A historic aviation meltdown is unfolding across the United States this weekend as Winter Storm Fern hammers the country with crippling snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. As of Sunday morning, January 25, airlines have cancelled more than 12,000 flights, leaving hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded from the Southern Plains to the Northeast. With over 230 million Americans under winter weather alerts, the storm has brought major hubs like Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, and New York City to a standstill, marking one of the most disruptive travel weekends in recent history.

Flight Cancellations Today: A Weekend of Travel Chaos

The scale of the disruption is staggering. According to the latest data from flight tracking services, flight cancellations today have surged past 8,000, following nearly 4,000 cancellations on Saturday. The total number of grounded flights for the weekend now exceeds 12,000, with numbers continuing to climb as the storm intensifies over the East Coast.

Major transit hubs are reporting severe US airport delays and ground stops. Dallas-Fort Worth International (DFW) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) have been among the hardest hit, with ice accumulation forcing runways to close for de-icing operations. In the Northeast, airports including JFK, LaGuardia, and Boston Logan are facing deteriorating conditions, with widespread cancellations expected to persist through Monday morning.

Airline Travel Waivers: Delta, American, and Southwest Respond

In response to the crisis, major carriers have issued flexible airline travel waivers to allow passengers to rebook without penalties. Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Southwest, and United have all activated severe weather policies for travel dates through January 26.

  • Delta Air Lines has suspended operations at several regional airports and is offering fee-free changes for passengers flying through Atlanta and Northeast hubs.
  • American Airlines, having cancelled over 2,000 flights this weekend alone, is urging customers to check their app before heading to the airport.
  • Southwest Airlines has warned of rolling disruptions across its network, particularly for flights connecting through the Midwest and Texas.

Travelers are strongly advised to utilize their airline’s mobile app or a flight status tracker to confirm their itinerary before leaving home. Most airlines are encouraging passengers to delay non-essential travel until the storm passes.

Storm Path and Impact: Ice, Snow, and Power Outages

Winter Storm Fern is proving to be a multi-hazard event. The system began by dumping heavy snow and ice across Texas and the Tennessee Valley on Saturday before tracking northeast. Meteorologists warn that the storm’s impact is far from over, with significant snowfall predicted for the I-95 corridor from Washington D.C. to Boston throughout Sunday.

Beyond the winter weather travel update, the storm has caused widespread infrastructure damage. Power outages have topped 135,000 nationwide, with significant clusters in Texas, Louisiana, and the Carolinas. Dangerous wind chills and icing on roadways have led officials in 18 states to declare states of emergency, urging residents to stay off the roads to allow crews to clear snow and restore electricity.

What to Do If Your Flight Is Cancelled

If you are caught in the chaos of blizzard news 2026, acting quickly is essential. If your flight is cancelled, do not wait in line at the airport service desk. Instead, use the airline’s app or website to rebook immediately. Many carriers have automated rebooking systems in place during mass disruption events.

For those unable to find a seat on a new flight, consider alternative airports or check if your credit card offers travel insurance that covers weather-related cancellations. With seats filling up fast for the coming week, securing a new reservation as soon as the notification arrives is critical.

As Winter Storm Fern continues its march across the U.S., travelers should prepare for a slow recovery. Airlines anticipate it may take several days to reposition aircraft and crews, meaning delays could linger well into the work week.