United Airlines has cancelled over 12,000 flights due to Winter Storm Fern, which is poised to affect travel for more than 180 million Americans. As United balances its strong 2026 earnings projections and record profits with worries about geopolitical tensions, including a US military incursion in Venezuela, Delta Airlines stands out with a record $4.6 billion in free cash flow, demonstrating the mixed outlook within the airline sector amidst these challenges.