Flight Buzz
US Travel Derailed as United, Delta, and Southwest Axe 57 New Flights, Stranding Tourists Nationwide
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Travel across the US came to a halt today as severe weather conditions led to the axe of 57 flights by United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines, leaving tourists stranded in major cities including Chicago, Dallas, Denver, New York, and Los Angeles. The axed, confirmed by airport and airline sources, were triggered by bad weather affecting key travel corridors. As a result, thousands of travelers faced delays, missed connections, and overnight airport stays, marking one of the most disruptive travel days of the summer.
A review of flight data as of today revealed that United Airlines axed 32 flights, representing about 1% of its total schedule, while Delta Air Lines axed 15 flights and Southwest Airlines axed 10, both disrupting operations despite accounting for no measurable drop in overall system volume. In addition to the axed flights, 161 United, 200 Delta, and 237 Southwest flights were reported as delayed, equaling about 5% of each airline’s daily schedule. The disruptions impacted major domestic and international routes including London Heathrow to Newark, Xiamen to Chicago, Los Angeles to New York, and Phoenix to Denver, along with several Pacific island connections such as Guam, Pohnpei, and Chuuk. The delays and grounded services were mainly centered in cities hit by adverse weather, compounding operational strain across multiple hubs.
Weather Chaos Grounds Dozens of Flights Across the US
Severe weather conditions sweeping across parts of the United States today have caused major travel disruptions, as three of the nation’s leading airlines—United, Delta, and Southwest—axed a total of 57 scheduled flights. The sudden wave of flight axed stranded thousands of travelers and brought air traffic at several major airports to a standstill.
Airports in cities such as Chicago, Denver, New York, Dallas, Atlanta, and Los Angeles were among the most impacted, where thunderstorms and visibility issues created unsafe flying conditions. Airport officials confirmed that delays and axed began accumulating from early morning and worsened throughout the day, affecting both domestic and international services.
United, Delta, and Southwest Ground Dozens of Flights
United Airlines bore the brunt of the axed, with 32 flights grounded due to the weather. Affected routes included long-haul international services, inter-island Pacific legs, and numerous high-frequency domestic flights. Delta Air Lines followed with 15 axed, many of which disrupted connections through Detroit and Minneapolis. Southwest Airlines axed 10 flights, largely impacting regional travel in the western and southern US.
Airline spokespeople have attributed the disruptions to unstable weather patterns over key airport corridors and emphasized that passenger safety remains their top priority. No definitive timeline has been offered for the full resumption of normal operations.
Stranded Tourists Left Without Clear Alternatives
Travelers across the country have expressed growing frustration, as rescheduling options were limited by full bookings and rolling delays. At airports like Newark, Denver, and Los Angeles, tourists could be seen sitting along terminal floors, some having missed connecting flights or facing extended wait times without compensation.
One family traveling from Boston to San Francisco described how their journey was interrupted twice within a 12-hour window, with minimal assistance provided. Others who had international connections through hubs like Chicago O’Hare or Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson reported being rebooked for later in the week—if at all.
Summer Travel Faces Growing Strain
The cancellations arrive at a critical moment in the peak summer travel season. With hotels fully booked in tourist-heavy cities and few alternate flights available, tourists now face unexpected hotel costs and lost time from planned holidays. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued notices regarding weather-induced delays but has not yet triggered broader waivers or emergency travel guidance.
Travel industry analysts warn that the strain on airlines—already grappling with high seasonal demand and staffing limitations—could increase the risk of continued disruptions in the days ahead, especially if adverse weather persists.
Air travel across the US was severely disrupted today after bad weather forced United, Delta, and Southwest to cancel 57 flights, stranding tourists in major cities and triggering widespread delays across key domestic and international routes.
Passengers Urged to Monitor Flight Updates
While the full extent of the disruption is still unfolding, affected travelers are being urged to monitor their flight status closely and consider travel insurance or refundable bookings where possible. Travelers with connections or tight schedules are advised to contact airlines directly before heading to the airport, as further delays or cancellations remain likely in the coming hours.
