FBI agents and airport police worked together to investigate after an unspecified threat caused officials to evacuate sections of Kansas City International Airport in Missouri on Sunday morning.
According to multiple <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/03/08/us-news/kansas-city-international-airport-evacuated-over-threat-as-fbi-cops-swarm-terminal/">reports</a>, hundreds of passengers were evacuated onto the tarmac as investigators closed one terminal, out of &#8220;an abundance of caution,&#8221; and diverted several flights, leaving others — who landed after the threat was received — stranded on the taxiway until they were given the all-clear.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🚨 BREAKING: Kansas City International Airport is being EVACUATED of all travelers and workers due to a “SERIOUS INCIDENT”
Initial reports are of a credible bomb threat to the airport.
All planes have been halted and a sweep is underway <a href="https://t.co/QOZWFSa8bL">pic.twitter.com/QOZWFSa8bL</a>
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) <a href="https://twitter.com/nicksortor/status/2030700520403247258?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The threat, according to reports, came in at 11:50 a.m. local time and prompted an immediate and complete evacuation of the terminal. Flights did not resume until after 2 p.m. In the interim, airport police and FBI agents conducted sweeps of the terminal.
Passenger Logan Hawley told <a href="https://www.kshb.com/news/crime/kc-aviation-department-aware-of-situation-at-kansas-city-international-airport">reporters</a> that he had been preparing to board a flight to Texas when law enforcement swarmed the terminal: &#8220;Suddenly there was an airport worker saying ‘immediately evacuate,’ people got up fast and rushed out of there.&#8221;
Highway traffic near the airport also faced delays as the Missouri Department of Transportation confirmed temporary road closures at Interstate 29 northbound to Interstate 435 eastbound and the KCI exit ramp.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the all-clear shortly after 2 p.m. CST, <a href="https://x.com/SecDuffy/status/2030723386511425750">posting</a> on X that the airport would be returning to business as usual. He did not give any details as to the nature of the threat or its resolution.
&#8220;The security incident at @Fly_KansasCity is now clear and normal operations are resuming,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I want to thank law enforcement including the @FBI for their timely response. The safety of passengers, airport staff, and crew members is always our number one priority @FAANews.&#8221;

Screenshot courtesy of @NickSortor

Bomb Threat Triggers Shutdown At Major U.S. Airport, Forces Passengers Onto Tarmac

