A winter snowstorm brought air travel to a standstill at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on Sunday, leaving passengers stuck on planes for hours before reaching airport gates. The National Weather Service reported that by 1 p.m., the area had received 4.6 inches of snow, exceeding snowfall totals at Newark and LaGuardia airports. Overnight temperatures plunged into the low teens, worsening conditions on runways and taxiways.
Flight tracking data revealed extensive delays for arriving aircraft, many of which were forced to wait long periods before parking. A Delta Air Lines flight arriving from Charlotte landed nearly three hours behind schedule and then remained on the tarmac for an additional three and a half hours before passengers could disembark.
Travelers on an American Airlines flight from Miami also faced significant disruptions. The flight departed two hours late, circled twice while approaching JFK, and then spent more than an hour taxiing after landing, according to aviation tracking services.
Air traffic control advisories showed that arrival rates at JFK were sharply reduced to allow crews to clear snow and ice. An advisory issued around 10 a.m. warned that the ground delay program could result in average delays exceeding three hours, with some flights running nearly five hours late.
As congestion intensified, Delta temporarily halted departures to JFK. In a statement, the airline said winter weather affecting taxiways contributed to the delays, emphasizing that passenger safety remained its top priority while apologizing for the disruption.
FlightAware data showed widespread impact across the New York City region, with more than 1,400 flights delayed or canceled. Over 500 of those disruptions occurred at JFK alone. More than half of all flights at JFK and Newark experienced delays, while roughly 20 percent were canceled. At LaGuardia Airport, cancellations reached about 40 percent.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia airports, did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent outside regular U.S. working hours.
