Several major US airlines have waived change and cancellation fees for domestic travelers in anticipation of a powerful new snowstorm expected to disrupt air travel across parts of the United States.
Carriers including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, JetBlue Airways, United Airlines, and Spirit Airlines announced that passengers would be allowed to cancel or change bookings without penalty if they travel by February 26.
Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines said travelers could change flights without paying fare differences if they rebook or travel on standby within a two-week window.
According to the National Weather Service, the storm is expected to bring between 13 and 18 inches of snow to parts of southern Connecticut and southeastern New York, along with winds reaching up to 55 miles per hour.
Blizzard warnings are scheduled to begin at 6 a.m. Eastern Time on Sunday, with meteorologists warning that heavy snowfall could continue into Monday.
Flight cancellations remained relatively limited as of Saturday morning for Sunday schedules, but airlines are preparing for possible disruptions as the storm approaches.
The move follows travel chaos caused by the winter storm “Fern” in January, when severe cold weather disrupted transportation across large parts of the United States.
The earlier storm generated significant operational and financial pressure on US airlines. Robert Isom, chief executive of American Airlines, previously faced criticism after frontline crews were stranded overnight in airports amid widespread cancellations.
The company estimated that the storm reduced revenue by between $150 million and $200 million during a recent earnings call.
With winter weather remaining a major risk factor for aviation operations, airlines are expected to continue offering flexible booking policies as part of their contingency planning.
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