New York’s major airports—John F. Kennedy International (JFK), LaGuardia (LGA), and Newark Liberty International (EWR)—have largely returned to normal operations today, just days after a significant winter storm disrupted thousands of flights across the region.
The storm, which struck late on December 26 and into December 27, brought 4 to 8 inches of snow to the New York metropolitan area, with Central Park recording 4.3 inches—the city’s heaviest snowfall in nearly four years. Airports like JFK and LaGuardia each saw about 4.1 inches, while areas north and east, including Long Island and Connecticut, accumulated up to 9 inches. Sleet and ice in some spots reduced totals but contributed to hazardous conditions on runways and taxiways.
The impact on air travel was severe during the storm’s peak. Airlines preemptively canceled hundreds of flights on Friday and Saturday to avoid broader disruptions, resulting in over 1,700 cancellations nationwide on Friday alone and more than 1,400 on Saturday. At the New York-area airports, cancellations topped 400 on Friday, with JFK seeing around 350 scrubbed flights, LaGuardia over 230, and Newark similarly affected. Delays rippled through the system, stranding post-Christmas travelers and contributing to thousands of nationwide delays.
Crews worked around the clock on de-icing aircraft, clearing runways, and managing ground operations. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees the airports, coordinated closely with airlines and the FAA to implement ground stops and prioritize safety. Major carriers like JetBlue, Delta, American, and United issued travel waivers, allowing passengers to rebook without fees.
By Sunday, December 28, disruptions began to ease significantly as the storm moved out and clearance efforts progressed. Residual delays lingered into the morning, but flight schedules steadily normalized throughout the day.
Today, December 29, one of the busiest projected travel days of the holiday season—operations are running smoothly with minimal weather-related issues reported. The Port Authority anticipates peak volumes, part of a record 14-15 million travelers expected across its facilities during the extended holiday period.
Travelers interviewed at JFK this morning expressed relief. “It was chaotic on Saturday—my flight was canceled twice—but everything’s on time now,” said one passenger heading to Florida. Airport officials credit proactive preparations, including pre-storm salting and plowing, for the swift recovery.
While isolated delays may occur due to the high volume of holiday traffic, no major storm impacts remain. The National Weather Service forecasts colder temperatures ahead but no immediate threats to air travel. Passengers are still advised to check flight statuses and arrive early, especially with New Year’s Eve approaching.
