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United Airlines’ Severe Weather Cancellations Continue: Hundreds Of Flights Cancelled In Less Than 48 Hours

On July 27 and July 28, United Airlines cancelled over 300 flights due to major disruptions in the Midwest and, currently, on the East Coast. All major U.S. carriers have been impacted by the severe weather disruptions. On Monday, 1,746 flights within, into, or out of the United States were cancelled. That number remains high on Tuesday, with more than 1,000 cancelled flights thus far.

As a result of the disruptions, United Airlines has offered passengers flexible rebooking options at several of its East Coast hubs for travel on July 28.

United Airlines’ East Coast Airports Eligible For Free Rebooking On July 28

  • Baltimore, MD, US (BWI)
  • Washington, DC, US (DCA)
  • Newark, NJ/New York, NY, US (EWR)
  • Washington, DC, US (IAD)
  • New York, NY, US (JFK)
  • New York, NY, US (LGA)
  • Philadelphia, PA, US (PHL)

United Airlines’ offer continues until July 30, 2026. The carrier will waive the change fees and fare differences at the select airports.

The carrier wrote on its travel alerts page, “If your flight is affected, here are your options: You can reschedule your trip and we’ll waive change fees and fare differences. But, your new flight must be a United flight departing between July 27, 2026 and July 30, 2026. Tickets must be in the same cabin and between the same cities as originally booked.”

The rebooking process has been a frustrating experience for United’s customers. Along with cancellations, the carrier has also experienced delays on flights and during rebooking.

United Airlines Cancelled Over 300 Flights In Less Than 48 Hours

Chicago O’Hare Airport’s United Airlines delays and cancellations board
Credit: via Shutterstock

The FAA issued multiple ground stops nationwide on Monday, which continued into Tuesday. Due to hot, humid weather, Chicago and northern Illinois faced severe storms, including tornado warnings.

As a result of the severe weather on Monday afternoon and evening, major U.S. carriers, including United Airlines, were forced to delay and cancel flights.

According to FlightAware data, Chicago O’Hare International Airport had the most cancelled flights worldwide, with 531 cancellations on departures and 477 on arrivals.

Given ORD’s high volume of flights, United Airlines was directly impacted. The carrier had more cancelled flights than its major competitors: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines.

U.S. Airlines With The Most Cancelled Flights On July 27

Rank

Airline

Cancellations

1

SkyWest

301

2

Republic

268

3

United Airlines

237

4

American Airlines

175

5

Envoy Air

140

Along with ORD cancellations, United Airlines also saw a high volume of cancellations at Newark Liberty International Airport. A ground stop was issued due to staffing shortages and was extended on Tuesday because of thunderstorms in the New York-New Jersey area.

Online, United Airlines customers detailed their travel experiences over the last 24 hours. Many were frustrated by several delays that later led to cancellations.

How United Airlines Customers Reacted To The Chicago Travel Disruptions

Passengers line up to board a United Airlines flight during the busy summer travel season in Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)

Passengers line up to board a United Airlines flight during the busy summer travel season at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
Credit: Pamela Brick/Shutterstock

Traveler Mateo Fernandez de Oliveira, a United customer, faced delays and a cancelled flight at ORD. The customer expressed frustration, stating that the airline did not make rebooking available.

“Stuck in Chicago all day, at first it was the weather and then there were never any reasons. They don’t solve anything for you over the phone and there’s also no staff available to help you rearrange your flight itinerary. What a disaster @united is,” he wrote on X.

United customer Timothy Galluzi experienced baggage delays following a cancellation. According to Galluzi on X, hundreds of passengers were involved.

“@united is absolutely imploding at ORD in Chicago. Hundreds of people, including myself waiting hours to get their bags returned after a ton of cancellations. How is it so hard to return bags that don’t even get loaded onto planes?”

United’s issues at ORD and EWR continued into Tuesday. A United customer reported delays between Chicago and Newark this morning, with little explanation from the carrier.

“UA1209 Chicago to Newark delayed, then cancelled, and no one at Chicago to communicate anything! Why?!! Your passengers deserve better!”

United’s cancellations have continued into Tuesday, with more delays and cancelled flights at its major hubs, particularly on the East Coast.

United Airlines’ Current Delays And Cancellations

Passengers at a United Airlines gate at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD, USA

Passengers at a United Airlines gate at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD, USA
Credit: via Shutterstock

Cancellations remain high nationwide. As of early afternoon on Tuesday, there are 1,385 cancelled flights within, into, or out of the United States. Although cancellations in Chicago have decreased, disruption numbers remain high at major East Coast hubs.

U.S. Airports With The Most Departure Cancellations On July 28

Rank

Airport

Cancellations

1

LaGuardia Airport

202

2

John F. Kennedy International Airport

145

3

Newark Liberty International Airport

74

4

Boston Logan International Airport

69

Republic currently has the most cancelled flights worldwide, while JetBlue also continues to experience disruptions in New York and Boston. United Airlines currently has 74 cancelled flights and 167 delays.

The numbers are expected to increase throughout the day, with additional ground stops expected.

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