Air Travel

bombing

Kansas City

A Southwest Airlines flight traveling from Nashville to Fort Lauderdale diverted to Atlanta on Friday night after a possible security concern.
Footage from the incident shows passengers inside the plane seated with their heads down and hands up as Atlanta Police travel to the back of the plane. A man is then removed from his seat and placed into handcuffs.
The pilot and flight attendants can be heard repeatedly saying &#8220;heads down, hands up&#8221; as passengers comply.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
✈️ Shocking video: plane in the U.S. makes emergency landing over security threat on board
Atlanta — A Southwest Airlines flight from Nashville to Fort Lauderdale was forced to divert and land in Atlanta late Friday night due to a reported security threat, authorities said.… <a href="https://t.co/PJDCbRfQBi">pic.twitter.com/PJDCbRfQBi</a>
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) <a href="https://twitter.com/nexta_tv/status/2030306044446900587?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Flight tracking software from FlightAware shows the plane landed safely at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport at about 9 p.m. WSB-TV 2 reports the Federal Bureau of Investigation determined there was no credible threat.
Southwest told 11Alive, &#8220;Southwest Airlines Flight 2094 landed safely at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) Friday evening after diverting to respond to a possible security matter. We appreciate the professionalism of our Flight Crew and apologize to our Customers for the delay. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of its Customers and Employees.&#8221;
The Daily Wire has reached out to the Atlanta Police Department and the FBI for comment.
The incident comes as the United States is on high alert following the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.
In the immediate aftermath of the strikes, Ndiaga Diagne, a Senegalese man wearing an Iranian flag shirt underneath a hoodie with the phrase “Property of Allah” emblazoned on it, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/austin-shooters-iran-linked-attire-becomes-central-focus-in-terror-probe">opened fire</a> in Austin, Texas, killing three and injuring 14.
Authorities have not yet definitively linked the terror attack to the Iran strikes.
Jake Braun, a former senior counselor to the Secretary of Homeland Security, recently <a href="https://abc7chicago.com/post/federal-agencies-us-cities-alert-potential-retaliatory-attacks-amid-israel-iran-war-conflict-no-specific-threats-il/18669574/">spoke</a> with ABC7, a Chicago affiliate, about the risk of homeland attacks, both cyber and physical, noting that multiple targets are potentially vulnerable.
An Iranian ayatollah called on Thursday for President Trump&#8217;s blood to be shed during a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/iranian-ayatollah-calls-for-the-shedding-trumps-blood">message</a> on Iranian state TV.
“We are now on the verge of a great test and we must be careful to fully preserve this unity, to fully preserve this alliance,” said Ayatollah Abdollah Javadi Amoli in the message, <a href="https://apnews.com/live/iran-war-israel-trump-lebanon-march-05-2026#0000019c-bcd4-d21d-a1dc-fefd3c7e0000">going on</a> to call for “the shedding of Zionist blood, the shedding of Trump’s blood.”
Invoking the &#8220;Imam of the time,&#8221; Amoli said, &#8220;Fight the oppressive America, his blood is on my shoulders.”
In a separate development on Thursday, another Iranian official <a href="https://x.com/araghchi/status/2029435610922996100?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">threatened</a> the United States following the sinking of an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka by a U.S. naval torpedo strike.
&#8220;The U.S. has perpetrated an atrocity at sea, 2,000 miles away from Iran&#8217;s shores. Frigate Dena, a guest of India&#8217;s Navy carrying almost 130 sailors, was struck in international waters without warning. Mark my words: The U.S. will come to bitterly regret the precedent it has set,&#8221; said Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.
This is a developing story; check back for updates.
Leif Le Mahiew contributed to this report.

Southwest

Stunning Video Shows Police Raiding Southwest Flight After Security Threat

Atlanta

General

Southwest Airlines

U.S.

United Airlines is getting a lot of support from fed-up flyers for its new policy, which would require passengers to use their devices with headphones or risk being permanently banned from the airline. 
The new rule was added to United’s contract of carriage terms under its “refusal to transport” section in late February. At the time, the airline didn’t draw attention to the small tweak, but CBS News <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/united-airlines-remove-passengers-who-dont-wear-headphones/">reported</a> on the change earlier this week. 
United&#8217;s new rules say they may &#8220;refuse transport, on a permanent basis&#8221; any passengers who &#8220;fail to use headphones while listening to audio or video content.” 
The airline had already been encouraging headphone use for passengers. &#8220;Don&#8217;t worry if you forget your headphones for your flight. If they&#8217;re available, you can request free earbuds,&#8221; it says on the official <a href="https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/inflight/inflight-entertainment.html">website</a>.
A spokesperson for United confirmed the change, <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/03/04/lifestyle/united-airlines-updates-contract-of-carriage-rules-to-force-flyers-to-use-headphone-when-using-devices/">per</a> NY Post. “We’ve always encouraged customers to use headphones when listening to audio content — and our Wi-Fi rules already remind customers to use headphones,” the spokesperson said. “With the expansion of Starlink, it seemed like a good time to make that even clearer by adding it to the contract of carriage.”
The policy change was popular among social media users, with many questioning why the practice wasn’t standard across the airline industry.
“If anyone around you can hear any noise coming out of your phone, ever at all, you should be arrested and flogged and then thrown into the Pacific,” Daily Wire podcast host Matt Walsh <a href="https://x.com/mattwalshblog/status/2029542961025822966?s=43">observed</a>.
“The inane world we’re living in where we have to make this a RULE instead of accepting it as common sense and a courtesy to other humans…,” a second person <a href="https://x.com/BroadsideBrief/status/2029555092177727871">agreed</a>.
“I don&#8217;t get it,” a third person chimed in. “Why do people actually feel the need to use speakers? I never did and never will. Don&#8217;t they know how disturbing it is? I see many people using speakers while talking on the phone like they are the only person in this world.”
Travel expert Scott Keyes told CBS News that only a small minority of travelers violate this standard of decorum, but the comments prove that the policy was needed.
&#8220;This is in line with how the vast majority of travelers comport themselves and would like others to comport themselves,&#8221; he told the outlet. &#8220;It&#8217;s usually only a small number of folks on airplanes who are making noise by not using headphones, so this is a graceful way to handle those folks.&#8221;

