Massive northeast storm triggers flight delays, cancellations in Atlanta

Travel Chaos: Winter storm and Mexico unrest hit Hartsfield-Jackson

A massive winter blizzard is paralyzing the Northeast, while violent civil unrest in Mexico following the death of cartel leader "El Mencho" has forced flight cancellations at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. With over 5,000 flights canceled nationwide on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, our Billy Heath is live at the airport to help you navigate the travel disruptions.

ATLANTA - A major northeast storm is having ripple effects across the country, even causing dozens of flight disruptions at the world's busiest airport.

What we know:

As of 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport reports 69 flight cancellations and 66 delays, according to FlightAware.

The airline most affected is Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines, with 37 cancellations and 37 delays.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 25: Passengers are seen in the North Terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on January 25, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. A massive winter storm is bringing frigid temperatures, ice, and snow to nearly 200

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Most of the cancellations, 45, are out of the Northeast while 22 are canceled from Atlanta to airports in the Northeast.

Big picture view:

Nationwide, FlightAware reports more than 730 cancellations and 189 delays. New York's JFK and Boston's Logan airport both show red on the misery map. Washington D.C. also shows a significant slowdown, but not as bad as the others. 

The backstory:

The cancellations stem from a powerful blizzard blanketing the Northeast Sunday into Monday. Snowfall totals climbed into the double digits in several communities across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Some parts of New York, mainly on Long Island, saw more than two feet of snow. Central Park in Manhattan reported 15.1 inches of snow.