The storm systems responsible for the disruption are expected to linger over the Midwest and Northeast through the evening, making conditions unpredictable for air traffic controllers and pilots alike.
Flight Buzz
Major Airlines in the USA, Along with Canada See Over 85 Cancelled Flights: United, Delta, Air Canada Cause Travel Chaos to New York, Los Angeles, Vancouver
Published on
August 8, 2025 |
Recent disruptions have impacted several major airlines, with 85 total flight cancellations affecting travelers across the USA and Canada. United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, Delta Air Lines, Air Canada, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and WestJet Encore have all experienced significant operational issues, primarily disrupting both domestic and international routes. These cancelled flights have left many passengers scrambling to adjust their travel plans. Below is a breakdown of the affected routes and airlines.
USA: Widespread Flight Cancellations Across Major Airlines
Several airlines in the USA have experienced widespread cancellations, particularly affecting both domestic and international routes. United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and Southwest Airlines have been among the hardest-hit carriers. Below is a closer look at the routes most affected by these cancellations, along with the number of cancellations.
United Airlines
United Airlines faced 20 cancellations, impacting both domestic and international routes. The most affected routes include:
- Chicago O’Hare to Philadelphia: A key domestic route for business and leisure travelers was severely disrupted by multiple cancellations.
- New York (LaGuardia) to Chicago: This heavily traveled route was impacted by cancellations, leaving many passengers with no alternative flight options.
- Los Angeles to Sydney: Several trans-Pacific flights from Los Angeles to Sydney were canceled, causing disruptions for travelers heading to Australia.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines experienced 8 cancellations, particularly affecting routes between key West Coast cities. The most disrupted routes included:
- Seattle to Kahului (Hawaii): Flights between Seattle and Hawaii faced multiple cancellations, affecting travelers heading to a popular vacation destination.
- Salt Lake City to Seattle: This route saw multiple cancellations, disrupting travel for passengers in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West.
- Los Angeles to Seattle: Flights between these two major hubs were canceled, causing inconvenience for business and leisure travelers.
JetBlue Airways
JetBlue experienced 4 cancellations across both domestic and international routes:
- Boston to Palm Beach: This route, connecting New England with Florida, saw significant cancellations.
- Pittsburgh to Boston: Affected by multiple cancellations, this route caused delays for passengers trying to get between these northeastern cities.
- Piarco (Trinidad) to JFK: International travelers faced disruptions with cancellations between Trinidad and New York City.
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines had 9 cancellations across both domestic and international routes. The most affected routes included:
- Tampa to Atlanta: Flights between these two key cities were canceled, causing issues for travelers.
- Atlanta to Boston: This crucial route for business and leisure travelers was severely impacted by cancellations.
- Seattle to Salt Lake City: Delta’s route between Seattle and Salt Lake City, serving both business and leisure travelers, faced disruptions.
- Naples to New York: International connections were affected, with cancellations disrupting passengers traveling from Italy to the U.S.
American Airlines
American Airlines faced 12 cancellations across both domestic and international routes. The most affected routes included:
- McGhee Tyson (Tennessee) to Charlotte: This important regional route saw cancellations, impacting travelers within the southeastern U.S.
- Dallas-Fort Worth to McGhee Tyson: Flights on this route, connecting Tennessee to Texas, were canceled, affecting numerous travelers.
- Edinburgh to Philadelphia: Transatlantic flights were affected, disrupting passengers traveling between the U.S. and Europe.
- Tokyo to Los Angeles: American Airlines’ long-haul flights between Japan and the U.S. were also impacted, causing disruptions for international passengers.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines saw 1 cancellation, affecting primarily domestic routes:
- Dallas-Fort Worth to Denver: This route, connecting two major U.S. cities, faced cancellation, creating inconvenience for passengers traveling between Texas and Colorado.
