Travelers stranded as FAA implements ground delays amid severe storms

On Monday, June 30, 2025, severe thunderstorms caused significant operational disruptions at major airports across the East Coast of the United States. Starting in the afternoon, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented ground delays at several key facilities, including John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, as heavy storms moved into the region. These weather conditions led to cancellations and delays affecting thousands of travelers. Data from FlightAware reported around 619 flights canceled across the five airports late Monday afternoon alone, as well as 1,900 flight delays reported during the course of the day. The situation worsened later as the FAA extended its precautions to manage the influx of flights affected by the deteriorating weather conditions. Delays at Newark Liberty Airport reached up to four hours, compounded by staffing shortages. LaGuardia was hit particularly hard with approximately 180 cancellations and around 400 delays reported. These disruptions came just before the holiday weekend, a busy travel time, creating a nightmare for many passengers. Warnings from the National Weather Service indicated further potential severe thunderstorms moving through the region. Flight cancellations were not isolated to Monday alone; starting from Saturday, travelers faced significant challenges with over 1,600 flights canceled that day alone. This was followed by 846 cancellations on Sunday and another 1,317 on Monday, swelling the total of affected flights leading into the Tuesday holiday period. The heavy rain and high winds contributed to further delays and complications across the region. As preparations for the holiday weekend ramped up, the disruptions raised concerns among airline passengers, many of whom were unaware of the potential for such extensive delays and cancellations. With forecasts of continued severe weather, countless travelers were left scrambling for alternative travel arrangements. With a record 72.2 million Americans expected to travel over the holiday weekend, the effects of this storm were bound to ripple through the travel plans of many across the nation, marking a tumultuous period for air travel during a peak travel time of the year.