The USA Guides

Northeast Storms: Mass US Flight Disruptions Sep 25–27

· 2 min read Travel News
Passengers waiting at a US airport departure board

Contents

  1. Scale of Disruptions
  2. Travel Waivers in Effect
  3. FAA Equipment Outage
  4. Hawaii: Tropical Storm Nolo
  5. What To Do Now

A combination of severe weather across the US Northeast and an FAA equipment outage affecting Boston (BOS), Newark (EWR), and Philadelphia (PHL) is generating widespread flight disruptions on 25 September 2026, with the impact expected to carry through 27 September. Both JetBlue and American Airlines have issued travel waivers allowing rebooking without fees.

Scale of Disruptions

As of 25 September, national figures tracked by FlightAware show approximately 4,375 delays and 107 cancellations across US carriers. Southwest Airlines accounts for roughly 1,128 delays individually, reflecting knock-on effects from airspace congestion in the affected region. The FAA equipment outage - affecting approach and departure management at BOS, EWR, and PHL - has slowed traffic even for flights not directly routed through storm-affected airspace.

Travel Waivers in Effect

JetBlue and American Airlines have each issued waivers covering travel dates 25–27 September for flights routed through or originating at Northeast airports. Passengers on affected itineraries can rebook to a later date without a change fee, provided the new travel falls within a specified window. Check your airline’s website directly for the exact rebooking parameters, as terms vary by ticket type.

Other carriers serving Boston Logan, Newark Liberty, and Philadelphia International may follow with waivers if the weather system persists - monitor your airline’s app or email alerts.

FAA Equipment Outage

The FAA confirmed a ground equipment fault affecting air traffic management systems at BOS, EWR, and PHL. The agency has implemented ground delay programs (GDPs) and ground stops at intervals, meaning some flights are being held at departure airports rather than entering already-congested airspace. This affects connecting passengers throughout the national network, not only those flying directly into the Northeast.

Hawaii: Tropical Storm Nolo

Separately, Tropical Storm Nolo is affecting the Hawaiian Islands. Travellers with flights to Honolulu (HNL), Maui (OGG), or the Big Island (KOA) should check for separate advisories from Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest. The continental disruption and Hawaii situation are unrelated, but travellers transiting through West Coast hubs on connections to Hawaii may see compounded delays.

What To Do Now

If your flight touches any Northeast airport on 25–27 September:

  1. Check your airline app for waiver eligibility before calling
  2. Rebook online if possible - call queues are long during mass disruption events
  3. If already at the airport, ask agents about alternative routings via non-affected hubs
  4. Keep accommodation flexible - late arrivals or same-day cancellations are more likely during active ground stops

For compensation rights on cancelled or significantly delayed flights, our guide to US flight delay compensation explains what US and EU passengers are entitled to and how to claim. Travellers planning airport transfers in the region should check our JFK airport transfer guide for updated ground transport options if your flight time shifts.

Published 25 September 2026. Disruption levels are changing rapidly - check FlightAware, your airline’s app, and the FAA’s System Operations Command Centre (nasstatus.faa.gov) for real-time status.