Thousands Stranded at Southwest Florida International Airport as Winter Storm Causes Major Travel Chaos

February 23, 2026 — Fort Myers, FL — A powerful winter storm sweeping the northeastern United States has triggered widespread flight disruptions that are now being felt far beyond snowy states — with thousands of travelers stuck at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) and airports nationwide.

Though Southwest Florida is enjoying clear and mild weather locally, the storm’s ripple effects have hammered the nation’s aviation system. As flights in and out of major northeastern hubs grind to a halt under heavy snow and high winds, airlines have canceled and delayed thousands of flights throughout the U.S. — stranding passengers as far south as Florida.

At RSW, which normally handles a steady flow of winter tourists and snowbirds, roughly 90 flights were canceled and more than a dozen delayed as airline operations struggled to cope with aircraft and crew shortages caused by the storm’s cascading impact. With outbound flights scrapped and rebooking options limited, many passengers reported long waits in the terminal, exhausted families sprawled across seating areas, and mounting frustration over uncertain travel plans.

“I’ve been here since early this morning,” said one traveler who had originally planned to fly north. “We were told the flight was canceled just hours before departure, and now there’s nothing available until later in the week.”

Passengers described long lines at airline counters and limited staff as carriers worked to reorganize flight schedules and reposition aircraft. Airline representatives encouraged customers to check flight status frequently and use online tools to rebook where possible.

Nationwide, more than 5,500 U.S. flights were canceled and hundreds more delayed as the storm paralyzed air traffic in major hubs such as New York, Boston, and Philadelphia. This widespread disruption created a domino effect on smaller airports like RSW, which depend heavily on connections through storm-impacted cities.

Airport officials said operations at RSW itself remain open and fully staffed, as local weather conditions are not contributing to the disruption. However, the backlog of canceled flights means travelers face unpredictable departure times and limited alternative options.

Airlines have issued travel waivers allowing passengers to change flights without additional fees, but availability remains tight due to the scale of the disruption. Transportation officials are urging patience and preparedness, advising affected travelers to secure accommodations or alternative plans as the aviation network works to recover.

For many stranded in Fort Myers, the winter storm’s impact serves as a reminder that even sunshine can’t shield Southwest Florida from turbulence happening hundreds of miles away.