The calm before Thanksgiving travel has shattered. A powerful storm descended upon the upper Midwest and Great Lakes, unleashing a blizzard that brought swift and widespread disruption to air travel plans.
Over 1,500 flights were canceled on Saturday alone, and the ripple effect extended into Sunday with at least 80 flights already preemptively grounded. Thousands of travelers now face unexpected delays and altered itineraries during what was predicted to be one of the busiest Thanksgiving periods in history.
Chicago bore the brunt of the storm’s impact. O’Hare International Airport saw nearly 40% of its Saturday schedule – over 1,000 flights – vanish from the boards. Midway Airport wasn’t spared, with roughly 35% of its flights also canceled.
The disruption wasn’t limited to Illinois. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport experienced a third of its flights canceled, while Eastern Iowa Airport near Cedar Rapids saw over half of its scheduled departures and arrivals eliminated. Airports across Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, and Wisconsin also reported significant cancellations.
Smaller regional airports felt the impact acutely. Airports in cities like Des Moines, St. Louis, Omaha, Green Bay, Traverse City, and Davenport all reported substantial numbers of canceled flights, creating localized travel chaos.
The storm system is forecast to move eastward, potentially impacting travel across parts of Pennsylvania and upstate New York. Even as the storm itself shifts, lingering cancellations are expected across the Midwest and Great Lakes as airlines work to restore normal operations.
Travelers scheduled to fly in the affected regions should proactively check the status of their flights before venturing to the airport. The situation remains fluid, and staying informed is crucial for navigating this unexpected disruption.
While airlines have implemented flexible rebooking policies, the immediate impact is clear: Thanksgiving travel has become significantly more challenging for thousands hoping to reach their destinations.