Canada: Air Canada and WestJet Encore Affected by Cancellations
In Canada, Air Canada and WestJet Encore experienced significant disruptions, particularly impacting domestic and international travel. The following sections cover the affected routes and the number of cancellations.
Air Canada
Air Canada, Canada’s largest carrier, faced 8 cancellations, impacting both domestic and international routes. Some of the most disrupted routes included:
- Toronto to Vancouver: One of the busiest domestic routes in Canada, it faced multiple cancellations.
- Montreal to Frankfurt: Several long-haul flights between Montreal and Europe were canceled, causing disruptions for international travelers.
- Toronto to Calgary: This domestic route, connecting Canada’s major hubs, was impacted by multiple cancellations.
- Montreal to Los Angeles: Flights between Montreal and Los Angeles also faced cancellations, disrupting travel between Canada and the U.S.
WestJet Encore
WestJet Encore, primarily operating regional routes, experienced 7 cancellations, affecting key connections within Canada. The most disrupted routes included:
- Calgary to Nanaimo: This regional route, connecting Calgary with Nanaimo, was affected by cancellations.
- Vancouver to Victoria: Flights between Vancouver and Victoria saw several cancellations.
- Edmonton to Grande Prairie: This important regional route within Alberta was affected, with travelers stranded due to cancellations.
- Vancouver to Fort St. John: Regional flights between Vancouver and Fort St. John were also disrupted, causing inconvenience in northern British Columbia.
Conclusion
The latest round of United, Alaska, JetBlue, Delta, Air Canada, and WestJet Encore airline cancellations seems to be the result of operational triggers. As domestic and international flights are affected, United, Alaska, JetBlue, Delta, Air Canada, and WestJet Encore are forced to cancel or reschedule flights. Informational updates and tailored communication are highly recommended.
As the weather, demand surges, and operational challenges create an endless web of cancellations, it becomes impossibly difficult to steer clear of the busy travel season. Waiting hours to check in and mulling for hours to board triggers a cascading domino effect. With United, Alaska, Delta, and JetBlue demand surges, local flights enable connectivity of international flights. It is of utmost importance to remain vigilant about the ongoing changes for airports and flights.
Key Points
- International airlines are reporting decreased demand for U.S. flights, citing stricter U.S. immigration policies.
- Several countries have issued travel advisories for the U.S., and visits from top tourism markets are down.
- Some airlines are shifting capacity away from the U.S. to other markets, such as China, in response to softer demand.
Summary
International airlines are experiencing a decline in demand for U.S. flights, attributing it to the Trump administration’s tightening of immigration policies and increased scrutiny at U.S. borders. Travelers, including international students, are reconsidering or postponing trips, and several countries have issued travel advisories warning about potential risks when visiting the U.S. In response to reduced demand, some airlines are reallocating capacity to other destinations, while overall international visits to the U.S. have dropped notably in 2025.
American Airlines is set to resume its non-stop transatlantic service between Budapest and Philadelphia from May 2026.
The flight was previously suspended during the pandemic.
It restarts from 21 May 2026 as a summer service and follows more than a year of preparatory work by the airport.
The flight will operate daily until 5 October 2026 on 234-seater Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft.
With the resumption of the flight, American Airlines will offer 3200 seats per week between the two cities, as well as connections departing from Budapest to more than 100 destinations in North America and the Caribbean.
François Berisot, CEO of Budapest Airport, said: “The direct flight to Philadelphia is of huge significance for tourism and trade, and I am proud to welcome American Airlines back among our airline partners.”
“Budapest Airport is continuing to work hard to develop more and more destinations from Budapest, including transatlantic flights.”
“This new direct service further strengthens Budapest’s position as one of Europe’s fastest-growing and most exciting city destinations,” said Olivér Csendes, the CEO of Visit Hungary.
Tickets for the 2026 summer season go on sale starting 11 August 2025 on the American Airlines website and mobile app, as well as through official travel partners.
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