Winter Storm Causing Thousands of Flight Cancellations, Delays Across US

Image: PHOTO: Aircraft during taxiing during heavy snow. (photo via Alexey_Lesik / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Image: PHOTO: Aircraft during taxiing during heavy snow. (photo via Alexey_Lesik / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Donald Wood
by Donald Wood
Last updated: 12:05 AM ET, Fri February 4, 2022

A major winter storm system will dump heavy snow and freezing rain on nearly half of the United States through the remainder of the week, impacting travel plans for Americans from New Mexico to Maine.

According to FlightAware.com, more than 5,400 flights within, into or out of the U.S. have been canceled and another 3,100 have been delayed as of 11:50 a.m. ET on Thursday. On Wednesday, over 3,700 flights were canceled and 7,757 were delayed.

American, Delta, Southwest and United were the major U.S. airlines impacted most by the storm, while major airports in cities such as Chicago, Dallas, Denver, New York, St Louis and Washington D.C. experienced major weather-related issues.

American is waiving change fees for passengers flying to or from 28 airports in the Northeastern U.S. and Canada through February 7, and 68 airports throughout the rest of the country-primarily the Midwest and the Plains-through February 6.

Delta has four weather waivers in place to allow itinerary changes free of charge for travel to the Northeastern U.S. and Toronto, the South-Central Plains and Texas, the Midwest and Great Lakes region and the Rocky Mountain region.

Southwest and United are also waiving change fees for impacted airports in the same regions.

To complicate matters, airlines were already dealing with the aftermath of a weekend Mid-Atlantic Nor'easter snowstorm that caused carriers serving the region to delay and cancel thousands of flights.


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore

More From TravelPulse

Related Videos

Grow Your Travel Business With Certified Courses

Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.

Don't Miss These Travel Agent Events and Trainings

Upcoming Webinar
Worry-Free Access to the World - Part 3Monday, November 2, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse for Worry-Free Access to the World, a webinar...
Watch Now!
Mexico for the Western Traveler Part 2: 2026Tuesday, October 29, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West and TravelPulse in the virtual studios for Discover Mexico for the...
Watch Now!
River Cruises PlusMonday, October 26, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, TravelPulse and leaders from top river cruise companies to get the...
Upcoming Webinar
Worry-Free Access to the World - Part 3Monday, November 2, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse for Worry-Free Access to the World, a webinar...
Watch Now!
Mexico for the Western Traveler Part 2: 2026Tuesday, October 29, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West and TravelPulse in the virtual studios for Discover Mexico for the...
Watch Now!
River Cruises PlusMonday, October 26, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, TravelPulse and leaders from top river cruise companies to get the...