Major U.S. airlines are taking proactive measures in response to the impending **Winter Storm Fern**, which is expected to disrupt travel plans across the country beginning **January 23, 2024**. The storm could impact approximately **230 million people** as it sweeps through the South, Midwest, and Northeast, bringing severe snowfall, ice, and plummeting temperatures. Airlines have issued travel waivers to allow customers to adjust their plans without incurring penalties, anticipating significant flight cancellations and delays over the weekend.
Travel Waivers for Affected Passengers
In anticipation of the storm, several airlines are encouraging customers to take advantage of their flexible travel policies. **American Airlines** has informed passengers that those affected by the storm can change their flights without incurring change fees. This applies to travelers with tickets purchased before **January 19** for flights scheduled from **January 23 to January 25**. However, changes must be made by **January 25**, and customers cannot alter their origin or destination cities.
Similarly, **Delta Air Lines** is offering flexibility to customers with existing bookings. The airline stated, “To help customers manage their travel plans and minimize disruptions, Delta is offering flexibility to customers with existing bookings to change their travel with no fees.” This applies to flights scheduled across Texas, the Southeast, and Northeast during the storm period, allowing rebooking for flights departing by **January 28**.
**Frontier Airlines**, a budget carrier, has also waived change and cancellation fees for flights impacted by the winter storm, as long as passengers do not change their departure or arrival cities. Customers will, however, be responsible for any fare differences.
Additional Airline Responses
**JetBlue** has issued a waiver that permits customers to rebook or cancel flights to or from a dozen cities without penalty, provided that original travel plans were made before **January 22**. **Spirit Airlines** follows suit, allowing customers to rebook weekend flights for travel through **January 28** without charging fare differences.
**Southwest Airlines** has cautioned travelers with flights scheduled from **January 23 to January 26** that their flights may be subject to delays, diversions, or cancellations. Customers can rebook without paying a fare difference if their travel plans are affected.
Lastly, **United Airlines** has announced that customers who purchased tickets prior to **January 20** for travel between **January 24 and January 26** can reschedule their trips without incurring change fees or fare differences. New flights must depart between **January 21 and January 28** and remain between the same cities originally booked.
Travelers are encouraged to stay updated on their flight status as the storm approaches, and many are opting for added protection. According to **Hopper Technology Solutions**, there has been a **17% increase** in travelers purchasing their “Disruption Assistance” policy, which allows customers to rebook on the next available flight, regardless of the airline.
As airlines brace for the impact of Winter Storm Fern, passengers are advised to check their flight status and consider their options carefully to minimize disruptions during this challenging weather event.
