Thousands of US flights canceled as Northeast braces for blizzard

Major airlines waive fees as nor'easter threatens to dump 18-24 inches of snow on Boston, New York City and Philadelphia

Thousands of flights have been canceled in the U.S. as communities in the Northeast rush to prepare for an intense blizzard that forecasters say will arrive on Sunday.

More than 14,000 U.S. flights had been disrupted by the storm as of 5:30 p.m. ET on Sunday. About 8,858 flights were canceled, with another 5,196 delayed.

Jetblue, American Airlines, Delta, Southwest and United have announced they will waive change and cancellation fees ahead of the looming storm over the expected impact on travel at many of the Northeast’s major flight hubs. 

The nor’easter is forecast to bring 1 to more than 2 feet of snow to parts of the Northeast, according to FOX Weather.

SHOVELING SNOW COULD POSE DANGEROUS HEALTH RISK FOR ONE GROUP, EXPERTS WARN

Maintenance crews clearing snow

Maintenance crews clear snow from the taxiway at LaGuardia Airport as a major winter storm spreads across a large swath of the United States, in New York City, Jan. 26, 2026. (Reuters/David 'Dee' Delgado)

More than 40 million Americans are under blizzard warnings, and states of emergency declared in New York and New Jersey have now been expanded to include Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, according to FOX Weather.

The heaviest snow will begin to fall Sunday night, with potential snow totals Sunday night into Monday topping 18–24 inches in New York City, Philadelphia and Boston, FOX Weather reported.

Travelers waiting at airport

Travelers wait for a flight at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, Nov. 18, 2025. (Reuters/Jeenah Moon)

TENNESSEE MAN DIES AFTER SUFFERING HEART ATTACK WHILE SHOVELING SNOW, ADDING TO STORM TOLL

The National Weather Service warned that the storm could bring wind gusts up to 55 mph, creating whiteout conditions that "will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening."

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Forecasters added that the "strong winds, combined with the weight of heavy, wet snow, will likely result in scattered to numerous power outages."