A line of severe thunderstorms swept across the northeastern United States and the Great Lakes region on August 25, 2026, triggering widespread flight delays and cancellations at three of the country’s busiest airports and sending cascading disruptions across the domestic network.
What Happened
The FAA issued Ground Delay Programs at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in the late morning of August 25 as storms moved over the New York metro area. Average departure delays at the two airports reached three to four hours at peak. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) saw a separate cell track through the Chicago area in the early afternoon, prompting a second round of delays as inbound flights stacked up and departures were held.
Between the three airports, several hundred departures and arrivals were cancelled outright. Airlines including United, American, Delta, and Spirit issued travel waivers allowing passengers on affected routes to rebook without change fees.
Cascading Effects
Because JFK, Newark, and O’Hare are major connection hubs, the disruptions rippled well beyond the northeast and Midwest. Flights connecting through these airports to destinations across the country - including those continuing to the West Coast, Southeast, and Florida - experienced delays of two hours or more even in cities that saw no local weather issues.
Passengers travelling through New York City or Chicago on August 25 or 26 should check their flight status with their airline before heading to the airport.
What to Do If Your Flight Was Affected
If your flight was cancelled or significantly delayed as a result of the August 25 weather event, your airline is required to offer you a rebooking at no additional charge. Most carriers have published travel waivers on their websites - search for your airline name plus “travel waiver August 2026” to find the current policy.
Under US Department of Transportation rules, airlines are not required to provide cash compensation for weather-related delays or cancellations, but they must offer a refund if you choose not to travel. Some travel insurance policies cover trip interruption due to severe weather; check your policy documents if you have coverage.
Our practical travel guide covers passenger rights for US domestic flights, how to claim refunds, and what to do when weather derails a connection.
Looking Ahead
August remains one of the busiest months for US air travel and coincides with peak Atlantic storm season. Travellers should build buffer time into connection windows, search for flights with flexible dates, and consider travel insurance for rebooking options if weather disruptions continue into September.