- Flight Disruptions
- US flight disruption causes 5,284 delays and 95 cancellations on 28 May
US flight disruption causes 5,284 delays and 95 cancellations on 28 May
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Checked by Matteo Floris
Last updated on 28 May 2026
5,379
Affected flights
11
Affected airports
11
Affected airlines
Disruption overview
A broad day of disruption hit US flights on 28 May 2026, leaving 5,284 delays and 95 cancellations across major and regional airlines. Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport recorded 696 delays and 9 cancellations, while Washington Dulles International Airport saw the highest airport cancellation total with 17, as disruption also spread through Atlanta, New York LaGuardia, Charlotte, Boston, Orlando, Los Angeles, Seattle, Hartford, and Columbus. With heavy traffic, crew and aircraft rotation issues, air-traffic-control congestion, and severe weather all playing a part, passenger rights will depend on the route and the exact cause of the disruption. If your journey was affected, it’s worth checking what support or compensation may apply to your flight.
Passengers affected by this flight disruption may be eligible for compensation of up to €600 under passenger rights regulations. Eligibility depends on the circumstances of the disruption.
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Disruption details
Flight operations across the United States were heavily disrupted on 28 May 2026, with 5,284 delayed flights and 95 cancellations hitting a long list of carriers and airports. The problems stretched from Dallas and Washington to New York, Charlotte, Connecticut, Ohio, and the West Coast, turning a busy travel day into a difficult one for passengers across the country.
For passengers, this meant long gate holds, missed connections, crowded customer-service lines, and fewer rerouting options. If you were connecting through a smaller regional airport, the situation could be even harder because alternate flights were tougher to find once schedules started slipping.
The disruption touched a wide mix of carriers, including Air Canada, Delta Air Lines, Endeavor Air, Republic Airways, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, SkyWest, Envoy Air, and CommuteAir. Southwest logged the highest delay total with 933 delayed flights, while United recorded the most cancellations with 11. American Airlines was also heavily affected with 772 delays and 3 cancellations, followed by Delta with 452 delays and 3 cancellations, and Alaska with 57 delays and 8 cancellations.
Regional operators made the picture even more complicated. Airlines such as Endeavor Air, Republic Airways, SkyWest, Envoy Air, and CommuteAir feed passengers into larger networks, so when their schedules start breaking down, delays can spread far beyond one airport or one airline.
Some of the biggest trouble spots were:
Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport recorded 696 delays and 9 cancellations, putting heavy pressure on American Airlines’ hub.
Washington Dulles International Airport saw 151 delays and 17 cancellations, the highest airport cancellation total of the day.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport logged 329 delays and 3 cancellations, while LaGuardia Airport recorded 301 delays and 4 cancellations.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport had 216 delays and 4 cancellations, and Boston Logan International Airport reported 209 delays and 5 cancellations.
Orlando International Airport posted 189 delays and 2 cancellations, Los Angeles International Airport had 149 delays and 1 cancellation, and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bradley International Airport, and John Glenn Columbus International Airport also saw dozens of disrupted flights.
Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport became the clearest pressure point, putting American’s hub operation under strain and sending delays through connecting itineraries. Washington Dulles International Airport stood out for cancellations, concentrating the worst of the day’s disruption in one place and hitting United’s Washington, D.C. network especially hard.
The causes appear to have been mixed rather than tied to one single problem. Heavy peak-season traffic, crew and aircraft rotation issues, air-traffic-control congestion, and pockets of severe weather all played a role, which helps explain why the disruption spread so widely and why recovery may take time.
The disruption continued throughout the day and was still unfolding by the evening of 28 May. If you’re traveling soon, it’s worth checking your airline’s app before leaving for the airport, arriving with extra time, and keeping your plans flexible in case the pressure carries into the next travel day.
If your flight was delayed or canceled, what you’re entitled to will depend on your route and the reason for the disruption. When weather or air-traffic restrictions are part of the problem, compensation can be less certain. Even so, airlines may still need to offer rerouting or a refund, plus food, drinks, or accommodation if a long delay leaves you waiting.
If your disrupted itinerary included an EU-bound or EU-originating flight, EC 261 may apply in some cases, though not if the airline can show the disruption was outside its control. If you’re unsure what applies to your trip, you can check your flight with AirHelp for free and get a clearer view of your options.
Know your rights
These are your air passenger rights
Sometimes it’s not immediately clear whether your flight qualifies for compensation. When the cause of the delay or cancellation is uncertain, the following general rights still apply.
Rerouting or refund
If your flight is canceled, you are entitled to a new flight or a refund.
Care and assistance
If your flight is delayed by more than two to four hours, your airline must provide food and drink vouchers.
Accommodation
For overnight delays, airlines must provide hotel stays and transfers, regardless of whether compensation applies.
Communication You have the right to two phone calls or emails during extended waiting times.
Quick facts
Summary
Disruption
Delays and Cancellations
Cause
Other
Status
Current disruption
Compensation
May qualify for compensation
Flights affected
5379
Airlines affected
Air Canada, Delta Air Lines, Pinnacle Airlines, Republic Airline Inc, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Skywest Airlines, Envoy Air Inc, Commutair
Airports affected
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, New York LaGuardia Airport, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Boston Logan International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bradley International Airport, John Glenn Columbus International Airport
Cities affected
Dallas, Atlanta, New York, Charlotte, Boston, Washington, Orlando, Los Angeles, Seattle, Hartford, Columbus
Countries affected
United States, Canada
Start date
2026-05-28
Checked by
Matteo Floris
Date updated
28 May 2026
What to do if your flight is delayed, canceled, or overbooked
If you're traveling to, from, or within the European Union, here's what you should do when you experience a disruption.
Gather evidence that your flight was delayed, canceled, or overbooked.
Get the airline to provide written confirmation of the disruption and the reason behind it.
Request an alternative flight to your destination — or a refund if you no longer wish to travel.
Make a note of the arrival time at your final destination.
Ask the airline to provide vouchers for meals and refreshments.
Avoid signing documents or accepting offers that may waive your passenger rights.
If an overnight stay is required, ask the airline to provide accommodation.
Save receipts for any additional expenses caused by the disruption.
