A massive blizzard has hit New York in the United States, and it caused many problems for people who want to travel by air. The storm brought heavy snow and strong winds, leading to New York blizzard flight cancellations, as more than 1,300 flights got canceled at busy airports like John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) on February 23 and 24, 2026. Across the United States, more than 5,000 flights were canceled due to the storm’s wider impact. This New York airport snowstorm shutdown forced the government to declare a state of emergency and ask everyone to stay inside and avoid driving.
Heavy Snow and High Winds Hit New York
The snowstorm dropped a lot of snow, between 12 and 24 inches, all over New York City and places around it. The winds blew very hard, up to 70 miles per hour, which made it hard for people to see anything outside and very dangerous to move around. The airports had to stop all flights for two full days while teams used big machines called snowplows to clear the snow from the runways. Many schools did not open, shops and offices stayed closed, and power went out in thousands of houses because of the ice and wind. This storm touched the lives of more than 50 million people in the northeastern part of the USA, and people say it is one of the worst winter storms they have seen in a long time.
The government workers kept clearing roads day and night, but they put a ban on cars that were not for emergencies so that police and doctors could reach people who needed help. Everything stopped, from short trips inside the city to long flights that go across the ocean to India.
How Many Flights Got Canceled at Each Airport
The cancellations happened at three main airports in New York:
- At JFK Airport, more than 500 flights did not fly.
- At Newark Airport (EWR), about 400 flights were grounded, highlighting the Newark airport winter storm impact on both domestic and international routes.
- At LaGuardia Airport, or LGA, around 300 flights could not take off.
Major airlines such as American Airlines, Delta, United, and JetBlue had to pause almost all their flights from these airports. This made flights late not just in New York but in many other parts of the USA too. New York airports are very important because they connect to places far away, like India, so the problems spread to international trips.
Air India and American Airlines Suspend US–India Routes
- Air India cancelled all direct flights between major Indian cities and New York airports for two days.
- Affected routes included:
- Delhi (DEL) to JFK
- Mumbai (BOM) to Newark (EWR)
- Bengaluru (BLR) to Newark (EWR)
- Return flights from New York to India were also cancelled.
- American Airlines cancelled Flight AA292 from JFK to Delhi on February 23.
- Emirates and other international carriers faced disruptions because connecting flights from New York were suspended.
- For two full days, there were no nonstop flights between India and New York airports.
- Many passengers were stranded at airports or had to rebook through alternate routes.
What Is Happening with Flights Today on February 25
Today, February 25, the airports are starting to work again, but it is slow. For example, the American Airlines flight AA292 from JFK to Delhi is now in the air and should arrive on time. Air India says they hope to begin their flights again this evening or maybe tomorrow on February 26, but they need the runways to be fully clear of snow and enough workers ready to fly the planes. Flights that leave from the West Coast of the USA, such as from San Francisco or SFO or Los Angeles or LAX to cities in India, are still going but they are late by 4 to 12 hours. It is very important to check your own flight on an app or website before you leave for the airport.
What You Can Do If Your Flight Is Canceled and Your Rights
The rules in the United States help protect people who fly when bad weather like this happens. Airlines have to give you a new flight for free or your money back as a full refund. They also need to pay for your food and a place to sleep in a hotel if the problem is their fault or because of the weather. Air India has phone numbers that work all day and night for help:
- If you are in the USA, call +1-800-180-1407.
- If you are in India, call 0124-2641407.
You should call them as soon as you can to change your ticket, and there is no extra charge for that. Also, look at your travel insurance paper because it can pay for things like hotels, meals, or taxis. Keep all your bills and receipts so you can ask for money back later.
What Will Happen in the Next Days and Weeks
As so many people are stuck and waiting, the airports will have a lot of work to catch up, so there could be more delays even into next week. If you have a trip coming up soon, try to book your new flight early. Keep checking news from trust-worthy platforms or the app from your airline to stay in the know. Travel safely, and take care during this stormy time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there health risks from the blizzard beyond power outages?
Yes, carbon monoxide poisoning is a big danger when people use generators indoors without ventilation during outages. Also, hypothermia can set in fast if stranded outside, even for short times in the extreme cold.
What should I do if I’m driving and get stuck in snow?
Stay in your car, run the engine for heat 10 minutes every hour with a cracked window, and use headlights or flares to signal help. Clear exhaust pipe snow to avoid deadly fumes.
What about cargo flights or private jets during the storm?
Cargo operations paused completely at JFK and EWR, delaying medicine and goods worldwide. Private jets got grounded too, as FAA rules ban non-essential flights in emergencies.
Did the blizzard cancel flights at airports outside New York, like Chicago or Boston?
Yes, over 2,000 total US flights got hit, with Chicago O’Hare seeing 300+ delays from rerouted planes. Boston Logan had minor snow but major backups from NYC chaos.
What federal help is coming to New York from the US government?
President Trump declared a federal disaster area, unlocking FEMA funds for snow removal, power restoration, and shelters. National Guard troops help with rescues.
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