Severe weather on August 11, 2026, triggered extensive flight delays and cancellations at major U.S. airports including Chicago O’Hare, John F. Kennedy International, and LaGuardia.
Flight Disruption Totals at Major Hubs
By 2 p.m. EDT on August 11, Chicago O’Hare (ORD) recorded over 120 canceled flights and more than 400 delayed flights. In the New York metropolitan area, JFK and LaGuardia (LGA) combined had more than 100 cancellations and upwards of 250 delays as line storms and heavy rainfall impacted the region.
Airline Waivers and Rebooking Policies
American Airlines granted waivers waiving change fees and fare differences for passengers with tickets purchased by August 9, 2026, traveling through ORD, JFK, LGA,
or Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) between August 10 and August 13, 2026. United Airlines allowed fee-free flight rescheduling on Chicago flights departing August 11, for travel moved between August 9 and August 14, 2026, within the same cabin.
Delta Air Lines extended change fee waivers for travel through New York metro airports including JFK, LGA, EWR, and Westchester County Airport (HPN) for tickets issued on or before August 10, 2026, covering travel through August 13. JetBlue issued fee waivers on change, cancellation, and fare differences for flights involving JFK, LGA, EWR, HPN, Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP), and Boston
Logan (BOS) on August 10 and 11, with rebooking permitted through August 15, 2026.
Passenger Guidance and Impact
Airlines encouraged travelers affected by the weather to use their respective mobile applications or online platforms to manage rebookings before arriving at airports. The waivers were aimed at accommodating those whose travel plans were disrupted by the severe weather across Chicago and New York hubs.
Weather Conditions Behind Disruptions
The disruptions stemmed from a wave of severe summer weather including line storms and heavy rain passing through the Chicago and New York regions on August 11, 2026. These conditions led directly to hundreds of flight delays and cancellations at Chicago
O’Hare, JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty airports.
