Storms delay nearly 4,000 US flights, with Boston and New York most affected

Disruption overview

Heavy storms across the US Northeast disrupted flights on 13 September 2026, delaying nearly 4,000 flights operating within, into, or out of the United States by mid-afternoon. Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) was among the worst hit with about 250 inbound delays, while John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) also saw major weather-related delays.

Because the disruption was driven by severe weather outside the airline's control, compensation under EC 261 is usually unlikely on affected flights. Still, airlines should provide care and assistance during long delays, and AirHelp's free flight checker can help you understand what rights may apply to your trip.

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Disruption details

Severe late-summer storms delayed nearly 4,000 flights operating within, into, or out of the United States on 13 September 2026, with Boston, New York, and Atlanta among the main pressure points. For passengers, that meant longer waits and a day of uncertainty across the country's air-travel network.

Several major airports were hit especially hard:

• Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) recorded about 250 inbound delays, equal to roughly 40% of scheduled arrivals by 3:15 pm.

• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) saw around 150 affected flights.

• LaGuardia Airport (LGA) had more than 100 affected flights.

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) continued to deal with lengthy weather delays, including one that stretched to 271 minutes.

The Federal Aviation Administration also imposed ground stops, which temporarily hold departing traffic, at JFK and LaGuardia on Sunday morning. Those restrictions were lifted later in the day, but the slowdown didn't disappear straight away. By 3:30 pm, JFK was still seeing average delays of 15 minutes.

Atlanta had already run into its own weather problems before the worst of Sunday's disruption. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport faced a similar pause late on Friday, 11 September, and weather-related delays continued through the weekend.

The main driver was severe weather, not industrial action or a technical issue. Storms across New England and the wider Northeast corridor dropped up to 4 in (about 100 mm) of rain in under 3 hours in some places, enough to trigger flash-flood warnings. Although air-traffic staffing shortages remain a wider concern in the US system, they weren't the main cause of this weekend's disruption.

Officials also issued flood alerts across the region. New York City was under a Flood Watch from 4:00 am to 12:00 pm on Sunday, while parts of Boston, Rhode Island, and eastern Connecticut remained under watch until at least 6:00 pm. Residents and travelers were urged to monitor alerts and be prepared to move to higher ground if needed.

There was also a risk of more disruption on 14 September 2026. Forecasts pointed to another round of showers moving into the tri-state area behind a cold front, raising the prospect of further delays at the start of the new week.

There were no reports of widespread cancellations. But when weather slows down some of the country's busiest corridors, delays can spread quickly well beyond the worst-hit airports and affect flights nationwide.

If your journey was affected, it's worth knowing that compensation under EC 261 is usually unlikely when delays are caused by severe weather outside an airline's control. That said, you're not without support. Airlines should still provide care and assistance during longer waits, including food and refreshments, accommodation if an overnight stay becomes necessary, and, where relevant, rebooking or a refund. If you'd like to understand what may apply to your trip, you can still use AirHelp's free flight checker.

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