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Yesterday — 23 February 2026Main stream

Thousands of Travellers Left Stranded as United, American Airlines, Delta, and Republic Face 252 Delays and 237 Cancellations at Chicago O’Hare, Affecting New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Major US cities

23 February 2026 at 22:10
Thousands of Travellers Left Stranded as United, American Airlines, Delta, and Republic Face 252 Delays and 237 Cancellations at Chicago O’Hare, Affecting New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Major US cities
Thousands of Travellers Left Stranded as United, American Airlines, Delta, and Republic Face Widespread Delays and Cancellations at Chicago O'Hare, Affecting New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Major US cities

There are huge problems at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, or ORD, that include 252 flight delays and 237 cancellations. This impacts travelers and the airline and tourism industries. Since O’Hare is one of the busiest airports in the country, the disruptions are really bad for all the major cities, and small cities, that are connected to the hub by airline services, and the passengers and the airlines.

Affected Airlines

The flight disruptions at Chicago O’Hare International Airport have affected a variety of airlines, with varying levels of cancellations and delays. Among the most impacted is United Airlines, which saw 66 cancellations (10%) and 29 delays (4%). Republic Airlines experienced a 25% cancellation rate with 58 cancellations, along with 9 delays (4%). American Airlines had 47 cancellations (12%) and 22 delays (5%), while Envoy Air (AAL) reported 24 cancellations (5%) and 42 delays (9%).

Delta Air Lines had 8 cancellations (19%) and 3 delays (7%), while SkyWest Airlines had 8 cancellations (1%) but a significantly higher 89 delays (21%). Endeavor Air (DAL) saw all of its flights canceled, with a 100% cancellation rate and no delays. Spirit Airlines experienced 5 cancellations (14%) and 8 delays (23%). GoJet (UAL) had 4 cancellations (2%) and 18 delays (11%), while Frontier had 4 cancellations (13%) and 1 delay (3%).

Smaller carriers such as JetBlue had 4 cancellations (100%) with no delays, while PSA Airlines (AAL) saw 1 cancellation (4%) and 6 delays (24%). International carriers were also affected, including Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, EVA Air, and Japan Airlines, each with 1 cancellation and varying percentages of delays. Korean Air and LOT Polish Airlines had a 50% cancellation rate, while Jazz (ACA) reported 2 cancellations (16%) and 1 delay (50%).

Other international airlines, such as Southwest, Swiss, Emirates, and Contour Airlines, had minimal disruptions, with some experiencing delays or cancellations across a small portion of their flights. WestJet had 2 cancellations with a 100% rate, while All Nippon Airways experienced 2 cancellations (33%) and 3 delays (21%). Alaska Airlines reported 3 delays (21%) but no cancellations.

This extensive disruption highlights the broad impact across both domestic and international flights, severely affecting passengers and causing considerable delays throughout the day.

Affected Airports and Cities

The delays and cancellations at O’Hare are having a cascading effect on airports across the nation and beyond. Other major airports, including those in New York, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, have reported increased delays due to flights diverted or held up waiting for clearance from O’Hare. Additionally, smaller regional airports are seeing disruptions as a result of canceled connecting flights, making it harder for travelers to reach their destinations.

Cities impacted by the delays include Chicago itself, as well as popular tourist destinations like New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami. International flights from Europe, especially from London, Paris, and Frankfurt, are also affected. As passengers are stranded or redirected, these major cities are experiencing an influx of frustrated travelers, many of whom are unable to get to their original destinations on time.

Passengers Affected

Thousands of passengers are affected by the delays and cancellations at Chicago O’Hare today. As of the latest count, over 15,000 passengers have been impacted directly by flight cancellations, while many more are experiencing lengthy delays that have caused travel chaos for those hoping to reach their destinations. The majority of the delays are domestic, with a significant number of international flights also affected.

Many passengers have been left stranded at O’Hare, facing long waits for rebooking or alternate flight arrangements. As expected, travelers are experiencing heightened levels of frustration, with some having to endure multiple hours of waiting and uncertainty regarding when they will be able to continue their journeys. The situation has been exacerbated by crowded terminals, limited seating, and reduced services due to the high volume of passengers.

Impact on Tourism

The tourism industry is one of the hardest-hit sectors due to the O’Hare delays and cancellations. With Chicago being a key gateway for both domestic and international tourism, the ripple effects of today’s disruptions are likely to be felt across the country’s tourism economy.

Tourists hoping to visit Chicago’s iconic attractions, such as Millennium Park, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Navy Pier, may be forced to reschedule their plans or face significant delays. Likewise, Chicago’s position as a major connection hub for flights to international destinations means that delays are likely to have a global impact, affecting travelers heading to and from the U.S.

Beyond the immediate inconvenience for passengers, the economic fallout is expected to be significant. Hotels, restaurants, and local attractions in Chicago may face a decrease in foot traffic as visitors struggle to reach their destinations on time. Additionally, the broader U.S. tourism industry could feel the effects of missed connections and lost bookings.

Conclusion

Chicago O’Hare International Airport’s flight disruptions today are a stark reminder of how quickly air travel can be affected by delays and cancellations. The 252 delays and 237 cancellations have left thousands of passengers stranded, while also affecting airports and cities across the country. The ripple effect on tourism is also concerning, as visitors to Chicago and travelers relying on the airport to reach other destinations are facing difficulties in rescheduling and rebooking their flights.

Airlines, airports, and travel agencies will need to work quickly to accommodate the affected passengers and minimize the long-term impact on tourism. In the meantime, travelers are advised to stay updated through airline websites and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the latest information on flight statuses.

Source: Flightaware and Affected Airport

The post Thousands of Travellers Left Stranded as United, American Airlines, Delta, and Republic Face 252 Delays and 237 Cancellations at Chicago O’Hare, Affecting New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Major US cities appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
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