Travelers Face Turbulence Amid Weather, War, and Labor Woes

Storms, conflicts, and staffing shortages disrupt air travel as costs rise.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 4:10am

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Passengers are facing a perfect storm of challenges when it comes to air travel, with weather, war, and labor issues all contributing to delays, cancellations, and higher fares. Storms have caused major disruptions on the East Coast and in Hawaii, while the new U.S. war with Iran has closed off airspace and hubs in the Middle East. A partial government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security has also led to TSA staffing shortages at some airports. On top of that, the rising cost of jet fuel is driving up airfares, prompting travelers to book summer trips earlier than usual.

Why it matters

These compounding factors are creating a highly volatile and unpredictable environment for air travel, making it increasingly difficult for passengers to plan and execute their trips. The situation highlights the many variables that can impact the airline industry and the importance of travelers staying vigilant and flexible in the face of rapidly changing conditions.

The details

Storms have caused major delays and cancellations on the East Coast and in Hawaii, while the new war with Iran has closed off airspace and hubs in the Middle East. A partial government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security has also led to TSA staffing shortages at some airports, with travelers in Atlanta waiting up to two hours to get through security. On top of that, the rising cost of jet fuel, up 65% according to industry analysts, is driving up airfares, prompting travelers to book summer trips earlier than usual.

  • This winter has been a tough one for weather-related delays and cancellations.
  • In March 2026, a big storm in Hawaii led to flight delays and cancellations.
  • Earlier this month, the benchmark fare from Anchorage to Seattle was $277 round-trip. Today, the same flights cost at least $337 round-trip in basic economy.

The players

Henry Harteveldt

A travel industry analyst with Atmosphere Research.

American, United and Delta

Larger airlines that may be better-insulated against the higher cost of jet fuel due to their strong co-branded credit card programs.

Alaska Airlines

A smaller airline that still received more than $1.7 billion in commissions from Bank of America last year.

SAS Scandinavian Airlines

An airline that announced it was cutting 1,000 flights from its spring schedule due to the higher cost of jet fuel.

Air New Zealand

An airline that is canceling around 1,100 flights between now and May due to the higher cost of jet fuel.

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What they’re saying

“TSA agents are pawns in the funding dispute over DHS. This is completely regrettable, since every person who buys a ticket pays a fee to DHS for security.”

— Henry Harteveldt, Travel industry analyst

“Passengers are front-loading their summer travel plans.”

— Henry Harteveldt, Travel industry analyst

“Travelers need to constantly double-check their reservations to confirm the airline continues to operate at the scheduled date and time.”

— Henry Harteveldt, Travel industry analyst

“Between the TSA issues and the higher cost of flying, it's not a great time to be an airline passenger.”

— Henry Harteveldt, Travel industry analyst

What’s next

Travelers may consider purchasing travel insurance and registering with the U.S. State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to stay informed of any changes or emergencies at their destination.

The takeaway

The confluence of weather, war, and labor issues is creating a perfect storm for air travelers, underscoring the need to remain vigilant and flexible when planning and executing trips. Travelers should be prepared for potential delays, cancellations, and higher fares, and take proactive steps to protect themselves, such as purchasing travel insurance and staying informed of the latest developments.