US Flights in Meltdown — 569 Cancelled, 5,713 Delayed Across America Today
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Quick Summary
- 569 flights cancelled and 5,713 delayed across the US today — source: FlightAware
- LaGuardia (LGA) worst hit: 135 cancellations and 372 delays; Newark (EWR) follows with 100 cancellations and 267 delays
- A storm system combining tornadoes, polar vortex blizzards, and near-record heat in the West is battering the country simultaneously
- Southwest Airlines leads on delays with 1,033; Republic Airways leads on cancellations with 98
US Aviation System in Crisis — One of the Worst Disruption Days of 2026
United, Delta, Southwest, American Airlines, and more than a dozen other carriers are recording massive flight disruptions today as a powerful multi-system weather event tears through the central and eastern United States. A total of 569 flights have been cancelled and 5,713 delayed — affecting passengers at airports across New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Denver, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and beyond. The storm complex that began developing on March 10, 2026 has now fully engulfed the US air traffic network, combining tornado outbreaks in the Southeast, blizzard conditions in the Upper Midwest, and an extreme temperature contrast driven by a weakening polar vortex. All data is sourced from FlightAware.
The Storm System Behind the Chaos
Tornadoes, Hail, and Severe Thunderstorms Across the Central and Eastern US
The severe weather outbreak began on March 10, 2026 when a major storm system formed across the central United States. By March 11, the system had expanded dramatically — the National Weather Service placed more than 15 million people under tornado warnings as storms developed across Texas, Louisiana, and parts of the Mid-Atlantic. The threat then shifted northeastward, spreading into Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Mississippi.
The outbreak produced large hail, destructive winds, and confirmed tornadoes — including an EF-1 tornado that struck Arkansas, causing power outages and property damage. States including Indiana, Illinois, and Mississippi all reported tornado touchdowns. Hailstones measuring up to 6 inches in diameter were recorded in some affected areas.
Polar Vortex Blizzard Hitting the Upper Midwest
Simultaneously, a weakening polar vortex is driving Arctic air southward into the continental United States, bringing heavy snow and ice storms to the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes region — specifically Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Heavy snow and ice are accumulating along the US-Canada border.
Forecasters are warning of a bomb cyclone developing over the region, with wind gusts projected at 30–50 mph, near-zero visibility, and blizzard conditions. The cold surge is expected to intensify, extending the disruption window beyond today.
Near-Record Heat in the West Creates Dangerous Contrast
While the East and Midwest are frozen, the West is experiencing the opposite extreme. Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Las Vegas have seen temperatures approach the 90s — near-record warmth for mid-March. This dramatic temperature contrast across the country is a direct consequence of the weakening polar vortex and is adding operational complexity for carriers flying coast-to-coast routes.
Airport-by-Airport Breakdown
The full disruption table for US airports today (source: FlightAware):
| Airport | Cancellations | Delays |
|---|---|---|
| LaGuardia (LGA) | 135 | 372 |
| Newark Liberty International (EWR) | 100 | 267 |
| Denver International (DEN) | 37 | 742 |
| Reagan National (DCA) | 34 | 343 |
| Charlotte/Douglas International (CLT) | 31 | 628 |
| Chicago O'Hare International (ORD) | 31 | 326 |
| John F. Kennedy International (JFK) | 28 | 200 |
| Philadelphia International (PHL) | 28 | 201 |
| Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) | 19 | 385 |
| Boston Logan International (BOS) | 23 | 184 |
| Billings Logan International (BIL) | 26 | 5 |
| Fort Lauderdale International (FLL) | 13 | 176 |
| Detroit Metro Wayne County (DTW) | 14 | 149 |
| Wilmington International (ILM) | 14 | 24 |
| Los Angeles International (LAX) | 12 | 140 |
| Pittsburgh International (PIT) | 12 | 55 |
| Miami International (MIA) | 11 | 136 |
| Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) | 10 | 111 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth International (DFW) | 7 | 165 |
| John Glenn Columbus International (CMH) | 7 | 29 |
| Indianapolis International (IND) | 6 | 32 |
| Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG) | 6 | 30 |
| Harry Reid International (LAS) | 5 | 63 |
| Hawaiian Airlines / Muhammad Ali International (SDF) | 5 | 17 |
| Syracuse Hancock International (SYR) | 5 | 10 |
| Bangor International (BGR) | 5 | 5 |
| Orlando International (MCO) | 4 | 131 |
LaGuardia and Newark together account for 235 cancellations — more than 41% of the national total — reflecting the acute impact of the storm on the New York metro area's aviation infrastructure.
Denver International leads on delays with 742, driven by the converging polar vortex and storm system over Colorado.
