Airlines issue travel waivers ahead of massive winter storm that would affect 200 million people
As a major winter storm named Winter Storm Fern threatens to disrupt travel plans across the United States, major U.S. airlines are issuing travel waivers to help passengers navigate potential flight cancellations and delays. The storm is expected to bring heavy snow, ice, and cold weather to the South, Midwest, and Northeast, affecting approximately 230 million people across the country.
With forecasters predicting widespread travel disruptions, airlines are preparing for the impact by offering flexibility to affected travelers. Many carriers are issuing travel alerts and allowing customers to change their plans without incurring penalty fees. Additionally, some travelers are taking proactive steps to protect their travel arrangements by purchasing insurance policies like Hopper Technology Solutions’ “Disruption Assistance” policy, which has seen a 17% increase in purchases for flights scheduled during the storm.
Here’s how some of the major airlines are responding to Winter Storm Fern:
American Airlines
American Airlines has issued a travel alert allowing passengers flying to, through, or from 34 U.S. airports to change their flights for free if they were booked before January 19 and scheduled to travel between January 23 and January 25. Changes must be made by January 25, and travel must be completed within one year of the original ticket date.
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines is offering flexibility to customers with existing bookings in response to the storm. Passengers traveling across Texas, the Southeast, and Northeast from Friday through Sunday can rebook their flights for travel departing on or before January 28 without incurring fees. Delta will notify affected customers of any flight changes via text or email.
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines is waiving change and cancellation fees for flights affected by the winter storm, provided that customers do not change their origin and destination cities. Fare differences will be the responsibility of the customers.
JetBlue
JetBlue’s Winter Storm Fern waiver allows customers to rebook or cancel flights to or from a dozen cities without penalty if their original travel plans were made before January 22.
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines has issued a travel waiver and is not charging fare differences for customers rebooking weekend flights for travel through January 28.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines has warned customers with flights scheduled between January 23 and January 26 that their flights could be delayed, diverted, or canceled. Passengers can rebook their flights without paying a change in airfare.
United Airlines
United Airlines is allowing customers who purchased tickets before January 20 for travel between January 24 and January 26 to reschedule their trips with waived change fees and fare differences. New flights must depart between January 21 and January 28 and be between the same cities as originally booked.
