(NEW YORK) As Storm Erin moves closer to the U.S. East Coast, New York’s three major airports are facing travel trouble. On August 13, over 300 flights were canceled across JFK, Newark Liberty, and LaGuardia, and officials warn more delays and cancellations could follow through at least August 14. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Port Authority say weather remains the main driver, and construction at JFK is making airport access slower. Airlines have posted travel waivers, and travelers are being urged to check flight status before leaving home, use mass transit, and be ready for last‑minute changes.
FAA data shows the trouble started earlier in the week. On August 12, severe thunderstorms forced FAA ground stops at all three airports, causing a chain reaction of delays up and down the East Coast.
- Delay peaks by airport:
- JFK: departures backed up by about 2 hours and 35 minutes
- Newark: departures stretched to 4 hours and 31 minutes (the worst of the three)
- LaGuardia: planes held on the ground through 8 p.m.
A weather alert for New York stays active through 11:59 p.m. on August 14, 2025.
Latest disruptions and official status
As of the morning of August 14, the FAA’s National Airspace System dashboard shows rising average departure delays in New York. Both JFK and LaGuardia are posting general arrival delays of 15 minutes or less — numbers that can shift quickly as bands from Storm Erin pass through.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is advising people to use mass transit and to check with their airline before heading to the airport, noting that major construction at JFK is adding to roadway backups and curbside congestion.
You can track airport‑specific programs on the FAA’s website: FAA’s National Airspace System Status.
Those local bottlenecks fed into a national slowdown. On August 12, more than 6,000 flights in and out of the United States were delayed and nearly 600 were canceled, according to FlightAware. Aviation planners say the network remains fragile when storms line up along the Northeast corridor, and the approach of Storm Erin is keeping traffic managers on alert for new ground stops or flow restrictions as needed for safety.
Key takeaway: the system is fragile — short‑notice ground stops or flow restrictions remain possible as Storm Erin’s bands move through the region.
Airline responses and traveler guidance
Airlines are adjusting operations and issuing waivers as conditions evolve:
- JetBlue: issued travel waivers for affected customers booked on August 13, allowing changes or cancellations without fees based on route and fare rules.
- Delta Air Lines: its most recent waiver focuses on flights between New York‑JFK and Tel Aviv (paused through August 31 due to regional conflict); Delta says it is monitoring domestic disruptions and notifying customers directly.
- Air Canada: directing passengers to its hurricane and tropical storm policy and promising automatic flight notifications as conditions shift.
Practical steps for travelers:
- Check flight status frequently through your airline’s app or website, and the FAA’s National Airspace System Status page, since conditions tied to Storm Erin can change in minutes.
- Review travel waivers posted by your carrier for August 13 and beyond; many allow fee‑free changes or refunds when your flight is canceled or significantly delayed.
- Contact your airline directly if you receive a cancellation notice; use in‑app chat, call centers, or airport counters to rebook, and keep your original confirmation number handy.
- Monitor official updates from the FAA and the Port Authority, which may add new ground stops or traffic holds for safety.
- Use mass transit to reach the airport, especially JFK, where long‑running construction is adding roadway delays on top of weather‑driven congestion.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the mix of severe weather and long‑term construction creates a “perfect storm” for the New York air system, producing ripple effects across the East Coast. Aviation experts add that safety calls, including temporary ground stops, will continue to override schedule pressure as Storm Erin’s outer bands drift over the region.
Why New York is especially vulnerable
New York’s airports rank among the busiest in the world, so even modest weather can ripple into missed connections and crew time‑outs. In recent years, storm‑driven disruptions have become more frequent and severe during peak summer and fall months. That trend has prompted carriers and airports to refine:
- emergency staffing
- gate use
- customer messaging
At JFK, a multi‑year modernization is reshaping terminals and roadways. Until that work ends, reduced flexibility makes the system more sensitive to shutdowns when rain, wind, and lightning stack up.
Outlook and advice for the next 24–48 hours
How the next two days play out depends largely on Storm Erin’s track. Forecast bands may trigger more short‑notice holds or diversions, and schedules could change several times in a single day. Travelers should expect volatility through the next 24 to 48 hours, with airlines continuing to issue waivers and push notifications as conditions shift.
Officials emphasize:
- The FAA will continue real‑time adjustments, including ground stops and delays as needed for safety.
- The Port Authority urges people to check with airlines before leaving and warns that curbside and security lines may grow quickly during weather holds.
- Airlines across the network are offering flexible rebooking and, in many cases, refunds when flights are canceled.
Where to check for updates:
- FAA’s National Airspace System Status page for airport‑by‑airport delay programs: FAA’s National Airspace System Status
- Port Authority advisories for access and transit updates
- Individual airlines’ travel‑alerts pages for waiver details and eligibility
JetBlue, Delta Air Lines, and Air Canada say they are sending automatic notifications to affected customers via apps and email. Officials stress that conditions around New York can improve, then worsen again within the same afternoon as Storm Erin’s bands shift direction.
Travel tip: pack patience, plan for extra time, and keep plans flexible. Expect changes through Thursday evening at the region’s airports.
This Article in a Nutshell
Storm Erin disrupted New York air travel: over 300 cancellations on August 13 and severe delays. Newark saw the longest backups, construction at JFK worsened access, and FAA warned of ongoing ground stops. Travelers should check airline waivers, use mass transit, and expect rapid changes over the next 24–48 hours.
