Massive U.S. winter storm triggers widespread flight cancellations and major travel disruption

A massive winter storm sweeping across wide portions of the United States snarled air travel Sunday, with major hubs reporting extensive delays and cancellations as conditions worsened from the South into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

Airlines preemptively cut schedules and warned passengers to check flight status before leaving for the airport, while airports urged travelers to rebook early and expect long customer-service lines as the storm disrupted staffing and ground operations.

Officials in multiple states issued emergency declarations and urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel amid dangerous road conditions, power-outage risks, and rapidly changing forecasts.

What to do if your flight is affected

• Rebook using the airline app/website first (lines at the airport may be long).
• Check for fee waivers and flexible rebooking policies tied to the storm.
• If you must travel, pack essentials in carry-on luggage in case of missed connections or diversions.