Airplane headphones

United Airlines Threatens To Ban Passengers Who Make Noisy Faux Pas

Airlines

Transportation

United Airlines

Tampa International Airport announced a total ban on pajamas in an X post on Thursday, saying that they had &#8220;seen enough&#8221; and calling on travelers who came through the western Florida hub to dress like it was daytime.
Citing a previous successful ban on Crocs, the statement said that it was finally time to tackle the &#8220;much larger crisis&#8221; of travelers who move through the airport dressed like they were headed to the refrigerator for a late-night snack.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://t.co/mjHyM5KZkG">pic.twitter.com/mjHyM5KZkG</a>
— Tampa International Airport ✈️ (@FlyTPA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FlyTPA/status/2027037182091731286?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;We&#8217;ve seen enough. We&#8217;ve had enough,&#8221; the announcement read. &#8220;It&#8217;s time to ban pajamas at Tampa International Airport. After successfully banning Crocs and giving everyone the amazing opportunity to experience the world&#8217;s first Crocs-free airport, it&#8217;s time to take on a much larger crisis. Pajamas. At. The Airport. In the middle of the day.&#8221;
&#8220;We know this decision could be disruptive to someone in your life. It&#8217;s time to have a difficult conversation with them. You can do this. We (and Phoebe) believe in you,&#8221; the statement continued, referencing the airport&#8217;s giant pink flamingo statue named Phoebe. &#8220;The madness stops today. The movement starts now. Help Tampa International Airport become the world&#8217;s first Crocs-free AND pajama-free airport. DO YOUR PART. SAY NO TO PAJAMAS AT TPA.&#8221;
The announcement certainly made a splash on X, but was it real? The @FLYTPA account has a reputation for posts that lean into the silly and fun.
On December 26, for example, a post read, &#8220;Happy National Pretend to Work Day™ to all who celebrate!!!&#8221;
On January 5, another read, &#8220;Did you know??? The Tampa Airport gets its name from Tampa, Florida, the city where the airport is located.&#8221;
&#8220;Good afternoon to everyone except the person who left their freezer open,&#8221; a post read as frigid winter weather stretched across the southern United States in late January.
&#8220;GOOD MORNING FROM ANTARCTICA,&#8221; was the follow-up post a few days later.
Social media manager C.J. Johnson said the silliness was <a href="https://people.com/did-the-tampa-airport-really-ban-pajamas-11915218">all part of his strategy</a> during a speech at the University of South Florida: &#8220;If I got on every day at Tampa International Airport and tweeted we have flights today, who would care? No one. If we do funny silly stuff like this with targeted messages that grow your audience and then I say, ‘Hey guys, by the way, we are closing the airport due to a hurricane,’ then people lean in and listen.&#8221;

Measures taken in Florida for Hurricane Elsa

Florida Airport Slaps Blanket Ban On Traveling Staple: ‘The Madness Stops Today!’

Florida Airport Slaps Blanket Ban On Traveler Staple: 'The Madness Stops Today!'

