On January 6, 2025, a severe winter storm disrupted air travel across the eastern United States. By mid-afternoon, over 4,300 flights had been delayed and approximately 1,880 were canceled, according to FlightAware. The storm, which progressed from the Ohio Valley to the mid-Atlantic region, was projected to bring up to a foot of snow to the Washington, D.C. area, while frigid temperatures impacted the southern U.S. At Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, more than 250 flights—two-thirds of the day’s schedule—were canceled. Washington Dulles International Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Airport experienced similar issues, with about one-third of their respective flight schedules canceled. Additionally, major New York area airports reported over 100 flight delays each, and significant slowdowns were noted at Dallas/Fort Worth and Chicago O’Hare airports. In response to the disruptions, airlines including United, Southwest, and American Airlines announced the waiver of change fees and fare differences for impacted travelers.
