Flight Update: Storm Doris Impacts Heathrow, U.S. Blizzard Continues

Storm Doris is battering the UK with winds of up to 90mph, which could cause flight delays and cancellations at Heathrow Airport today.

Heathrow is advising travelers to check their flight status before traveling. According to the latest forecast from Weather.com, the storm is mainly causing high winds in the western part of the UK, with Aer Lingus canceling 12 flights between the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

A Heathrow spokesperson said that the winds could result in an approximately 10 percent reduction in the airport’s flight schedule.

The UK’s Met Office has issued an amber warning for much of the country.

Cancellation Waivers in Midwest Continue

Meanwhile in the United States, airlines are still offering cancellation waivers for travelers affected by the blizzard in the Midwest.

Southwest Airlines is warning travelers that flights through Milwaukee (MKE) and Minneapolis (MSP) may be delayed or cancelled February 23 – 24. Customers may rebook in the original class of service or travel standby within 14 days of their original travel date between the original city pair without paying an additional fee.

American Airlines is offering travelers the chance to rebook their flight through affected airports if they bought their ticket by February 21 for travel February 23 – 24, with travel to take place no later than February 28. Travel must be between the same city pair in the same cabin, or travelers can pay the difference.

Delta is also offering travelers a refund for the unused portion of their ticket if their flight is cancelled or delayed 90 minutes or more as a result of the foul weather. Delta travelers can also make a one-time change to their ticket without fee if they are scheduled to travel through affected airports February 23 – 24, with the ticket to be reissued no later than February 28 with travel to take place no later than that day.

United Airlines is offering to waive the change fee and any difference in fare for new flights departing on or before February 28. The original travel must have been booked for February 23 - 24, and travelers must reschedule in the same cabin (any fare class) and between the same cities as originally ticketed. 

Accuweather warns that the storm will move out of the Rockies Thursday and into the Great Lakes by Friday, bringing severe weather to the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio on Friday. From Friday night through Saturday, the storm could continue to produce damaging winds across New York and into Pennsylvania.

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