Topline
As a large winter storm prepares to dump snow and sleet across the Midwest and Northeast this week, airlines are allowing some travelers to rebook their flights without incurring a fee.
The National Weather Service is forecasting a winter storm that will dump snow and sleet across much ... [+]
Key Facts
Delta Air Lines has a travel advisory covering 29 airports across the Central and Eastern U.S. for travel Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 5 and 6.
American Airlines has two travel alerts—one covering three Midwestern airports for travel Wednesday, Feb. 5, and a second advisory covering 20 airports in the Northeast for travel Thursday, Feb. 6.
United Airlines also has two advisories—the first covering two airports in the Midwest for travel Wednesday, Feb. 5, and a second advisory covering 16 airports in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast for travel Thursday, Feb. 6.
JetBlue Airways has issued a travel alert covering 16 airports across the Mid-Atlantic and New England for travel Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 5 and 6.
Southwest Airlines has issued a travel advisory covering 15 airports in the Midwest and Northeast for travel Thursday, Feb. 6.
Spirit Airlines has a travel advisory covering nine airports in the Midwest and Northeast for travel through Thursday, Feb. 6.
Key Background
Winter Storm Freya, whose path will stretch from the Midwest and Great Lakes region through the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, will bring “a rather widespread swath” of heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain on Wednesday and Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. Major U.S. airlines are issuing travel waivers allowing passengers flying in or out of impacted airports to rebook without paying the fare difference. For consumers looking to change travel plans or recoup travel expenses, much will depend upon the airline, itinerary and, in some cases, whether a travel insurance policy was purchased.
What To Watch For
Travelers ticketed to fly Wednesday and Thursday may encounter flight delays and cancellations, even if they are not traveling through areas impacted by the storm. Flights in late afternoon are more likely to be disrupted. Travelers ticketed to fly Wednesday and Thursday may encounter flight delays and cancellations, even if they are not traveling through areas impacted by the storm. Flights in late afternoon are more likely to be disrupted.
Tangent
Most flight disruptions in the U.S. are weather-related. Winter Storm Blair disrupted more than 22,000 flights over a two-day period in early January. And a historic nor’easter in January 2022 resulted in more than 5,000 canceled flights and $35 million in losses for U.S. airlines.
Further Reading
5 Essential Apps When You’re Facing Flight Delays Or Cancellations (Forbes)
Southwest Was The Least Likely Airline To Cancel Your Flight In 2024 (Forbes)
