Hundreds Of JetBlue, Delta Flights Canceled As Winter Weather Disrupts Travel: Report

LONG ISLAND, NY — Hundreds of flights operated by JetBlue and Delta Air Lines were canceled Friday as winter weather moved across the Northeast, disrupting post-Christmas travel at New York-area airports and beyond.

According to reporting published Friday by aviation news outlet Paddle Your Own Kanoo, widespread cancellations and delays were reported across both airlines as snow and wind impacted operations in the Northeast. Flight cancellation and delay totals cited in this story are based on data from the flight-tracking website FlightAware.

As of Friday afternoon, FlightAware data showed JetBlue had canceled more than 200 flights nationwide — roughly 22% of its scheduled operations — with more than 100 additional flights delayed. Delta Air Lines had canceled more than 160 flights, about 5% of its mainline schedule, while hundreds of other Delta flights were delayed. Delta’s regional carrier, Endeavor Air, also reported a notable number of cancellations.

The widespread disruptions come during one of the busiest travel periods of the year, as millions of travelers attempt to return home following the Christmas holiday.

New York-area airports began issuing warnings earlier Friday as conditions worsened. John F. Kennedy International Airport posted on social media a snow advisory cautioning travelers that forecasted weather could cause flight disruptions, while LaGuardia Airport said weather conditions had already led to delays and cancellations.

As of early Friday afternoon, most flights at Long Island MacArthur Airport in Islip were operating on schedule, though several arrivals were showing moderate delays, according to the airport’s online flight information. A JetBlue flight from Palm Beach was delayed by more than 90 minutes, while Frontier and Cape Air flights arriving from Florida and Boston were also running behind schedule. Airport officials continue to urge travelers to check directly with their airlines, as conditions could change as the storm intensifies.

The Federal Aviation Administration indicated that ground delay programs were likely or probable at major Northeast airports later Friday, a move that can slow arrivals and departures and cause delays to ripple across the national airspace system.

The travel disruptions coincide with a winter storm warning issued by the National Weather Service for Long Island from Friday evening through Saturday afternoon. Forecasters said heavy snow is expected overnight, with accumulations of 4 to 8 inches possible across much of the region, creating hazardous travel conditions.

Transportation officials warned that aircraft and flight crews displaced by cancellations can take time to reposition, potentially leading to additional delays even after weather conditions improve.

While American Airlines and United Airlines also reported some delays and cancellations, those carriers were less heavily affected as of Friday afternoon, according to FlightAware data.

Travelers flying in or out of New York-area airports are advised to check airline apps frequently, monitor airport and FAA delay information, and confirm flight status directly with their airline before heading to the airport.

This story will be updated as flight cancellation and delay numbers change.