December 26, 2025 – As the holiday season is underway, airlines across the United States are grappling with significant disruptions due to winter storm Devin, leading to nearly 1,800 canceled flights and over 22,000 delayed flights as of Friday afternoon, according to data from flight tracking website FlightAware.
Overview of Impacted Flights
In total, 1,802 flights were canceled, while 22,349 flights experienced delays as travel ramped up during this bustling time of year. The situation escalated as the National Weather Service released severe weather warnings, predicting that Devin would create hazardous travel conditions stretching from the Great Lakes to the northern Mid-Atlantic and southern New England regions from Friday afternoon through Saturday morning.
Significant Airports Affected
Major airports in the New York metropolitan area, including John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport, were disproportionately affected, accounting for more than half of all flight disruptions reported. Travelers at these airports received alerts via social media, cautioning them about potential delays or cancellations.
Notably, JetBlue Airways led the cancellations with 225 flights called off, followed closely by Delta Air Lines with 212 cancellations. Other airlines also reported significant disruptions, including American Airlines, which canceled 146 flights, and United Airlines with 97 cancellations.
State of Emergency Declared
In light of the approaching storm, both New York and New Jersey officials declared a state of emergency effective Friday afternoon. New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated, "As widespread snowfall is expected to start in New York City and its surrounding areas this evening, I will declare a State of Emergency to ensure that our agencies and local partners have the resources and tools they need to respond to the storm."
Correspondingly, New Jersey and Pennsylvania implemented restrictions on commercial vehicle travel along various interstate highways to ensure safety amidst the severe weather conditions. "This storm will cause dangerous road conditions and impact holiday travel," remarked New Jersey's acting governor Tahesha Way, urging travelers to avoid driving during the storm.
Airlines Responding to the Crisis
In the wake of widespread cancellations and rebooking challenges, major airlines have taken steps to ease the burden on affected passengers. Representatives from American Airlines, United Airlines, and JetBlue confirmed that change fees will be waived for travelers whose itineraries have been disrupted due to the weather.
"Due to winter storm Devin, JetBlue has canceled approximately 350 flights today and tomorrow, primarily in the Northeast where JetBlue has a large operation," a spokesperson stated.
Safety First
Officials continue to emphasize traveler safety, warning that conditions are likely to worsen as the storm progresses. As travel demand peaks during this holiday season, travelers are encouraged to monitor flight statuses and prepare for possible delays or cancellations during this winter weather event.
Resources for Travelers
Travelers looking for more information can consult the National Weather Service's official website, or follow updates from major airlines regarding flight statuses and accommodations. For those affected by cancellations, airlines suggest checking their respective websites for the most current rebooking options.
As this storm advances, travelers are reminded to prioritize safety and stay informed about the latest weather updates to navigate this challenging travel period effectively.
For further updates, follow FlightAware or the National Weather Service.
Reporting by Aatreyee Dasgupta, Abhinav Parmar, and Maria Tsvetkova; Editing by Shailesh Kuber and Nick Zieminski.
