- Flight Disruptions
- Chicago O'Hare, JFK, and LAX among airports hit by 1,607 delays and 57 cancellations
Chicago O'Hare, JFK, and LAX among airports hit by 1,607 delays and 57 cancellations
Check how much the airline owes you.
It's free and takes 2 minutes.
Eligible for compensation
Checked by Josh Arnfield
Last updated on 14 May 2026
1,664
Affected flights
7
Affected airports
5
Affected airlines
Disruption overview
US air travel ran into major disruption on 14 May 2026, with 1,607 flight delays and 57 cancellations recorded nationwide by midday. Chicago O'Hare International Airport had the highest delay total at 177, while San Francisco International Airport logged 153 delays and 3 cancellations, and Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport led cancellations with 12. Airlines said internal aircraft-rotation and scheduling problems were driving the disruption, and passengers on eligible EU routes may still be able to claim up to €600 compensation under EC 261 if their flight was canceled or delayed by more than 3 hours.
Passengers affected by this flight disruption may be eligible for compensation of up to €600 under passenger rights regulations.
Get flight compensation
free compensation check
fast and risk-free
highest success rate
Disruption details
US air travel was heavily disrupted on 14 May 2026, with 1,607 flights delayed and 57 canceled nationwide by midday.
Major hubs including Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) were all under pressure. For passengers, that meant missed connections, longer waits, and constant status checks before heading to the airport.
The heaviest delay total was at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, which recorded 177 delays. San Francisco International Airport followed with 153 delays and 3 cancellations, while John F. Kennedy International Airport logged 70 delays and 8 cancellations.
Some of the worst-affected airports were:
Chicago O'Hare International Airport recorded 177 delays.
San Francisco International Airport recorded 153 delays and 3 cancellations.
John F. Kennedy International Airport recorded 70 delays and 8 cancellations.
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport recorded 12 cancellations, the highest cancellation total among the airports listed.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport recorded 56 delays and 4 cancellations.
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport recorded 31 delays and 6 cancellations.
On the West Coast, Los Angeles International Airport and San Francisco together accounted for more than 250 delays, showing how quickly disruption was spreading between major hubs. The knock-on effect also reached the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, where Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport both reported delays and cancellations.
Airlines were under similar strain. American Airlines had 239 delayed departures, Southwest Airlines had 227, and United Airlines was dealing with 146 delays and 12 cancellations, one of the highest cancellation counts of the day. Alaska Airlines logged 9 cancellations, and Tradewind Aviation was also among the carriers with a notable share of canceled flights.
The main cause appears to be internal airline operations rather than weather or air traffic control restrictions. Aviation authorities and airline spokespeople pointed to aircraft-rotation problems and scheduling irregularities as the main drivers of the disruption.
No formal ground stops were declared, but the disruption was still unfolding and there was no estimate for when operations would fully return to normal. Passengers were being told to arrive early, keep push notifications switched on in airline apps, and be ready for gate changes or rolling delays through the evening peak.
By the middle of the day, thousands of travelers had already missed connections or been forced to rebook. If you were flying through Chicago, San Juan, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, or Anchorage, checking your flight status directly with your airline before leaving for the airport was especially important.
Because the disruption was linked to internal airline operations, some affected passengers on EU-bound or EU-origin itineraries may be able to claim up to €600 compensation under EC 261 if their flight was canceled or arrived more than 3 hours late. If your trip was entirely within the US, different U.S. Department of Transportation refund and tarmac-delay rules may apply instead. If your journey falls under EC 261, you can check your compensation with AirHelp in just 2 minutes.
Know your rights
These are your air passenger rights
When your flight's disrupted, you may be entitled to various forms of care and compensation under EC 261 and other applicable laws.
Up to €600 compensation
Passengers whose flights were canceled or delayed over 3 hours may be entitled to financial compensation ranging up to €600 per person. Check your flight.
Rerouting or refund
If your flight is canceled, your airline must provide an alternative. You may also get a full refund if you no longer wish to travel.
Care and assistance
Your airline must provide food and refreshments if your journey is delayed more than a few hours.
Accommodation
If you are away from home and your journey is delayed overnight, the airline must offer you accommodation and transportation to it.
Communication
Under EC 261 you are entitled to 2 phone calls or emails if your journey is delayed over 1 hour.
This advice is provided to help you if your flight is delayed or canceled. However, the exact care and compensation you are entitled to will depend on your specific circumstances and flight. Always follow the directions of your airline, particularly with regard to check-in and boarding times.
Quick facts
Summary
Disruption
Delays and Cancellations
Cause
Other
Status
Current disruption
Compensation
Could be eligible for up to €600 compensation
Flights affected
1664
Airlines affected
American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Tradewind Aviation
Airports affected
O'Hare International Airport, Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport
Cities affected
Chicago, San Juan, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Anchorage
Countries affected
United States, Puerto Rico
Start date
2026-05-14
Checked by
Josh Arnfield
Date updated
14 May 2026
What to do if your flight is delayed, canceled, or overbooked
If you're traveling to, from, or within the European Union, here's what you should do when you experience a disruption.
Gather evidence that your flight was delayed, canceled, or overbooked.
Get the airline to provide written confirmation of the disruption and the reason behind it.
Request an alternative flight to your destination — or a refund if you no longer wish to travel.
Make a note of the arrival time at your final destination.
Ask the airline to provide vouchers for meals and refreshments.
Avoid signing documents or accepting offers that may waive your passenger rights.
If an overnight stay is required, ask the airline to provide accommodation.
Save receipts for any additional expenses caused by the disruption.
