Additional Coverage:
- US airlines issue travel waivers, announce cancellations ahead of widespread winter storm (foxbusiness.com)
Winter Storm Threatens to Ground Thousands of Flights Across the U.S.
A significant winter storm is poised to sweep across two dozen states this weekend, bringing with it a dangerous mix of heavy snow, sleet, and ice that is expected to severely disrupt air travel. U.S. airlines have already begun issuing travel waivers as forecasters warn of widespread flight cancellations and treacherous conditions.
Weather experts predict that the storm’s blend of freezing rain, sleet, and snow could lead to hazardous travel, power outages, and tree damage, particularly in parts of the Southeast. Further north, heavier snowfall is anticipated. AccuWeather notes that the approaching cold temperatures are expected to be the most severe in five years.
Dan DePodwin, vice president of forecasting operations at AccuWeather, stated, “This will likely result in thousands of flight cancellations on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.”
The travel booking app Hopper estimates that over 15,000 flights could face delays due to the storm. Notably, there has been a 17% increase in travelers adding “Disruption Assistance” to their upcoming weekend trips, indicating growing concern among passengers.
In response to the impending weather, several major airlines have taken proactive measures:
- Delta Air Lines canceled flights on Thursday at select airports in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Tennessee, citing customer safety. The airline announced it would automatically rebook affected customers and offer fee-free changes for existing bookings.
- Southwest Airlines anticipates disruptions across the South and East, providing passengers the flexibility to rebook or travel standby within a two-week window.
- American Airlines is offering similar flexibility for travel to and from major hubs like Dallas-Fort Worth and Charlotte.
- United Airlines issued a waiver covering much of the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and parts of the Carolinas and Ohio Valley, including its operations in Newark and the Washington area.
- JetBlue’s waiver for the Northeast encompasses New York and Boston-area airports, waiving change and cancel fees for customers traveling to and from 11 cities.
- Ultra-low-cost carriers are also adjusting: Frontier Airlines will issue refunds for flights canceled or delayed by more than three hours domestically or six hours internationally, while Spirit Airlines is waiving modification charges and fare differences across 13 cities for travel between Friday and Sunday.
Airlines warn that the combination of ice, snow, and strong winds could significantly slow airport operations, leading to delays, cancellations, and complicated rebooking processes.
Travelers are strongly advised to closely monitor their flight status and utilize airline mobile apps and websites for the quickest rebooking options as the storm approaches. DePodwin added that even areas far from the storm’s direct path, such as West Coast hubs, Denver, Chicago, and Minneapolis, will likely experience “ripple effects” from this widespread travel disruption.