Thousands of flights delayed or canceled amid coast-to-coast winter storm 

Thousands of flights were delayed or canceled across the United States on Wednesday as the nation faces a coast-to-coast winter storm that is affecting millions. 

At least 5,576 flights scheduled to fly within, into, or out of the United States were delayed by Wednesday evening, according to flight tracking website FlightAware. Additionally, more than 1,650 flights were canceled. 

The airlines that have been impacted the most by this week’s winter storm include SkyWest, Delta, and Southwest, many of which are anticipating more scheduling issues and issued weather waivers. Each airline canceled between 200 and 350 flights and delayed between 315 and 470 flights—between 6 and 17% of their scheduled flights. 

Other U.S.-based airlines also reported cancellations, although in lower numbers, including United Airlines, American Airlines, and Alaska Airlines. The three airlines canceled around 40 flights each. However, they reported an equally high number of delays, ranging from 280 to 350 canceled flights by Wednesday evening. 

The delays and cancellations come as a coast-to-coast winter storm is sweeping through the nation this week, bringing heavy snow, strong winds, cold temperatures, sleet, and freezing rain, as well as possible blizzards to more than 35 states and 31 million Americans.  

The flight disruptions were mostly concentrated in western and midwestern airports, particularly Denver International Airport and Minneapolis-Saint Paul airport, where the storm is currently passing through. However, other airports are expected to be affected as the storm moves toward the East coast.