Travel across the US was thrown into disarray today as strong winds forced widespread delays and cancellations at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Boston Logan International Airport. Major airlines including American Airlines, Emirates, Air France, Air Canada, JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, and Delta were among dozens of carriers impacted, collectively facing over 200 delays and 43 cancellations. The severe wind conditions disrupted both domestic and international operations, grounding flights, stranding passengers, and triggering a ripple effect across schedules nationwide.
Strong winds sweeping across the Northeast brought chaos to air travel today, leading to more than 200 flight delays and over 40 cancellations across John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York and Boston Logan International Airport in Massachusetts.
While British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, JetBlue, and Delta Air Lines were among the most impacted carriers, the disruption extended across dozens of airlines operating in and out of these key hubs. The delays primarily stemmed from crosswind conditions that exceeded safe operating thresholds for takeoffs and landings—forcing ground stops, flight rerouting, and widespread delays.
Turbulence on the Ground as Travel Stalls
At JFK alone, 102 flights were delayed and 27 were canceled, while Boston Logan reported 124 delays and 16 cancellations, pushing the total to 226 delays and 43 cancellations across both airports.
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic saw more than half of their scheduled flights canceled, largely affecting transatlantic routes. JetBlue and Delta, two of the biggest domestic carriers on the East Coast, logged dozens of delayed flights and a few cancellations of their own.
However, the impact was far broader, with more than 30 airlines affected at JFK alone.
JFK Flight Disruptions by Airline
| Airline | Cancelled | Cancelled % | Delayed | Delayed % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virgin Atlantic | 7 | 58% | 0 | 0% |
| American Airlines | 5 | 3% | 5 | 3% |
| Jazz | 0 | 0% | 2 | 33% |
| Brussels Airlines | 0 | 0% | 2 | 100% |
| Alaska Airlines | 0 | 0% | 3 | 12% |
| Qatar Airways | 0 | 0% | 1 | 16% |
| British Airways | 10 | 58% | 0 | 0% |
| Kenya Airways | 0 | 0% | 1 | 50% |
| Endeavor Air | 0 | 0% | 4 | 3% |
| Saudia | 0 | 0% | 1 | 50% |
| Kuwait Airways Corporation | 0 | 0% | 2 | 100% |
| Cathay Pacific | 0 | 0% | 1 | 9% |
| XiamenAir | 0 | 0% | 1 | 100% |
| Emirates | 0 | 0% | 1 | 16% |
| Republic | 0 | 0% | 9 | 10% |
| JetBlue | 3 | 0% | 29 | 8% |
| Aer Lingus UK | 0 | 0% | 1 | 33% |
| All Nippon | 0 | 0% | 1 | 25% |
| Icelandair | 0 | 0% | 1 | 33% |
| EVA Air | 0 | 0% | 1 | 50% |
| VivaAerobus | 0 | 0% | 1 | 50% |
| Frontier | 0 | 0% | 2 | 16% |
| Qantas | 0 | 0% | 1 | 50% |
| Caribbean Airlines | 0 | 0% | 1 | 16% |
| LAN Cargo | 0 | 0% | 1 | 50% |
| Avianca | 0 | 0% | 1 | 4% |
| HiSky Europe | 0 | 0% | 1 | 100% |
| Korea Air | 0 | 0% | 1 | 20% |
| Delta Air Lines | 2 | 0% | 26 | 10% |
Boston Logan Airport Flight Disruptions
| Airline | Cancelled | Cancelled % | Delayed | Delayed % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piedmont | 0 | 0% | 5 | 62% |
| Republic | 0 | 0% | 28 | 14% |
| Air France | 0 | 0% | 2 | 100% |
| Virgin Atlantic | 1 | 50% | 0 | 0% |
| JetBlue | 4 | 1% | 44 | 14% |
| Boutique Air | 0 | 0% | 2 | 33% |
| Emirates | 0 | 0% | 1 | 33% |
| Delta Air Lines | 5 | 3% | 23 | 14% |
| Air Canada | 1 | 16% | 1 | 16% |
| Cape Air | 0 | 0% | 4 | 3% |
| British Airways | 4 | 66% | 0 | 0% |
| Southwest | 0 | 0% | 1 | 3% |
| United | 0 | 0% | 3 | 4% |
| American Airlines | 1 | 1% | 5 | 6% |
| Envoy Air | 0 | 0% | 1 | 7% |
| Korean Air | 0 | 0% | 1 | 50% |
| BermudAir | 0 | 0% | 2 | 100% |
| Porter Airlines | 0 | 0% | 1 | 10% |
Airlines Offer Rebooking Flexibility
Most airlines responded quickly by issuing weather-related travel waivers, allowing passengers to change their itineraries without additional fees. JetBlue, Delta, and American Airlines advised passengers to use mobile apps or websites for faster rescheduling.
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic began rerouting transatlantic travelers through alternative hubs, although seat availability remained limited due to the volume of canceled flights.
Winds Expected to Ease—But Backlog Remains
According to the National Weather Service, wind conditions are expected to improve by early tomorrow morning. However, the operational ripple effect—grounded aircraft, displaced crews, and overbooked reassignments—may continue to cause disruptions into the next 24 to 48 hours.
Travelers are urged to stay flexible, monitor their flight status regularly, and be prepared for potential overnight delays.
Travel Tips for Affected Passengers
- Check flight status regularly through airline websites or apps
- Use free travel waivers to change flights if available
- Arrive early and prepare for long lines at service counters
- Consider travel insurance for future bookings during volatile seasons
- Book hotels early if you’re stuck overnight
Strong winds across the US caused over 200 delays and 43 cancellations at JFK and Boston Logan, disrupting flights operated by American, Emirates, Air France, Air Canada, JetBlue, Singapore, Korean Air, Delta, and more.
Today’s high winds brought flight operations at JFK and Boston Logan to a crawl, causing a wave of delays and cancellations across dozens of domestic and international carriers. While British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, JetBlue, and Delta were the most visible names affected, the broader aviation system felt the turbulence too.
With weather remaining a wild card in spring travel, passengers should always be prepared for the unexpected—even when skies look deceptively clear.
