On June 16, 2025, severe thunderstorms wreaked havoc on air travel across the United States, causing over 1,600 flight delays and cancellations at major airports, including Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL). The disruptions affected American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Air Canada, WestJet, and several other carriers, stranding thousands of passengers during one of the busiest travel weekends of the season.
Dallas-Fort Worth: The Epicenter of Disruptions
DFW, a major hub for American Airlines, experienced 846 flight delays and 177 cancellations, totaling 1,023 disruptions in a single day. American Airlines bore the brunt, with 443 delays (38% of its schedule) and 88 cancellations (7%).
Regional carriers under the American Airlines brand, including Envoy Air and PSA Airlines, also faced setbacks:
- Envoy Air: 173 delays (32%) and 53 cancellations (10%)
- PSA Airlines: 53 delays (41%) and 23 cancellations (17%)
- SkyWest Airlines: 51 delays and 12 cancellations
Other major carriers, including Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Air Canada, Lufthansa, and Emirates, reported disruptions, though on a smaller scale. Inside terminals, passengers faced long queues, overwhelmed rebooking systems, and limited accommodation options as the storm stalled aircraft movement for hours.
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson: The World’s Busiest Airport Slows Down
At Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, the world’s busiest airport by passenger volume, travelers encountered similar chaos. The airport recorded 604 delays and 47 cancellations, totaling 651 flight disruptions.
Delta Air Lines, the dominant carrier at ATL, suffered 422 delays (25%) and 35 cancellations (2%), while other airlines also faced setbacks:
- Southwest Airlines: 38 delays (32%)
- Endeavor Air: 40 delays and 1 cancellation
- Frontier Airlines: 26 delays and 9 cancellations
- Spirit Airlines, American Airlines, PSA Airlines, and United also reported flight interruptions.
International carriers, including Air France, British Airways, Aeroméxico Connect, Virgin Atlantic, and WestJet, saw delays ranging from 33% to 50% of their scheduled flights.
Ripple Effects Across the Nation
The operational chaos at DFW and ATL extended nationwide, affecting flights at New York’s JFK, LaGuardia, and Detroit Metro airports. Airlines struggled to manage the sudden spike in disruptions, leading to hours-long delays, rebookings, and last-minute itinerary changes.
What Travelers Should Expect
Passengers flying through DFW or ATL in the coming days should prepare for potential delays, monitor airline alerts, and have contingency plans in place. Experts recommend:
- Downloading airline apps for real-time updates
- Checking flight statuses frequently
- Arriving early to account for longer lines at check-in and security
With meteorologists forecasting continued thunderstorm activity across parts of the Midwest and Southeast, airlines are bracing for further turbulence. The FAA has issued airspace flow programs, warning of possible additional disruptions at key hub airports.
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