Travelers across the United States are facing fresh disruption as dozens of flights are canceled and hundreds more delayed at some of the country’s busiest hubs. On February 9, 2026, at least 37 flights were scrapped and more than 400 delayed across key airports including Atlanta and Los Angeles, with knock-on effects reported on services to Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, and other major destinations. Airlines affected include Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Air France, Air Canada, and several domestic carriers, as operations struggle to recover from a powerful winter storm and ongoing staffing and operational constraints.
Fresh Wave of Cancellations Across Major U.S. Hubs
The latest wave of cancellations comes as airlines work to stabilize their schedules after a major winter storm swept from the southern Rockies to New England in early February. That storm led to more than 10,000 flights canceled nationwide in a single day, one of the worst cancellation totals since the pandemic. While the weather system has now moved on, its operational aftershocks continue to ripple through the network, with aircraft and crew still displaced and airport operations strained.
On February 9, 2026, monitoring data showed at least 37 flights canceled and 432 delayed across the United States and Canada, with particular pressure on Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport. These numbers may sound modest compared with the peak storm chaos, but they represent a concentrated impact on some of the busiest routes in North America. Even a relatively small pool of cancellations can strand thousands of passengers once key trunk routes are involved.
At Atlanta, the world’s busiest passenger airport and a crucial hub for Delta and partner airlines, cancellations and delays on both domestic and international services have slowed the recovery. Flights linking Atlanta with Chicago, New York, Dallas, and several West Coast cities, including Los Angeles and Las Vegas, have seen intermittent disruption, leading to missed connections and forced overnight stays. Further north, Chicago area airports have also experienced severe weather related constraints this month, compounding the challenge of keeping the nation’s air network flowing smoothly.
Airlines Most Affected: Delta, United, Air France, and Partners
Delta Air Lines and United Airlines remain among the most affected carriers in this latest disruption phase, reflecting their heavy reliance on major hub airports in storm affected regions. During the height of the winter weather event in early February, Delta, United, American, Southwest, and JetBlue collectively canceled thousands of flights as conditions deteriorated across the Northeast and Mid Atlantic. In the days since, they have continued to trim schedules and consolidate services to restore operational stability.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced particular pressure at its main hub. A combination of weather, staffing shortages, and congested ground operations has forced the airline and its regional subsidiaries to cut selected flights and rebook passengers through alternative routings. Routes from Atlanta to New York, Chicago, and Las Vegas have been among those affected, with some flights scrubbed entirely and others departing with significant delays as aircraft and crews arrive out of position.
United, whose network is anchored by hubs in Chicago, Newark, Denver, Houston, and San Francisco, has also been forced to cancel and delay flights as winter storm impacts and knock on staffing constraints ripple through its schedule. The carrier has reported widespread disruption in the past week, with a focus on long haul and transcontinental routes where a single aircraft out of position can affect passengers across several cities. In addition, foreign carriers such as Air France, which operates services into major U.S. gateways like Los Angeles, New York, and increasingly leisure focused cities such as Las Vegas, have seen schedule adjustments and disruptions tied to both U.S. weather and operational issues in Europe.
Key Routes Bearing the Brunt: Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York
While disruption has been felt nationwide, a cluster of trunk routes between major hubs has borne the brunt. Flights linking Atlanta with New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas are among the most heavily trafficked in the United States, carrying a mix of business travelers, leisure passengers, and those connecting to onward domestic and international services. When cancellations strike on these corridors, the ripple effects can quickly spread across the national network.
New York area airports, which experienced some of the highest cancellation rates during the early February storm, are gradually returning to normal, but schedules remain fragile. At one point, LaGuardia canceled more than 90 percent of departures in a single day, while John F. Kennedy International Airport also saw a majority of flights grounded. As airlines rebuild service, they are prioritizing core routes between New York and hubs such as Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and major European cities, which leaves less resilience to absorb new weather or staffing shocks.
On the West Coast, Los Angeles International Airport has seen cancellations and delays linked both to the national storm pattern and to aircraft arriving late from other regions. Routes from LAX to Atlanta, Chicago, and New York have faced intermittent disruption, affecting not only U.S. passengers but also international travelers connecting to long haul flights operated by airlines like Delta, United, and Air France. Las Vegas, which has recently attracted new European services and expanded transcontinental links, has also experienced schedule adjustments as airlines juggle limited resources in the wake of the storm.
Why a Single Storm Still Disrupts Travel Days Later
Many travelers are surprised to find their flights canceled days after the skies clear. The explanation lies in the complexity of airline operations. A major storm can force airlines to cancel thousands of flights in a short time. When that happens, aircraft and crew are no longer where they are supposed to be in the network. It can take several days of carefully managed flying to return planes and staff to their scheduled positions, even in good weather.
The early February winter storm that swept across the United States triggered more than 10,000 cancellations in a single day, with key hubs in New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Dallas, Charlotte, and Atlanta particularly hard hit. At some airports, nearly all flights were grounded for portions of the day. These sudden, large scale disruptions required airlines to completely reshape their schedules, often prioritizing certain markets and consolidating flights where possible.
