Airlines Issue Travel Advisories For Midwest And Northeast

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.

Key Facts

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)