airport

Florida

Sean Duffy

[UPDATE]: The Transportation Security Administration announced that TSA PreCheck will remain open. In a statement, TSA <a href="https://abc7ny.com/post/tsa-says-precheck-operational-previous-announcement-suspension-amid-partial-government-shutdown/18634978/">said</a>: “As staffing constraints arise, TSA will evaluate on a case by case basis and adjust operations accordingly.”
[ORIGINAL STORY]
The more than 20 million Americans who pay for expedited airport security with TSA PreCheck will be stuck with everyone else as long as the government shutdown continues.
The partial government shutdown has resulted in the temporary suspension of both the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck and Global Entry security programs – a move Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said was designed to prioritize the general pool of travelers.
“Shutdowns have serious real world consequences,&#8221; <a href="https://apnews.com/article/homeland-security-tsa-precheck-global-entry-dc1d2ccd913a74fa2c8b91dad340a3b3">Noem said</a>, adding, &#8220;TSA and CBP are prioritizing the general traveling population at our airports and ports of entry and suspending courtesy and special privilege escorts.”
The two programs work in tandem to speed up security lines for departing travelers. TSA PreCheck allows registered travelers to check in for flights more quickly. Pre-approved travelers are not required to remove electronics from their bags, and security lines often move through in ten minutes or less.
For arriving travelers, the Global Entry program allows them to use an automated kiosk equipped with facial recognition software to avoid the long customs lines and complete passport verification. It is designed to eliminate the need to stand in long customs lines when returning to the United States from abroad. Travelers who pay for the Global Entry program also receive the benefits offered to TSA PreCheck members.
Democrats on the Homeland Security Committee released a statement claiming that the suspension of those programs was entirely political and accused DHS of intentionally punishing travelers.
&#8220;TRUMP’S DHS IS PUNISHING TRAVELERS.   TSA PreCheck and Global Entry reduce lines and ease the burden on DHS staff [sic]  But Kristi Noem and her &#8216;confidant&#8217; Corey Lewandowski are kneecapping the programs that make travel smoother and secure  . They’re ruining your travel on purpose,&#8221; the <a href="https://x.com/HomelandDems/status/2025420989178257425">statement</a> posted to X read.
TSA released a <a href="https://x.com/TSA/status/2022067729503858905">similar statement</a> at the start of the shutdown, blaming Democrats for leveraging the TSA in their efforts to force President Donald Trump&#8217;s administration into making changes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
&#8220;The government shutdown will cease pay for all of TSA’s more than 63,000-person workforce and suspend non-essential services. Over 99% of that workforce resides in communities across the country,&#8221; Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator Adam Stahl said in a statement. &#8220;Democrats should fund the department and stop punishing our workforce and the everyday travelers they serve. A prolonged shutdown could result in significant attrition and increased callout rates of our officers including noticeable impacts at airports, including delays, longer wait times and cancelled flights.&#8221;

TSA Seizes Record Number Of Guns in 2015

Government Shutdown Hits Travelers: Global Entry Suspended, PreCheck Still Operational

Government Shutdown

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Politics

The Department of Homeland Security will experience a lapse in funding starting at midnight, which will have the most impact on agencies under the DHS umbrella, such as TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard – and it may have a slight impact on American travelers.
Former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, who currently serves as the president and CEO of Airlines for America, told The Daily Wire that he believes this shutdown will not have as drastic of an impact on air travel as the one in the fall, as air traffic controllers are already funded as part of the rest of the government spending package already approved earlier this month.
“This one&#8217;s very different than the first. First, air traffic controllers are paid. They’ve been funded through the first appropriations bill a couple of weeks ago. That was the big linchpin concern for us in the first one,” Sununu said, noting how the system had to “slow” down for safety reasons due to a high number of callouts during the 43-day shutdown last year, saying this now mostly centers on TSA and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
“No one&#8217;s going to get an empty paycheck or anything like that, at least until maybe a half paycheck at the end of the month, empty paycheck into March, because the conversations are actually happening between Democrats and the White House, that really wasn&#8217;t happening back in October,” he noted, saying that he’s “very optimistic that they are going to work this thing out.”
For those traveling, he recommends that people “keep an eye” on their upcoming flight plans, especially with Presidents Day on Monday.
“So give yourself a little extra time because it is a holiday week, but right now we don&#8217;t anticipate any significant delays,” Sununu said. “And if there are, the good news is the technology’s there and the public information is there so folks can be given a heads up if they need to give themselves a little more time.”
The former governor did encourage Congress to “find the middle ground” and “stop holding the American people hostage over political disputes,” noting proposed legislation floating that would keep TSA agents and air traffic controllers paid through shutdowns to minimize disruptions for Americans.
Although the department’s shutdown has centered on a push for federal immigration enforcement reforms, much of the funding needed for ICE’s deportation efforts was already secured through the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” signed by President Donald Trump in July.
Congress is scheduled to be on recess for the next week as negotiations have moved at a fairly slow pace on Capitol Hill to figure out funding for DHS before the continuing resolution expires on Friday. Democrats have put forth a list of demands for federal immigration enforcement reforms, and the White House has made a counterproposal with few known public details yet.
Meanwhile, some lawmakers of both political parties have flown off to the Munich Security Conference in Germany, although fewer House members were able to go, given that an official taxpayer-funded congressional delegation is unable to occur with the shutdown, according to <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/12/gop-munich-security-conference-shutdown-00779083" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Politico</a>.
“That&#8217;s a little frustrating in itself,” Sununu said. “I mean, look, as a former governor … there are times you can&#8217;t find that middle ground in time, and this is one of them, but you don&#8217;t leave the city. You don&#8217;t leave the country.”
“You can go into your own corners and kind of maybe take a breath, but I don&#8217;t know about this whole everyone running off to Europe thing,” he added, saying that he hopes they will find a compromise on DHS funding when they return.