Complicating matters further, airlines are still contending with tight staffing at both operational and air traffic control levels. Even a small number of illness absences or last minute crew timing issues can have outsize effects when schedules are already stretched thin. In addition, the need for extended de icing procedures in cold weather slows airport operations, reducing the number of flights that can depart per hour and increasing the risk of knock on delays and cancellations.
Impact on Travelers: Missed Connections, Refunds, and Limited Alternatives
For passengers booked on affected flights, the consequences can include missed connections, overnight layovers, and unplanned expenses. Travelers heading to or from hubs such as Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and New York are especially vulnerable, since disruption at one end of the route can cascade through connecting itineraries. A canceled flight into Atlanta, for example, may cause a passenger to miss a onward connection to a smaller city, with limited later options available the same day.
Under U.S. regulations, passengers are entitled to a refund if their flight is canceled and they choose not to travel, even if the airline attributes the disruption to weather. Airlines typically also allow free rebooking onto the next available flight on the same route. However, in periods of widespread disruption, those next available seats may not depart until many hours or even a day later, particularly on popular routes or during peak travel periods.
Some carriers provide meal vouchers, hotel accommodation, or other assistance when cancellations stem from internal operational issues rather than weather. Policies vary significantly by airline, and travelers are encouraged to check the specific terms of their carrier. European airlines such as Air France may be subject to additional consumer protection rules on itineraries originating in the European Union, which can sometimes result in compensation payments for long delays or cancellations under certain conditions.
How Airlines Are Responding and What to Expect Next
Airlines affected by the latest cancellations have launched recovery plans focused on restoring reliability on core routes and communicating more proactively with customers. Carriers such as Delta and United are using larger aircraft where possible to consolidate passengers from multiple canceled flights onto a single service. They are also temporarily trimming less critical frequencies, particularly on routes where multiple daily flights operate, to create more buffer room in their schedules.
At key hubs, airport authorities and airlines are coordinating to streamline ground operations, including de icing queues and gate assignments, in an effort to minimize further knock on delays. Some airports have brought in additional ground staff or extended shifts to speed up aircraft turnarounds and baggage handling. However, until airlines fully reposition aircraft and crews following the early February storm, travelers should expect that schedules may continue to be fragile for several days.
Industry analysts note that while overall cancellation rates in the United States have improved compared with the worst post pandemic years, severe weather events can still cause sharp, short term spikes in disruption. With climate patterns shifting and winter storms sometimes arriving with less predictable timing, airlines are under pressure to improve resilience, both through better forecasting and more flexible crew and fleet deployment strategies.
Practical Advice for Passengers Traveling in the Coming Days
Travelers booked to or from Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, and other major hubs in the coming days are urged to monitor their flight status closely. The most up to date information is typically available through airline mobile apps or text and email alerts, which often show changes before airport departure boards are updated. Checking in online early and ensuring contact details are correct in the booking can make a significant difference if an airline needs to notify passengers of schedule changes.
In times of elevated disruption, flexibility is crucial. Passengers with non essential travel may wish to take advantage of any change fee waivers or travel advisories issued by airlines, shifting their journeys to later dates when operations are more stable. Those who must travel should build extra time into their itineraries, particularly if they have onward connections or critical appointments at their destination. Booking earlier flights in the day can also improve chances of same day reaccommodation if things go wrong, since there are more subsequent departures available.
For those already stranded, keeping records of expenses and communications with the airline can be helpful if pursuing refunds or reimbursement later. Travelers should also familiarize themselves with their rights under both U.S. and, where applicable, European regulations, especially when flying with international carriers such as Air France on transatlantic routes. While not every delay or cancellation qualifies for compensation, understanding the rules can help passengers make informed decisions about whether to accept rebooking options, request a refund, or seek alternative transport.
Outlook for the Rest of the Winter Travel Season
As the United States moves through the heart of the winter season, further weather related disruptions cannot be ruled out. Meteorologists warn that additional storms may affect parts of the country over the coming weeks, potentially impacting the same high traffic corridors now under strain. Airlines are watching forecasts closely and may proactively cut flights if conditions appear likely to become unsafe or unmanageable, a strategy that can sometimes reduce last minute chaos but still leads to significant schedule changes.
For now, industry observers say the key test will be how quickly carriers can restore normal operations following the February storm and this latest cluster of cancellations. If airlines manage to realign aircraft and crews efficiently, the impact on the rest of the month could be limited. However, if further weather systems or operational hiccups occur before schedules fully recover, travelers may see a continued pattern of rolling disruptions affecting hubs such as Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and New York.
Travelers planning trips in the coming weeks, particularly those involving tight connections or critical time sensitive commitments, may want to allow greater buffers or consider more direct routing options where available. While modern airline networks are designed to handle a high volume of flights in all but the most extreme conditions, events this month underline how quickly a single major storm can reverberate across routes and carriers, from Delta and United to international players like Air France. Staying informed, flexible, and prepared remains the best strategy for navigating a winter still capable of reshaping travel plans with little warning.