Major Flight Cancellations Sweep Europe & US: Finnair, KLM, SAS Leave Thousands Stranded

In August 2025, travelers across Europe and the United States face major disruption as leading airlines Finnair, KLM, and SAS have cancelled and delayed numerous flights, leaving passengers stranded in countries including the Netherlands, UK, Finland, Poland, Switzerland, and major US hubs.

KLM has canceled at least 5 flights and delayed 11 others, targeting key routes connecting Amsterdam with destinations in the UK, Switzerland, and the US, largely due to adverse weather in the Northeastern US and operational challenges. Finnair has seen its own waves of cancellations, including 100 flights scrapped during strikes at Helsinki Airport in July, as well as schedule changes and technical updates impacting summer 2025 operations. SAS has been similarly affected by operational issues, causing ripple effects for Scandinavian and transatlantic flights.
The main drivers behind this wave of disruptions include industrial action, severe weather, IT and technical failures, security-related airspace closures, and airport congestion. Affected passengers have encountered missed connections, lengthy delays, limited alternate options, and challenges in rebooking amid one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.

Key Points:

• Major cancellations and delays by Finnair, KLM, and SAS are impacting travel across Europe and US routes.
• Causes range from industrial action (strikes), severe weather, technical problems, and operational bottlenecks.
• Cities affected include Helsinki, Amsterdam, London, New York, Warsaw, Zurich, and others.
• Airlines are offering free rebooking, travel vouchers, or full refunds; passengers face frustration due to scarce alternatives and crowded terminals.
• Disruption highlights vulnerability of major carriers—and travelers—to compounding risks during peak travel periods.