Emirates Cancels Dubai-New York Flights Amid Severe US Snowstorm

Emirates Disrupts US Operations Due to Nor'easter

Emirates airline has announced the cancellation of several flights connecting Dubai International Airport (DXB) with New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), as well as other US destinations, between February 22 and February 24, 2026. The decision was made in response to a severe snowstorm, identified as a Nor'easter, that has brought anticipated heavy snowfall and strong winds to the US East Coast.

The anticipated weather conditions, which included forecasts of up to 24 inches of snow in some areas, prompted the airline to prioritize passenger and crew safety. This disruption extended beyond New York, affecting Emirates' operations to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), as well as connecting flights via Milan and Athens.

Affected Flights and Rescheduling Efforts

A number of specific flights were impacted by the cancellations and rescheduling:

• EK203 from Dubai to New York (JFK) on February 22 and February 23 was canceled.
• EK204 from New York (JFK) to Dubai on February 23 and February 24 was canceled.
• EK201 from Dubai to New York (JFK) on February 23 was canceled.
• EK202 from New York (JFK) to Dubai on February 24 was canceled.

In an effort to mitigate the impact, some flights were rescheduled. For instance, Flight EK202, originally scheduled for February 23, departed from New York (JFK) at 6:00 p.m. local time on February 22, arriving in Dubai at 3:25 p.m. local time on February 23. Similarly, Flight EK201 on February 23 was rescheduled to depart Dubai at 2:30 p.m. local time, arriving in New York (JFK) at 7:55 p.m. local time on the same day.

Passenger Guidance and Broader Impact

Emirates issued advisories to affected passengers, urging them to regularly check their flight status and ensure their contact details were updated through the 'Manage Your Booking' service to receive the latest notifications. The airline also advised customers who booked directly to contact Emirates for assistance, while those who booked through travel agents were directed to their respective agencies for rebooking options. Passengers with connecting flights through Dubai to the affected US destinations were informed that they would not be accepted for travel at their point of origin.

The severe weather conditions also led to similar disruptions for other airlines, with Etihad Airways also canceling and rescheduling several flights to and from New York and Boston during the same period. Emirates expressed its apologies for any inconvenience caused and stated that it continues to monitor the situation closely.