Air travel across the United States was thrown into disarray as more than 200 flights were canceled and over 2,700 delayed, stranding thousands of passengers.

The disruptions, concentrated in Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Miami, followed a major technical failure that crippled air traffic control systems.

American Airlines, SkyWest, and United were among the hardest-hit carriers, with Dallas–Fort Worth International recording the most cancellations.

Chicago O’Hare, Los Angeles International, and Miami International also reported significant delays, forcing travelers to seek alternate flights or accommodations.

The breakdown originated in Dallas, where a system failure disrupted air traffic communications and triggered cascading delays nationwide.

The crisis comes as the federal government moves forward with a $31 billion modernization plan to upgrade radar systems, boost staffing, and strengthen infrastructure in an effort to prevent future breakdowns.

The breakdown comes as Washington prepares a $31 billion overhaul of the nation’s air traffic control system, aimed at upgrading radar, boosting staffing, and modernizing infrastructure to prevent future crises.

Industry watchers caution that knock-on delays may persist for several days, with airlines advising passengers to check schedules frequently as recovery efforts continue.