Winter storm triggers flight delays at LAX and thousands of cancellations nationwide

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The final wave of a major winter storm moved off the East Coast on Sunday, but its impact on air travel continued to ripple across the country, leaving passengers at the Los Angeles International Airport facing widespread cancellations and lengthy delays.

Dozens of flights at LAX were affected Sunday, part of more than 4,400 cancellations nationwide.

Forecasters described the system as one of the most significant snow and ice storms the U.S. has experienced in years, sweeping across the South, Midwest and East Coast.

Thousands of travelers attempting to board flights were left in limbo after snow, sleet and ice shut down operations at several major airports.

"We don't have any idea what's going on, because every time they're updating us, it's gonna be like for one more hour or two hours or something like that," said Abdallah Aboujabal, whose mother was attempting to travel.

Rheigna Granpil, whose flight was delayed, said conditions in other cities raised concerns.

"Since I saw how much snow was in Chicago right now, I have a fear of like, you know, we're not able to land when we're just stuck in another place like New Jersey and we can't get back home," she said.

According to Cirium data, Sunday saw one of the largest numbers of canceled flights since the pandemic, with more than 11,400 cancellations nationwide.

The storm has canceled more than 20,000 flights since Friday.

At airports in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, 80% to 95% of flights were grounded, with hubs in Dallas, Atlanta and Charlotte also experienced major disruptions.

"It's not safe for sure so that's why I don't want [my mother] to go, but she wants to go and see my sister," Aboujabal said.

Travelers were left scrambling to adjust plans.

"My parents have to catch a flight tomorrow, and I have school and everything, so I'm not sure what's gonna happen. We just have to wait and see," Granpil said.

Aviation logistics experts say it may take days to rebook passengers displaced by the storm's extensive impact on airline schedules. For those traveling by road, clearing icy conditions may take even longer.

Some passengers worried not just about travel, but about family members living in the storm's path.

"I'm praying for my family, who have no power in Tennessee. I hope their power comes back on," traveler Vickie Cerrito said.