UPDATE: A powerful snowstorm has left hundreds of travelers stranded at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) as of late Friday night, creating an overnight nightmare for holiday returnees. The storm has led to over 158 flight cancellations and 204 delays at JFK, marking it the hardest-hit airport in the country. Passengers report chaotic scenes as they await news on rescheduled flights amid unrelenting snowfall.
Snow began accumulating on Friday evening, with forecasts predicting up to a foot in some areas by Saturday afternoon. This prompted state officials to declare a state of emergency across more than half of New York. Travelers, including international families, are left with little information and mounting frustration.
“I came to New York to have a ‘Home Alone’ Christmas just by myself,” said Danniel Sermone, 31, whose flight to Denver was canceled early Friday. “I’ve been hanging out at JFK for about eight hours and still got like 30 left.” With his next available flight pushed to 6 a.m. on December 28, the sense of despair is palpable among those stuck.
Families traveling from abroad are among the most affected. Mara Pimenta, who arrived in New York from São Paulo for a Christmas vacation, expressed her anxiety: “We don’t know when we can go back to Brazil. I have been on hold for an hour.” Her Latam Airlines flight was canceled without warning, leaving her and her husband with two young children and nowhere to stay as their hotel was fully booked.
The situation worsened for Chaithanya Sing, who was stranded with her 9-month-old baby after her Air France flight to India was abruptly canceled. “I went to Terminal One to speak to someone at Air France, and there was no one, it’s like a ghost counter,” she lamented. Her husband described the situation as “very depressing” as their daughter was supposed to meet her grandparents for the first time.
Nearby airports are also facing severe disruptions. Newark Liberty International Airport reported 107 cancellations, while LaGuardia Airport logged 90 flight scrapped as the storm escalated. With forecasters warning that snowfall rates may exceed two inches per hour, the urgency for travelers to prepare is critical.
New York Mayor Eric Adams urged residents to avoid driving unless absolutely necessary and to stay informed about changing conditions. “New Yorkers should all prepare — give yourself extra travel time if you need to travel,” he stated. Travelers are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC for real-time updates.
As the storm continues to wreak havoc, passengers are left anxiously waiting at JFK, surrounded by luggage and uncertainty. The plight of these holiday travelers highlights the urgent need for airlines to enhance customer service during extreme weather events.
Stay tuned for more updates as this situation develops.
