On Monday, October 28, 2026, a network outage in the northeastern United States disrupted flight operations across major airports, including Newark, JFK, and Philadelphia. By 9:44 a.m. EST, at least 374 flights into or out of the U.S. were delayed, and 59 were canceled, according to flight tracker FlightAware. Globally, delays totaled more than 7,143 flights while cancellations reached 558.
Weather Effects on Specific Airports
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that low clouds contributed to flight disruptions at San Diego International Airport (SAN) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). In Las Vegas, strong winds caused further delays at McCarran International Airport (LAS), adding to travel
difficulties on the same day.
Traveler Guidance Amid Widespread Disruptions
Travelers faced with delays and cancellations were advised to regularly check their flight status through airline websites or mobile applications. Experts suggested allowing additional time for connections at busy airports to accommodate potential delays. Keeping essential items in carry-on luggage was recommended to ease access during prolonged wait times. Passengers were also encouraged to review refund and rebooking policies to manage extended disruptions effectively.
Expert Advice on Managing Flight Disruptions
Eryn Gordon, a TedX speaker on ethical and responsible travel, emphasized treating cancellations as planning challenges rather than emergencies. Gordon recommended, “Screenshot the rebooking policy before you leave the house.” She
cautioned against quickly accepting the first available seat, stating, “The trap is thinking speed is everything and grabbing the first seat offered, when that seat can strand you in a connecting airport overnight with your bag on another aircraft.”
