Travel chaos as major US airports ground flights for HOURS

Travelers are facing significant disruptions on Monday as flights at major US airports are delayed due to severe weather. 

Departures to LaGuardia (LGA) Airport in New York are averaging disruption of over three hours, with some flights held for nearly six, as heavy rain and strong winds from the nor'easter sweep the East Coast. 

At Boston Logan Airport (BOS), ground delays average three hours and 42 minutes, with some flights delayed as much as six hours and 33 minutes, largely due to runway construction and gusty winds. 

John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is reporting average departure delays of 15 minutes, which are expected to increase due to a Traffic Management program that spaces planes to manage high traffic volumes safely. 

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) has average delays of 88 minutes due to wind, along with a separate 15-minute delay caused by low cloud ceilings affecting all contiguous U.S. departures. 

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is seeing delays up to 43 minutes as of 10.50am ET. 

Flight delays have been rising all morning, with nearly 1,300 flights delayed and about 120 cancellations reported as of 9.40am ET, according to FlightAware. Most disruptions are concentrated along the East Coast. 

Delays at BOS are compounded by runway and taxiway construction, as well as low clouds and gusty winds. 

The FAA's delay program, issued at 8.30am ET, is expected to continue until 12.59am ET Tuesday. 

A spokesman from the Massachusetts Port Authority said that weather is the main issue causing delays and cancellations, adding that 'we have not seen any new issues or an increase in callouts at this time at Logan.' 

Flights to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) are averaging 50 minutes in delays due to low cloud ceilings, affecting departures from dozens of US air traffic centers, including Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, New York and Washington, DC. 

The delay program at LGA, effective from 10.36am ET Monday through 2.59am ET Tuesday, affects all departures from the contiguous US as well as Canadian airports, including Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City. 

Airlines are urging passengers to check with carriers for updated departure times, as delays could ripple throughout the day. 

Millions of Americans in New Jersey and New York remain under a state of emergency as gusts of up to 45 mph and heavy rainfall continue through Monday evening. 

Forecasters on Monday warned that major coastal flooding was likely in the mid-Atlantic, particularly from Virginia to New Jersey, with strong onshore winds, high surf and high tides. 

Coastal flooding was expected to peak Monday afternoon and improve gradually into Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

A nor'easter churned its way up the East Coast over the weekend, washing out roads and prompting air travel delays. 

Dangerous surf conditions were expected to continue today, bringing strong rip currents and beach erosion along many East Coast beaches, the NWS said. 

Wind gusts in excess of 55mph remained possible along New Jersey, Long Island and southern New England through Monday afternoon.

New Jersey was under a state of emergency starting Saturday night. New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued an emergency declaration for eight southern counties in her state as the storm gained strength Sunday evening. 

She urged people to monitor forecasts and avoid travel. The Columbus Day Parade in New York City was canceled.