Air travel across the United States faced major disruption as winter storm Devin battered large parts of the country, leading to widespread flight cancellations and delays at the height of the holiday travel season.
According to flight tracking data, 1,581 flights within, into, or out of the US were cancelled, while 6,883 flights were delayed by Friday afternoon (US Eastern Time). The disruption came as severe winter weather reduced visibility, triggered airport congestion, and forced airlines to curtail operations for safety reasons.
The US National Weather Service warned that winter storm Devin was creating hazardous travel conditions, with heavy snowfall forecast across the Midwest and the Northeast. More than 40 million Americans were placed under winter storm warnings or weather advisories, while another 30 million people—particularly in California—were affected by flood and storm advisories due to an intense atmospheric river bringing torrential rainfall.
In New York City, authorities were preparing for up to 250 mm (10 inches) of snow, the heaviest snowfall expected in nearly four years. Airports serving the city—John F Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, and LaGuardia Airport—issued alerts warning travellers of potential delays and cancellations. Data showed that over half of all flight disruptions nationwide occurred at these three major hubs alone.
Several major US airlines were forced to cancel hundreds of flights. JetBlue Airways recorded the highest number of cancellations, grounding 225 flights on Friday, followed closely by Delta Air Lines with 212 cancellations. Republic Airways cancelled 157 flights, while American Airlines and United Airlines cancelled 146 and 97 flights, respectively. JetBlue later confirmed that approximately 350 flights across Friday and Saturday were cancelled, largely impacting the Northeast where the airline has a strong operational presence.
Meanwhile, conditions on the US West Coast were no less challenging. Southern California experienced its wettest Christmas season in 54 years, as repeated winter storms drenched the region, causing flooding concerns and further straining transport infrastructure.
With an Arctic blast expected to sweep down from Canada over the weekend, authorities warned that temperatures could plunge further, potentially prolonging travel disruptions. Passengers were advised to check flight status frequently, allow extra time at airports, and remain flexible with travel plans as weather conditions continue to evolve.
The severe impact of winter storm Devin has once again highlighted the vulnerability of air travel during extreme weather events, especially during high-demand holiday periods.
