International Airport recorded 235 delays and 8 cancellations. A ground delay was in effect, with an average delay of 51 minutes due to low ceilings.

Boston Logan International Airport

Boston Logan International Airport recorded 196 delays and 5 cancellations. A ground delay was scheduled, with average delays of 74 minutes because of low ceilings.

John F Kennedy International Airport

John F Kennedy International Airport recorded 153 delays and 34 cancellations. Its cancellation figure was among the highest reported at the major U.S. airports in the figures provided.

Philadelphia International Airport

Philadelphia International Airport recorded 149 delays and 25 cancellations, making it another major point of disruption for travelers.

Airlines Most Affected by USA Flight Cancellations and Delays

American Airlines

American Airlines recorded 516 delays and 14 cancellations today, giving it the highest delay figure among the airlines in the figures provided.

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines recorded 237 delays and 20 cancellations. Its cancellation total was higher than that of American Airlines despite having fewer delays.

JetBlue

JetBlue recorded 145 delays and 21 cancellations, placing it among the airlines with notable disruption today.

PSA Airlines

PSA Airlines recorded 135 delays and 31 cancellations. Its cancellation figure was the highest among the four airlines with reported airline-specific figures.

What Should Passengers Facing Flight Cancellations Do?

• Check the airline’s latest flight status before leaving for the airport.
• If a flight is cancelled, contact the airline promptly to discuss rebooking options.
• Keep boarding passes, booking references, and other travel documents accessible.
• Check whether the airline provides an alternative flight through its website or mobile application.
• Allow additional time at the airport when delays or operational restrictions are in effect.
• Monitor airport and airline notifications for gate, departure-time, and aircraft changes.
• If traveling onward by rail, road, or another flight, review connections after receiving a new departure time.

Why Are Flights Being Cancelled Across The USA?

Current FAA operational information points to several factors affecting flight operations at individual airports. At Chicago O’Hare International Airport, a ground stop was attributed to thunderstorms. At San Francisco International Airport and Boston Logan International Airport, ground delays were attributed to low ceilings, with average delays of 51 and 74 minutes respectively.

At San Diego International Airport, departures were experiencing an average 15-minute delay due to traffic volume, with the delay increasing at the time of the update.

These operational restrictions can affect aircraft movement and schedules beyond the airport where the restriction is initially imposed. Weather conditions, airport traffic levels, and air-traffic-management measures can therefore contribute to delays and cancellations across connecting routes.

Overview of USA Flight Cancellations

The latest figures show continued disruption at several major aviation hubs in the USA, with Chicago O’Hare International Airport, San Diego International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, and Boston Logan International Airport among the airports recording substantial delay totals.

In New York, John F Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport were also affected, while Philadelphia International Airport recorded 149 delays and 25 cancellations. On the West Coast, Los Angeles International Airport recorded 126 delays, while San Diego International Airport and San Francisco International Airport each recorded 235 delays.

Airline operations were also affected. American Airlines recorded 516 delays, followed by Delta Air Lines with 237. JetBlue recorded 145 delays, while PSA Airlines recorded 135. Their cancellation figures were 14, 20, 21, and 31 respectively.

With 3,207 delays and 170 cancellations across flights within, into, or out of the United States today, passengers traveling through major airports may continue to encounter changes to departure times, gates, connections, or flight schedules as airport and air-traffic conditions evolve.

Yesterday also saw significant flight cancellations. Read our earlier coverage here.

The data has been extensively curated by our editorial team using real-time aviation figures recorded on 15 August 2026 at 1:41 pm ET USA

Primary Source: FlightAware.

Verification Protocol: All statistics have been independently reviewed and cross-checked by our human editorial desk. Timestamped records, data logs and feed snapshots are securely archived internally to support historical accuracy and editorial transparency.

Note: Real-time flight-tracking figures reflect active airspace and operational data. Minor variations may occur when compared with information displayed at individual airport terminals or airline departure gates.

Travellers are advised to check directly with their respective airlines and airports for the latest flight status, schedule changes and operational updates.