Airline-by-Airline Breakdown
| Airline | Cancelled | Delayed |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlines | 10 | 1,033 |
| American Airlines | 3 | 673 |
| United Airlines | 60 | 494 |
| PSA Airlines (American Eagle) | 65 | 310 |
| SkyWest | 29 | 331 |
| Republic Airways | 98 | 255 |
| Endeavor Air (Delta Connection) | 54 | 256 |
| Delta Air Lines | 48 | 374 |
| Piedmont Airlines (American Eagle) | 21 | 225 |
| JetBlue | 3 | 171 |
| Spirit Airlines | 15 | 141 |
| Frontier Airlines | 4 | 127 |
| GoJet Airlines (United Express) | 17 | 67 |
| CommuteAir (United Express) | 4 | 54 |
| Mesa Airlines (United Express) | 5 | 25 |
| Hawaiian Airlines | 5 | 14 |
Southwest leads on delays with 1,033 — more than any other single carrier. Republic Airways leads on cancellations with 98, followed by PSA Airlines with 65 and United with 60. The regional carrier disruption pattern — Republic, PSA, Endeavor, SkyWest, Piedmont — signals that feeder network operations are collapsing across the affected regions, compounding the mainline carrier disruptions.
Key Facts: US Flight Disruptions, March 13, 2026
- Total cancellations: 569
- Total delays: 5,713
- Source: FlightAware
- Storm onset: March 10, 2026 — central US severe weather outbreak
- Tornado warnings: 15+ million people under warning as of March 11
- Confirmed tornado: EF-1 in Arkansas — power outages and property damage
- Hail: Up to 6 inches in diameter recorded
- Blizzard threat: Bomb cyclone forecast — 30–50 mph gusts across Upper Midwest and Great Lakes
- States under snow/ice threat: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan
- West temperatures: Los Angeles, Phoenix, Las Vegas — near-record 90s°F
- Worst airport for cancellations: LaGuardia (LGA) — 135 cancelled / 372 delayed
- Worst airport for delays: Denver International (DEN) — 742 delays
- Worst airline for delays: Southwest — 1,033 delays
- Worst airline for cancellations: Republic Airways — 98 cancellations
What This Means for Travelers
This is not a localised disruption — the combination of tornado outbreaks in the Southeast, polar vortex blizzards in the Midwest, and near-record heat in the West has created a nationwide aviation stress event. With 5,713 delays already confirmed and more storms forecast, the disruption will almost certainly extend into tomorrow.
If you're flying today or in the next 48 hours:
- Check your flight status through your airline's app before leaving for the airport — gate changes and last-minute cancellations are happening continuously
- Request a travel waiver from your airline if your route is affected — most major carriers are offering fee-free rebooking during declared weather events
- Under US Department of Transportation regulations, airlines are required to offer rebooking or a full refund for cancelled flights — know your rights before you call customer service
- Passengers in the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes region should prepare for rapidly deteriorating conditions as the forecast bomb cyclone moves in
- If travelling through New York metro airports (LGA, EWR, JFK), allow extra time and have a backup routing plan — all three are heavily congested today
More Storms on the Way Before Conditions Clear
With a bomb cyclone forecast to intensify over the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes and the original tornado outbreak system continuing to track northeastward, today's disruption figures are likely to rise further through the afternoon and evening hours. Passengers with travel planned across the coming 48–72 hours into or through Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, and Boston should monitor updates closely and proactively contact their carriers rather than waiting for notification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which US airport has the most flight cancellations today? LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York has the most cancellations today — 135 flights cancelled and 372 delayed. Newark Liberty International (EWR) is second with 100 cancellations and 267 delays. Together, the two New York metro airports account for more than 40% of all US cancellations today.
Which airline has the most delays in the US today? Southwest Airlines has the most delays today by a significant margin — 1,033 flights delayed with only 10 cancellations. American Airlines follows with 673 delays, and United Airlines has 494 delays and 60 cancellations.
What is causing the US flight cancellations and delays today? A major multi-system weather event is responsible. A severe thunderstorm and tornado outbreak began on March 10, 2026, putting over 15 million people under tornado warnings in Texas, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Mississippi. Simultaneously, a weakening polar vortex is driving a blizzard system with a forecast bomb cyclone (30–50 mph winds) across the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes. An EF-1 tornado struck Arkansas. The US-Canada border region is experiencing heavy snow and ice accumulation.
Am I entitled to compensation if my US flight is cancelled today? Under US Department of Transportation rules, airlines must offer either a rebooking on the next available flight or a full refund if a flight is cancelled, regardless of the cause. However, weather is classed as an "extraordinary circumstance" — meaning airlines are not required to pay additional cash compensation beyond the refund or rebooking. Meal and hotel vouchers may be offered at the airline's discretion. Check your carrier's specific travel waiver policy for today's disruption event.
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