Etihad halts New York, Washington flights as US snowstorm triggers mass cancellations
Storm Fern causes largest US flight disruption in a year
ABU DHABI – Etihad Airways has suspended several services to the United States as a powerful winter storm continues to disrupt air travel across large parts of the country.
The Abu Dhabi-based carrier confirmed cancellations on key transatlantic routes, citing safety concerns linked to severe snowfall, freezing rain, and dangerously low temperatures. Thousands of flights across the US have been grounded, marking one of the most disruptive winter travel weekends in the past year.
The airline said it is actively assisting affected passengers, offering rebooking options or full refunds, while keeping other North American services operational where conditions allow.
Etihad flight suspensions
Etihad has cancelled flights to and from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport on Sunday, 25 January. The affected services include EY1 and EY3 operating from Abu Dhabi to JFK, EY2 and EY4 on the return sector, as well as EY5 and EY6 between Abu Dhabi and Washington Dulles.
All other Etihad flights to the US and Canada are currently operating as scheduled. Passengers impacted by the cancellations are being contacted directly and advised to ensure their details are up to date via etihad.com/contactme to receive real-time SMS and email notifications.
In a statement, Etihad said the safety and comfort of its guests and crew remain its highest priority, apologising for the inconvenience caused. Travellers can also seek updates through the Etihad mobile app, the airline’s website, or its customer contact centre.
Emirates cancellations
Dubai-based Emirates has also cancelled multiple US-bound flights due to the anticipated impact of the storm. The airline confirmed that customers connecting through Dubai on affected services will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin.
Cancelled Emirates flights include services to and from Dallas, New York, Washington DC, Boston, Newark, and Milan across 24, 25 and 26 January. Routes affected span EK221 and EK222 between Dubai and Dallas, several New York rotations including EK201 through EK206, flights between Athens and Newark, and services linking Dubai with Washington and Boston.
Emirates has advised passengers to contact their travel agents or the airline directly for rebooking and to check the Manage Your Booking section of its website to ensure contact details remain current.
Other airlines
Air India has announced the cancellation of all flights to and from New York and Newark on 25 and 26 January. In a statement posted on X, the airline said the decision was taken to ensure the safety of passengers and crew amid deteriorating weather conditions.
Passengers booked on affected Air India services are being assisted with alternative arrangements and have been advised to contact the airline’s 24-hour call centre or visit airindia.com for further information.
Storm Fern
The winter system, known as Storm Fern, has already caused widespread disruption across the US aviation network. More than 9,000 flights were cancelled over the weekend, with over 5,800 cancellations recorded on Sunday alone, the worst single day for US flight disruptions in the past year.
Dallas has emerged as one of the hardest-hit cities, with more than 65 percent of departures cancelled at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and over 60 per cent at Dallas Love Field. Other major airports expected to face severe disruption include Atlanta, Washington Reagan National, and Baltimore/Washington International.
The storm system stretches from New Mexico to New England, placing around 140 million people under winter weather warnings. Forecasts indicate heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain across much of the eastern two-thirds of the country, raising concerns over power outages, hazardous road conditions, and further travel disruption. At least 14 US states and Washington DC have declared weather emergencies as airlines warn of sudden schedule changes.