Travelers At Detroit Metro Airport As TSA Experiences Staff Shortages

Could The Homeland Security Shutdown Impact Your Travel Plans?

Congress

Department of Homeland Security

Immigration

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) trolled Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) over the high-speed rail project that has been steadily rising in cost despite showing little progress over the course of nearly two decades.
Newsom jabbed at the TSA first, boasting in a press conference that nearly 11 years after the project&#8217;s 2015 ground-breaking, 463 miles of the planned route were finally ready for construction to begin — and saying that eventually, passengers on his high-speed rail would not have to suffer the indignity of removing their shoes to travel.
&#8220;While Texas canceled its project, California keeps building,&#8221; Newsom&#8217;s Press Office posted, neglecting to mention the fact that while Texas had canceled due to skyrocketing costs, California had simply opted to pass the added cost on to investors and depend on government grants. &#8220;463 miles are now ready for construction. We’re past the hardest part, and we’re finishing the job.&#8221;
&#8220;High-speed rail means no TSA lines, no removing your shoes — just fast, clean travel,&#8221; the post read.
The TSA pointed out that airline passengers had not been required to remove their shoes while passing through airport security since July of 2025 — and noted that while getting 463 miles of planned route ready for construction was certainly an accomplishment, the trains were not yet ready to leave the station.
&#8220;Congratulations Gov. Newsom! 463 miles &#8216;ready for construction,&#8217; maybe someday it will join the 20,000+ miles of passenger rail we already secure,&#8221; the TSA&#8217;s post read. &#8220;Meanwhile, Americans, who don&#8217;t fly private jets, have kept their shoes on at TSA checkpoints since July. Enjoy your next flight!&#8221;
The California high-speed rail project, touted by then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) and originally approved in 2008, has long been viewed as a boondoggle of astronomical proportions. The initial budget was estimated at $33 billion, and was supposed to be completed by 2020. Initial passenger service was scheduled to begin in 2022.
Instead, over the course of 18 years, the price tag has ballooned to more than $135 billion and the ground along the proposed route is only just now &#8220;ready&#8221; for construction to begin. Passenger service has been delayed until sometime between 2030 and 2033.
In July of 2017, President Donald Trump announced that his administration was terminating some $4 billion in federal funding for the project: &#8220;To the law-abiding, tax-paying, hardworking citizens of the United States of America, I am thrilled to announce that I have officially freed you from funding California’s disastrously overpriced, ‘HIGH SPEED TRAIN TO NOWHERE.'&#8221;

