JULY 13, 2025 — UNITED STATES — Thousands of air travelers across the United States faced significant delays and cancellations this week as severe weather conditions crippled major airline hubs including Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Denver (DEN), and Miami International (MIA).
More than 6,000 flights were affected nationwide due to thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, high winds, and dense fog, causing delays and cancellations across both domestic and international routes. Airlines such as American Airlines, Delta, SkyWest, United, and Frontier reported major operational challenges, with more disruptions expected as weather conditions continue to impact aviation corridors.
Dallas-Fort Worth Hit Hardest: 1,000+ Flight Disruptions
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) bore the brunt of the chaos, recording 849 delays and 168 cancellations in just 24 hours. Powerful thunderstorms and gusting winds created hazardous conditions for takeoff and landing, leading to long ground delays. American Airlines, headquartered at DFW, was the most affected, reporting over 470 delayed flights and 43 cancellations.
Regional operators such as Envoy Air and PSA Airlines also faced significant disruption, with delays exceeding 35% of their scheduled flights.
Chicago and Atlanta See Widespread Disruption
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) logged 552 delays and 64 cancellations, mostly driven by heavy thunderstorms and flash flooding in the region. Airlines like American, United, and SkyWest were hit hardest, as operations slowed due to ground saturation and air traffic congestion.
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL), the world’s busiest airport by passenger volume, saw 521 delays and 64 cancellations. Severe thunderstorms, especially in the early hours, forced aircraft into holding patterns and disrupted outbound departures. Delta Air Lines, which operates a major hub at ATL, reported nearly 390 delayed flights.
Nationwide Impacts Across Major U.S. Airports
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Fog and poor visibility caused 354 delays and 32 cancellations, impacting United, Frontier, and Southwest Airlines.
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Heavy rainfall and crosswinds led to 281 delays and 10 cancellations, disrupting American Airlines’ South Florida operations.
New York City Airports
- John F. Kennedy (JFK): 268 delays, 23 cancellations
- LaGuardia (LGA): 148 delays, 10 cancellations
- Newark Liberty (EWR): 335 delays, 16 cancellations
Low clouds and unstable weather patterns created congestion at the tri-state area’s busiest terminals.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Rain and fog led to 124 delays and 8 cancellations, especially affecting long-haul and international flights.
Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA)
Dense morning fog delayed 257 flights and cancelled 19, with Alaska Airlines suffering the bulk of disruptions.
Other Notably Impacted Airports
- Orlando International (MCO): 338 delays, 13 cancellations
- Washington Dulles (IAD): 277 delays, 19 cancellations
- Boston Logan (BOS): 271 delays, 23 cancellations
- Detroit Metropolitan (DTW): 315 delays, 20 cancellations
- Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX): 224 delays, 13 cancellations
- Charlotte Douglas (CLT): 428 delays, 17 cancellations
- Salt Lake City (SLC): 145 delays, 7 cancellations
- St. Louis Lambert (STL): 167 delays, 12 cancellations
Airlines Facing Widespread Operational Turmoil
Top 10 Airlines Affected by Total Delays and Cancellations:
- American Airlines: 1,056 delays, 189 cancellations
- Delta Air Lines: 1,064 delays, 80 cancellations
- SkyWest Airlines: 367 delays, 116 cancellations
- United Airlines: 289 delays, 23 cancellations
- Frontier Airlines: 137 delays, 30 cancellations
- Envoy Air: 318 delays, 23 cancellations
- PSA Airlines: 272 delays, 16 cancellations
- Southwest Airlines: 221 delays, 54 cancellations
- Endeavor Air: 199 delays, 13 cancellations
- JetBlue Airways: 213 delays, 10 cancellations
Travel Advisory: What Passengers Should Do
With active weather systems still moving across central and eastern states, flight disruptions are likely to continue through the weekend. Passengers are advised to:
- Check flight statuses frequently via airline websites and mobile apps
- Arrive early at the airport to allow for delays at check-in and security
- Stay informed on weather advisories in departure and arrival cities
- Rebook proactively or request rerouting if your flight is impacted
- Pack essentials in carry-on, including chargers, snacks, and medication
Airlines are waiving change fees in many cases and offering flexible rebooking options, particularly for affected airports.
FAA Response and Airport Efforts
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued multiple Ground Delay Programs (GDPs) and Air Traffic Management Initiatives to regulate flow at heavily impacted airports such as DFW, ATL, ORD, and MIA. Meanwhile, airports are working with airline partners to reduce gate congestion and support overnight rebooking.
Despite best efforts, the volume of affected flights and regional weather instability are expected to continue testing the resilience of the U.S. air travel system.
Conclusion: A Challenging Summer for U.S. Air Travel
With over 6,000 flights impacted across the U.S. due to extreme summer weather, this latest wave of travel disruption underscores the vulnerability of air travel to climate and operational stress. While airlines and airport authorities are doing their best to mitigate delays, travelers are urged to stay flexible, plan ahead, and remain patient as storm systems move through the country.
For real-time updates, passengers should monitor:
- FlightAware
- FAA Status Updates
- Airline websites and social media feeds
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