Holiday Travelers Stranded at JFK as Winter Storm Triggers Flight Chaos Across New York
What should have been a busy but joyful post-Christmas travel weekend turned into a long, exhausting ordeal for hundreds of travellers at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Friday night, as a powerful winter storm brought snow, delays, and widespread flight cancellations across the region.
As snow blanketed New York City and much of the tri-state area, JFK became a scene of frustration and fatigue. Families sat on the terminal floor surrounded by suitcases, parents tried to comfort crying children, and solo travellers stared at departure boards filled with red cancellation notices.
For many, the problem wasn’t just the cancelled flights; it was the lack of information, the long waits, and the growing sense that no one could tell them when they would finally make it home.
“I’ve Basically Been Living at the Airport”
Danniel Sermone, a 31-year-old traveller from Denver, said his holiday trip took an unexpected turn when his flight was cancelled on Friday morning.
“I came to New York to have a ‘Home Alone’ Christmas,” he said, explaining that he spent the holiday by himself exploring the city. “I went shopping, went to Times Square, hung out with the crowds. It was great until this.”
His next available flight isn’t until early on December 28. By Friday night, he had already spent eight hours at the airport, with more than a full day still ahead of him.
“I’ve basically been living at JFK,” he said. “There’s nowhere to go, and you just keep waiting.”

Families Left With Nowhere to Turn
For families travelling with children, the situation was even more stressful. Mara Pimenta arrived at JFK with her husband and two young kids after visiting New York from São Paulo for Christmas. Instead of boarding their flight home to Brazil, they discovered it had been cancelled without any notice.
“We don’t know when we can go back,” she said. “I’ve been on hold for an hour, and all they told me was maybe the 29th. Just wait.”
To make matters worse, the hotel they had stayed at earlier in the week was now fully booked due to the storm, leaving the family stuck at the airport with luggage and no place to sleep.
“I have no information, nothing,” Pimenta said. “Just bags and two kids.”
Nearby, another mother sat on the floor holding her baby, clearly overwhelmed. Chaithanya Sing, 32, said her Air France flight to India was cancelled and later moved to another airline, but her infant’s ticket wasn’t transferred.
“I tried going to the counter to talk to someone,” she said. “It was like a ghost counter. No one was there.”
Her husband added quietly that the situation was heartbreaking. “Our daughter was supposed to meet her grandparents for the first time.”

Snowstorm Brings Region to a Standstill
The travel chaos came as a fast-moving winter storm slammed New York and neighbouring states. Forecasters warned that parts of the region could see close to a foot of snow, prompting officials to declare a state of emergency across more than half of New York.
The storm hit at one of the busiest travel times of the year, just as millions of people were returning home after Christmas. Snow-covered runways, reduced visibility, and safety concerns forced airlines to ground planes and reshuffle schedules.
By Friday night, JFK had recorded the highest number of flight cancellations of any airport in the United States. More than 150 flights were cancelled, and over 200 were delayed. By Saturday, at least 130 additional departures from JFK were scrapped.
Other airports in the region were also heavily affected. Newark Liberty International Airport reported over 100 cancellations, while LaGuardia Airport wasn’t far behind, with nearly 90 cancelled flights. Combined, the three airports saw hundreds of delays.

Long Lines, Little Information
While airlines stressed that weather-related cancellations are unavoidable, many travellers said what made the situation unbearable was the lack of communication.
Passengers described spending hours on hold trying to reach airline representatives, only to be disconnected or told to wait longer. Some said airline staff were overwhelmed, while others said counters were left unattended altogether.
“How can you have an airline with no customer care during a weather emergency?” Sing asked, her baby asleep in her arms.
Others said they weren’t angry about the snow; they understood safety comes first, but they felt abandoned.
“Just tell us something,” one traveller said. “Even bad news is better than nothing.”
A Long Weekend Ahead
As snow continued to fall overnight and into Saturday morning, officials warned that delays and cancellations could persist. Crews worked to clear runways and get planes moving again, but airline schedules remained backed up.
For travellers stuck at JFK, the hours blended. Some tried to rest on benches or the floor. Others rationed snacks, recharged phones, or watched their children play between suitcases.
Despite the frustration, small moments of kindness surfaced. Strangers shared chargers, snacks, and advice. Parents helped each other watch the kids. Airport workers handed out updates when they could.
An Unforgettable Holiday Ending
For many, this holiday season will be remembered not for gifts or celebrations but for cold terminals, cancelled flights, and long nights at the airport.
“I just want to go home,” Pimenta said quietly, watching her children play with their backpacks. “That’s all anyone here wants.”
As the storm slowly moves out of the region, travellers hope airlines and airports can catch up and that the journey home won’t take much longer.
For now, JFK remains packed with tired travellers waiting for one thing: a boarding call that finally says “on time.”
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