California Governor Gavin Newsom Interview

TSA Trolls Gavin Newsom Over California’s High Speed Rail Money Pit

California

Gavin Newsom

High Speed rail

Train

Some 9,000 flights set for this weekend have already been canceled in anticipation of Winter Storm Ferm.
The storm, which meteorologists say could cause as much damage as a hurricane, will likely knock out power and impede travel both in the sky and on the roads for millions.
Currently, there are about 140 million Americans under a winter storm warning, ranging from New Mexico to New England.
The Weather Channel, though, <a href="https://weather.com/news/weather/news/2026-01-24-live-updates-winter-storm-fern-january-24?cm_ven=dnt_social_twitter">says</a> that ultimately 230 million people could be affected by Winter Storm Fern. More than a dozen states have already issued states of emergency, it noted.
&#8220;Take this storm seriously, folks,&#8221; the National Weather Service posted to X on Saturday. &#8220;Moderate to major impacts are expected from the Central US through to the Northeast today through the weekend.&#8221;
The NWS said to expect &#8220;hazardous to impossible driving conditions&#8221; and urged folks in affected areas to &#8220;avoid travel if at all possible.&#8221;
&#8220;Widespread closures and disruption to infrastructure may also occur,&#8221; it added. &#8220;Stay weather aware.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Take this storm seriously, folks.
Moderate to major impacts are expected from the Central US through to the Northeast today through the weekend. 
&#8211; Hazardous to impossible driving conditions are expected. Avoid travel if at all possible. 
&#8211; Widespread closures and disruption to… <a href="https://t.co/bR76NpsrEy">pic.twitter.com/bR76NpsrEy</a>
— National Weather Service (@NWS) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWS/status/2014828034075803679?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2026</a></blockquote>
The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore told <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/americas-favorite-meteorologist-breaks-down-this-weekends-wild-weather-forecast">The Daily Wire</a> on Friday that much of the country will experience three different types of precipitation from the storm: snow, sleet, and freezing rain.
“In Dallas, they’re gonna have multiple precipitation types,&#8221; he said. &#8220;They’re going to start to snow, maybe go to freezing rain, and then end with the snow again. Nashville starts to snow, sleet, freezing rain, then ends as snow or freezing drizzle. Washington, D.C., starts to snow, heavy snow, goes to sleet, then freezing rain, maybe even a little rain just east of D.C., and then back to cold behind this cold front.”
Ice, though, could be the most dangerous form of precipitation.
“You can have power loss with a 1/4 inch of ice,&#8221; Cantore explained. &#8220;You can get more extensive power loss with a 0.5-inch [of ice]. Severe widespread power loss with 3/4 of an inch, and once you get over one inch of ice, now you’re talking about bringing the lines down and trees down.&#8221;
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/americas-favorite-meteorologist-breaks-down-this-weekends-wild-weather-forecast">America’s Favorite Meteorologist Breaks Down This Weekend’s Wild Weather Forecast</a>

Municipal plow truck plowing snow off roadways in Laconia, New Hampshire USA

Winter Storm Fern: Thousands Of Flights Canceled, Millions Under Alert

Oklahoma

Severe Weather

Snow

Tennessee

Texas

Winter storm

Delta Air Lines on Friday urged passengers traveling this weekend to reschedule their flights as a major winter storm threatens to disrupt operations and force widespread cancellations.
The storm is disrupting U.S. air travel, prompting airlines to cancel flights, warn of delays and issue travel waivers as ice, snow and strong winds sweep across major hubs and regional airports in the South, East and central part of U.S.
The airline operator said customers should expect flight cancellations across the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, including Nashville and Raleigh–Durham, as the storm threatens to disrupt weekend travel.
Delta Air Lines canceled flights at several airports in five states on Thursday, warning that slow operations could trigger more delays and cancellations, and complicate rebooking during one of the busiest winter travel periods.
About two-thirds of the 815 flights scheduled to depart Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport on Saturday have been canceled, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.
Separately, American Airlines said it would add more than 3,200 extra seats to and from its Dallas–Fort Worth hub from Friday to Sunday.
The National Weather Service warned that a mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow could make travel hazardous and cause power outages and tree damage across the Southeast, with heavier snowfall expected farther north as the storm moves up the country.
Airlines urged passengers to keep a close eye on their flight status and use mobile apps or airline websites for the quickest rebooking options as the storm advances. Travelers have already begun adjusting plans in anticipation of mounting disruption.
(Reporting by Apratim Sarkar in Bengaluru and additional reporting by Doyinsola Oladipo in New York; Editing by Shreya Biswas)

