Over 5,000 US Flights Cancelled, Delayed Amid Northeast Storms

NEW YORK– Severe thunderstorms and extreme weather conditions across the U.S. Northeast have caused widespread flight disruptions, grounding thousands of flights at major airports and prompting emergency responses from airlines.

Airlines such as Delta Air Lines (DL), JetBlue Airways (B6), and American Airlines (AA) have issued change fee waivers for affected travelers departing from key hubs like New York (JFK, LGA), Boston (BOS), Washington, D.C. (DCA), and Philadelphia (PHL).

Photo: Corey Seeman

Over 5,000 US Flights Cancelled

A powerful cold front pushing through the U.S. Northeast brought heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, strong winds, and sweltering heat advisories, leading to over 7,000 combined flight cancellations and delays.

According to FlightAware, by 8:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, more than 4,400 flights were delayed and over 500 canceled nationwide, impacting operations from LaGuardia Airport (LGA), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued ground stops for major airports, including Newark Liberty (EWR), Baltimore/Washington (BWI), and Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW), citing dangerous weather conditions. At JFK and LGA, departure delays exceeded 90 minutes, especially complicating return travel following the July 4 holiday weekend.

Photo: James Cridland | Flickr

Which Airlines Have Issued Waivers?

To accommodate disrupted travel plans, multiple airlines enacted weather waivers:

• American Airlines (AA) – Waivers for flights scheduled through July 8
• Delta Air Lines (DL) – Waivers through July 9
• JetBlue Airways (B6) – Waivers through July 8
• Southwest Airlines (WN) – Waivers through July 8
• United Airlines (UA) – Waivers through July 8

These waivers apply to specific cities and timeframes, and generally allow passengers to rebook without fees. Travelers are advised to check each airline’s waiver policy online or through their mobile app.

What Are Your Rights If Your Flight Is Canceled?

If a flight is canceled for any reason, passengers are entitled to a full refund if they opt not to travel. In cases of controllable disruptions—such as mechanical or crew issues—airlines must offer rebooking, accommodations, meal vouchers, or hotel stays at no extra cost.

However, weather-related cancellations are not considered controllable, meaning compensation is limited. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has a Consumer Dashboard that outlines passenger rights and airline obligations.

Understanding Flight Delays and Refund Rules

Under DOT rules effective since October, passengers are eligible for a refund if their flight is significantly delayed and the cause is within the airline’s control. Significant delays are defined as:

• Domestic flights: 3+ hours late
• International flights: 6+ hours late

While U.S. airlines do not provide cash compensation for delays, major carriers like United (UA), Delta (DL), American (AA), and Southwest (WN) typically offer hotel accommodations and transportation for overnight, controllable delays.

Photo: CC-BY-SA 4.0 Matti Blume

East Coast Braces for More Travel Disruptions

Severe weather conditions are forecast to persist through the week, particularly in New York (JFK, LGA), New Jersey (EWR), Pennsylvania (PHL), Maryland (BWI), and Washington, D.C. (DCA).

Flash flood warnings are active in Texas (AUS, SAT), while the Mid-Atlantic—including Georgia (ATL), Virginia (RIC, DCA), and the Carolinas (CLT, RDU)—is preparing for more thunderstorm activity.

On June 30, a similar storm system grounded thousands of flights across the East Coast. If conditions worsen later this week, airlines may extend waivers, and additional cancellations could follow.

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