Northeast U.S. storm cancels 7,000+ flights; travel waivers in place

A winter storm across the northeastern United States has led to extensive air travel disruption, with more than 7,000 flight cancellations since Monday. Major U.S. carriers, including American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and United, issued advisories and are offering fee-free changes via travel waivers. Disruptions are expected to continue for several days. Travelers are advised to monitor airline apps for rebooking options. As the cause is weather-related, airlines generally are not responsible for costs like meals or accommodation. Rail and bus services also saw interruptions, especially around New York and Boston.

A strong winter storm moving through the northeastern United States has caused widespread air travel disruption. Since Monday, over 7,000 flights have been canceled, including more than 5,700 on Monday and a further 2,100 on Tuesday. Airlines indicate that delays and cancellations are likely to persist for several days as the weather system continues.

All major U.S. carriers referenced in the report—American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and United—have issued travel advisories and are offering travel waivers that allow passengers to change flights without fees. Travelers are advised to check their airline’s app or website for real-time flight status, waiver eligibility, and rebooking options. For a consolidated view of flight operations across major U.S. airports, FlightAware is highlighted as a useful resource.

Because the disruption is weather-related, airlines generally are not responsible for expenses such as meals or accommodation when travelers are stranded. Passengers should review the specific terms of the airline’s waiver and use mobile notifications to stay updated on schedule changes.

The storm has also affected surface transportation. Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor experienced partial suspensions and multiple cancellations on Tuesday between Washington, D.C., and Boston, with services reported largely restored by Wednesday and operators directly notifying customers about changes. Bus services from Greyhound, FlixBus, and Megabus saw significant interruptions in New York and Boston on Tuesday, with services resuming early Wednesday. Passengers using rail or bus services are encouraged to monitor provider alerts via text or email.

With hazardous conditions ongoing, travelers should remain flexible with plans, verify their booking options under airline waivers, and monitor official communications closely for updates on further delays or cancellations.