Airplane

Delta Urges Travelers To Rebook As Winter Storm Threatens Weekend Flights

Delta Airlines

Airlines in the United States have canceled or delayed thousands of flights on Friday, according to flight tracking website FlightAware, due to winter storm Devin during peak holiday travel, while some states restricted commercial road traffic in anticipation of snowfall.
A total of 1,802 flights were canceled and 22,349 delayed as of 4:04 p.m. ET, the website said.
The National Weather Service issued warnings of winter storm Devin this afternoon which &#8220;will cause hazardous travel conditions for the Great Lakes into the northern Mid-Atlantic and southern New England today through Saturday morning.&#8221;
&#8220;For areas farther north from upstate New York to the Tri-State area including New York City and Long Island, 4-8 inches of snowfall is forecast for late Friday into (the) night,&#8221; National Weather Service&#8217;s Storm Prediction Center noted on the official website.
New York&#8217;s John F. Kennedy Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, and LaGuardia Airport have put out posts on X, warning travelers of potential delays or cancellations.
More than half of the flight cancellations and delays took place at these three airports, according to FlightAware.
JetBlue Airways has canceled 225 flights, the most among the carriers, closely followed by Delta Air Lines canceling 212 flights.
Republic Airways canceled 157 flights, while 146 were canceled by American Airlines and 97 by United Airlines.
Spokespersons from American Airlines, United Airlines, and JetBlue told Reuters the carriers have waived off change fees for re-booking for travelers whose plans may be affected.
&#8220;Due to winter storm Devin, JetBlue has canceled approximately 350 flights today and tomorrow, primarily in the Northeast where JetBlue has a large operation,&#8221; the JetBlue spokesperson said.
Delta Air Lines and Republic did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.
Ahead of the winter storm, New York and New Jersey declared a state of emergency from Friday afternoon.
&#8220;As widespread snowfall is expected to start in New York City and its surrounding areas this evening, I will declare a State of Emergency to ensure that our agencies and local partners have the resources and tools they need to respond to the storm,&#8221; New York Governor Kathy Hochul said.
New Jersey and Pennsylvania issued commercial vehicle restrictions on some roads, including many interstate highways.
&#8220;This storm will cause dangerous road conditions and impact holiday travel,&#8221; New Jersey&#8217;s acting governor Tahesha Way said in a statement. &#8220;We are urging travelers to avoid travel during the storm and allow crews to tend to the roads.&#8221;
(Reporting by Aatreyee Dasgupta and Abhinav Parmar in Bengaluru and Maria Tsvetkova in New York; Additional reporting by Megavarshini G. Somasundaram in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber and Nick Zieminski)

Airport

U.S. Airlines Cancel Over 1,800 Flights Due To Major Winter Storm

Longtime NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family were among those killed in a plane crash on Thursday morning in Statesville, North Carolina, about 45 miles outside of Charlotte.
Representative Richard Hudson confirmed the news.
&#8220;I am devastated by the loss of Greg, Cristina, and their children, and my heart is with all who loved them,&#8221; Rep. Hudson said.
Biffle&#8217;s close friend, Garrett Mitchell <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AMbpQWYR7/">said</a> the Biffles were flying to visit him when the plane crashed.
&#8220;Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder were on that plane &#8230; because they were on their way to spend the afternoon with us. We are devastated. I&#8217;m so sorry to share this,&#8221; Mitchell said.
Biffle&#8217;s daughter was a teenager, and their son had just turned five.
A source with knowledge of the situation told The Daily Wire there were a total of six passengers on board.
According to airport officials, the Cessna C550 airplane crashed while landing at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DkbX45b4h/">Statesville Regional Airport</a> around 10:15 a.m. <a href="https://x.com/Breaking911/status/2001696669822284016?s=20">Video</a> from witnesses showed the aircraft engulfed in flames near the runway. The crash caused a multi-agency response.
Flight tracking records showed a Cessna C550, registered to GB Aviation Leasing LLC, that took off from Statesville Regional Airport at 10:06 a.m. before turning around shortly after takeoff to head back to the airport. GB Aviation Leasing LLC is a private company linked to Biffle.
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Biffle was a longtime NASCAR driver, becoming one of only three drivers to win the Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series. He was a nominee for the 2025 NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Biffle was known for more than just his skills on the track. He was a humanitarian who helped out greatly when North Carolina was devastated by Hurricane Helene. Biffle used his personal helicopter to take generators, chainsaws, water, and essential supplies needed to those in the impossible-to-reach regions devastated by the storm. He even helped raise more than $60,000 from t-shirt sales for western North Carolina relief efforts.
&#8220;They were friends who lived their lives focused on helping others,&#8221; Rep. Hudson said. &#8220;He was an extraordinary person as well, and will be remembered for his service to others as much as for his fearlessness on the track.
Biffle said he loved anything with gas and wheels — it was evident in his love for aviation.
The private pilot flew out of the Statesville airport often. According to the city of Statesville’s website, the airport is city-owned and provides corporate aviation facilities for Fortune 500 companies and several NASCAR teams.
Airport officials said in a press conference Thursday that the airport is shut down while debris is cleaned up. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the crash. At this time, there is no official cause of the crash.

