Topline
With a midweek winter storm expected to dump snow across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, major airlines are allowing some travelers to rebook their flights without incurring a fee.
NOAA’s forecast map for Tuesday shows areas expecting snow in blue and purple and areas expecting … [+]
Key Facts
American Airlines has a travel alert covering 31 airports throughout the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions for travel Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 11 and 12, including airports serving New York City and Washington, D.C.
United Airlines has a travel alert covering 10 Mid-Atlantic airports for travel Tuesday and Wednesday.
JetBlue Airways has also issued a travel advisory for Harlow, covering eight airports in the Mid-Atlantic region for travel Tuesday and Wednesday.
Southwest Airlines’ travel advisory covers five airports in the Mid-Atlantic near Washington, DC, for travel Tuesday and Wednesday.
Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines have not issued travel advisories for Harlow at this time.
Key Background
Winter Storm Harlow will bring heavy snow over the Central Plains and Ohio Valley into the Mid-Atlantic on Tuesday, 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 Tuesday or Wednesday may encounter flight delays and cancellations even if they are not traveling through areas impacted by the storm. Flights in late afternoon of both days are more likely to be disrupted.
Tangent
Most flight disruptions in the U.S. are weather-related. Last week, Winter Storm Freya led to more than 5,000 flight delays and cancellations. Over a two-day period in early January, Winter Storm Blair disrupted more than 22,000 flights.
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)
