- Air India canceled all flights to New York and Newark for January 25 and 26.
- Winter Storm Fern is causing over 13,000 flight groundings across the United States.
- Affected passengers can rebook, reschedule, or refund their tickets at no extra cost.
(NEW YORK) — Air India has canceled all flights to and from New York and Newark for Jan. 25–26, 2026, as Winter Storm Fern barrels into the region. If you’re meant to cross the Atlantic or connect onward to India this weekend, you should rework your plan now before seats and hotels disappear.
The carrier issued a travel advisory Saturday, Jan. 24, citing safety risks for passengers and crews as heavy snow, ice, and extreme cold target New York, New Jersey, and surrounding areas from early Sunday through Monday. Air India said affected travelers can rebook on alternative flights, reschedule at no extra charge, or take a full refund.
For rebooking help, Air India’s 24-hour call center numbers are +91 11 6932 9333 and +91 11 6932 9999.
| Topic | What Air India is offering for Jan. 25–26 disruptions |
|---|---|
| Affected travel | All Air India flights to/from New York and Newark |
| Dates | Jan. 25 and Jan. 26, 2026 |
| Options | Rebook, complimentary reschedule, or full refund |
| Contact | +91 11 6932 9333; +91 11 6932 9999 |
Scope of disruptions
The Air India cancellations come as the storm drives a rare, nationwide wave of flight disruptions. Flight tracking data shows more than 13,000 flights grounded across the U.S. from Saturday through Monday.
That includes more than 3,200 cancellations on Saturday and 4,800 scheduled cancellations on Sunday. New York’s biggest airports have moved into winter operations.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) activated winter protocols. That usually means de-icing queues, runway treatment, gate holds, and longer taxi times.
Even flights that operate can see multi-hour delays. Several international carriers have also trimmed schedules as Fern approaches, including Delta, Emirates, Etihad, and Singapore Airlines.
Storm details and impacts
The storm itself is sprawling, which is why recovery could take days instead of hours. Forecast impacts include up to 12 inches (30 cm) of snow across parts of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
Some areas from southern to northern Virginia could see up to 0.5 inches of ice. Fern’s reach is also unusually wide, with weather impacts stretching roughly 2,000 miles, from Texas to New England.
That corridor includes about two-thirds of the U.S. population. Beyond airports, the risks include power outages, road closures, and dangerous subzero wind chills.
⚠️ Heads Up: Even if your flight isn’t canceled, plan for long airport holds and missed connections. Winter protocols often slow arrivals before departures get officially pulled.
Emergency declarations and coordination
Emergency declarations are stacking up across the country, which can affect everything from road access to hotel availability. At least 16 states have declared emergencies, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Virginia.
Texas issued a disaster declaration covering 134 counties. Other states under emergency declarations include Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Maryland, and Kansas.
Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser also declared a state of emergency. At the federal level, President Donald Trump said the administration is coordinating with FEMA on response efforts.
What travelers should consider
For travelers booked on Air India, the practical question is where you can go instead. If you must travel, look for routings that avoid New York-area airports and the storm’s hardest-hit corridor.
In many winter events, that means repositioning to a less-affected gateway and taking a single long-haul from there. Seats may be tight because thousands of canceled flights create instant demand for the same limited inventory.
There’s also a miles-and-points angle. If you’re chasing Air India Flying Returns status, a canceled flight can slow your progress toward tier thresholds. Reaccommodations sometimes land you in a different fare class, which may earn fewer miles.
If you booked through a partner program, rebooking can also change your earning math. The same can happen if you accept a partner airline flight instead of an Air India-operated segment.
If you’re sitting on flexible points, this is one of those weekends when they can save a trip. Last-minute award seats may appear as airlines reshuffle capacity and passengers cancel.
Just watch the change and redeposit fees on your program, since policies vary widely. Competitive context matters: large U.S. carriers typically issue blanket travel waivers during major storms, and many international carriers offer similar flexibility.
In practice, Air India’s promise of complimentary rescheduling or refunds is in line with what travelers should expect during a widespread weather event.
Where to get the latest information
For the latest airport and delay conditions, the FAA’s fly.faa.gov site is the fastest way to see ground stops, arrival delays, and national airspace constraints. Air India said operations will restart when conditions improve, but surface transportation may still be difficult.
Snow-covered highways and localized power outages can turn a “short ride to the airport” into a missed flight. If you’re scheduled to fly Air India to or from New York or Newark on Jan. 25–26, lock in your choice today:
- Take the refund. Choose this if you don’t need to travel.
- Grab the best reroute. Rebook now before remaining seats are gone.