Credit: Jared Tilton/SRX/Getty Images

NASCAR Driver, Family Dead After Plane Crashes Near Charlotte

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Air traffic <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-floats-plan-to-reward-air-traffic-controllers-who-didnt-take-time-off-due-to-shutdown">controllers</a> and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/noem-hands-out-10000-checks-to-tsa-agents-who-worked-through-shutdown">TSA agents</a> are getting paid again, and the Federal Aviation Administration is confident that it &#8220;is ready to get more than 360,000 flights to their destinations&#8221; for the Thanksgiving travel period. But Americans should be prepared for long lines and crowded terminals as the FAA expects the busiest Thanksgiving travel week since 2010.
Tuesday, November 25, will be the busiest travel day before Thanksgiving, with 52,185 forecasted flights, the FAA <a href="https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-expects-busiest-thanksgiving-travel-period-15-years">said</a> on Friday. Sunday, November 30, will be the busiest travel day after the holiday, with 51,268 forecasted flights. Some storm systems could also affect air travel. Forecasts call for rain in the Northeast, while wind and rain could move into the Great Lakes region and Seattle around Thanksgiving Day, according to the FAA.
A total of 82 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from their homes for the Thanksgiving holiday, which is an increase of 1.6 million travelers compared to last Thanksgiving, according to <a href="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2025/11/aaa-thanksgiving-travel-forecast-2025/">AAA</a>. Seventy-three million Americans are expected to travel by car for the holiday, while six million Americans are expected to travel by air.
The busy travel week comes as the airline industry seeks to get back into a normal rhythm after the record-breaking 43-day government shutdown caused numerous disruptions. On Monday, the FAA lifted its temporary flight restrictions that affected 40 of the busiest airports in the country, and normal operations resumed.
“Thanks to the dedication of our air traffic controllers and every FAA employee, we are ready for the holiday rush and take pride in helping travelers reach their friends and families during this important time of year,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “I am deeply grateful to our entire FAA team. Even through a period of record-high traffic, their unwavering commitment keeps the system running safely.”
<div id="attachment_1004229" style="width: 930px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1004229" class="wp-image-1004229 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/11/Untitled-design-2025-11-21T134817.108-920x576.jpg" alt="" width="920" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/11/Untitled-design-2025-11-21T134817.108-920x576.jpg 920w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/11/Untitled-design-2025-11-21T134817.108-300x188.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/11/Untitled-design-2025-11-21T134817.108-768x481.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/11/Untitled-design-2025-11-21T134817.108.jpg 1078w" sizes=" (max-width: 920px) 100vw, 920px" />FAA</div>
The government shutdown resulted in an air traffic controller shortage as many controllers called in sick to either stay home or look for other work as they missed paychecks. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Thursday that 776 air traffic controllers and technicians who remained on the job and showed up to work every day during the government shutdown received $10,000 bonus checks.
&#8220;President Trump wanted to give air traffic controllers and technicians BONUSES for showing up to work EVERY DAY during the government shutdown… and TODAY IS THE DAY!&#8221; Duffy wrote. &#8220;776 patriotic men and women will get $10K checks, just in time for Christmas. God bless the patriots of our skies!&#8221;
The FAA also kicked off a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/no-more-pajamas-folks-is-it-time-to-dress-to-impress-on-planes-again">new campaign</a> on airport civility this week ahead of the holiday travel season.
“People dress up like they’re going to bed when they fly,” Duffy said. “We want to push people as we come into a really busy travel season, help people out, be in a good mood, dress up.”

Flying For The Holidays? Prepare For The Busiest Thanksgiving Travel Week In 15 Years.

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