Ice storm leads to thousands of US flight cancellations
An ice storm has hit the US forcing airlines to cancel thousands of flights.
Airline tracking website, Flight Aware, reports 4,259 flights have been cancelled within, into or out of the US today.
Among airports worst affected are Hartsfield-Jackson, Philadelphia International, Reagan International in Washington and airports serving New York – Newark, LaGuardia and John F Kennedy.
Several British Airways flights arriving at Heathrow from Atlanta and Washington have been affected.
Virgin has cancelled its flight to and from Newark due to the anticipated heavy snowfall but is planning to operate most flights as scheduled.
The airline is offering passengers booked to New York, Washington and Boston today or tomorrow, the chance to switch flights to a later due to the expected disruption.
Virgin said: "Travel must be before the 19th February and in the same booking class as previous ticket."
Winter Strom Pax stretched from eastern Texas to the Carolinas leaving five dead, 260,000 without power and 3,500 flights cancelled yesterday.
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport – the world’s busiest – looked deserted as it cancelled almost 2,500 flights up until 5pm yesterday.
As an important connecting hub, the knock-on effect of cancellations and delays was felt right across the country.
Atlanta airport spokesman Reese McCranie said all travellers should check with their respective airlines before going to the airport, adding that all the airlines are being "supremely cautious."
McCranie said the airport will remain open all week and have deployed essential operational staff working 12-hour shifts to deal with de-icing.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports