Overview
A second winter storm brought major travel disruptions to Chicago on Monday, with hundreds of cancellations and over a thousand delays at O’Hare International Airport.
Flight Disruptions at Chicago Airports
More than 275 flights were canceled at O’Hare International Airport, while Midway Airport reported only one cancellation.
The number of disruptions is expected to grow as snow continues across the region.
As of 7 p.m. Monday:
- Over 1,100 delays were reported at O’Hare.
- The FAA issued a ground delay program until 10:59 p.m., with average delays exceeding 80 minutes.
Throughout the day, O’Hare topped FlightAware’s Misery Map, recording more delays and cancellations than any other major airport in the United States.
Passenger Experiences
Passengers reported lengthy delays on both Sunday and Monday:
- Some waited up to two hours on board while crews de-iced aircraft.
- Others remained stuck on the tarmac after landing, waiting alongside dozens of planes for an available gate.
Traveler Stories
A business traveler from Virginia, Alante Montgomery, was stranded since Sunday while trying to reach Fargo, North Dakota:
“Our flight got delayed, then pushed to 8 p.m., and then it got canceled. We had to get a hotel.”
A rescheduled flight the next day was also canceled.
Montgomery added:
“Our bags are in Fargo. We had to go shopping today. It’s bad… but we can’t control the weather, so just be patient.”
Another passenger, Yegor Aleksandrov, a flight student from Florida, shared a similar sentiment:
“You can’t really control it — it’s just the weather. You have to deal with it at that point.”
Expert Commentary
Joseph Schwieterman, aviation professor at DePaul University, said airlines are struggling to recover after the busy holiday period.
O’Hare is already operating at maximum gate capacity:
“You throw a wrench into the equation, and things can drag on for several days of adjustments.”
He added that most airlines are providing flexible travel policies:
“They’re going the extra mile, but the scope of the problems is so severe that people are inevitably stuck.”
Air Travel Tips for Passengers
- Pack essentials — medications, chargers, and a change of clothes — in your carry-on.
- Download your airline’s app and enable notifications.
- Stay flexible and prepared to adjust travel plans.
What’s Next
Travelers heading to O’Hare or Midway are urged to check their flight status frequently before leaving home, as delays and cancellations may continue into the next day.
