East Coast Blizzard: Flight Cancellations & Travel Tips

Thousands of flights have been canceled and delayed as a relentless blizzard has hit multiple northeastern states, throwing air travel into chaos. More than 8,000 flights within, into, or out of the U.S. Were delayed as of Monday afternoon, and over 5,600 flights were canceled, according to flight-tracking platform FlightAware.

The storm, which has dumped more than two feet of snow in some areas, prompted governors in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York to issue traffic restrictions and warn residents to exercise caution. The disruptions are expected to continue through Tuesday, with over 1,700 U.S. Flights already canceled for that day.

Airports across the Northeast shared updates on social media about air travel disruptions, advising travelers to check with their airlines about the status of their flights. Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport announced on Monday morning that it had “temporarily suspended all airport operations” due to the inclement weather, stating officials would resume operations as soon as it was safe to do so.

Major airports including New York’s LaGuardia, Boston Logan International, and Philadelphia International Airport have experienced significant cancellations. More than 90% of flights at LaGuardia and Boston Logan, and over 80% at Philadelphia, were scrubbed on Monday. Airlines began canceling flights as early as Saturday to proactively manage the impact of the storm.

More than half a million power outages were reported across the East Coast as of midday Monday, with Massachusetts reporting over 289,000 outages and New Jersey reporting more than 141,000. Delaware and Rhode Island were also reporting tens of thousands of outages.

What to do if your flight is disrupted:

Keep checking with your airline about the status of your flight

It’s always good practice to check the status of your flight with your airline before heading to the airport, but that is especially important now. Travelers can also check the Federal Aviation Administration website or FlightAware to see conditions at their departure airport, including potential closures or delays.

If your flight is still expected to take off, consider arriving at the airport earlier than usual due to potential long lines and significant delays. Once at the airport, continue to monitor flight monitoring screens for up-to-date information.

If your flight is canceled, contact your airline

If your flight is canceled, contact your airline’s customer service – either in person at the airport, by phone, or through their website. You can rebook your flight, often at no additional cost. If you choose not to rebook, you are entitled to a refund.

If your flight is experiencing delays, be patient

Weather is unpredictable, and airport and airline staff are working to minimize disruptions while ensuring passenger and crew safety. While delays can be frustrating, patience is appreciated.

Airlines including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, and United Airlines have waived fees for eligible customers who rebook their flights. Snow accumulation climbed well into the double digits Monday, with parts of Long Island and New Jersey reporting more than 2 feet. Babylon, New York, reported over 29 inches, while Freehold, New Jersey, received more than 26 inches. In New York City, Central Park recorded over 19 inches of snow, making it the ninth biggest snowfall in the city’s history dating back to 1869.

Travelers are advised to stay informed and flexible as the storm continues to impact the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.