Late Winter Storm Hits Flights Throughout Northeast

A powerful nor’easter is disrupting flights across the northeastern United States and New England today. Delta reports that it has proactively cancelled approximately 300 flights as forecasts call for winds in excess of 50 mph in some areas.

In terms of airports, New York City’s JFK is reporting nearly 250 cancellations thus far today. There have also been approximately 400 cancellations at LaGuardia, 260 cancellations at Newark Liberty International, and a number of other cancellations at Philadelphia International Airport. At Newark, the AirTran network has been shut down and replaced by shuttle buses due to the high winds.

According to the latest forecast from Accuweather, the storm has already left nearly a half a million people without power as strong winds hit an area from North Carolina to Maine. The strongest winds are likely to be along the eastern coast of Massachusetts, where they could reach hurricane strength. Coastal flooding and heavy snow are also likely, with the heaviest snow forecast over western New York and northern Pennsylvania, although several inches are possible in and around New York City.

Travel Waivers

American Airlines is allowing customers scheduled to fly through airports in the northeastern U.S. through March 3 to rebook through March 6 between the same city pair in the same cabin (or pay the difference).

Delta has issued a winter weather waiver for an area ranging from Washington, DC, as far north as Portland, Maine, and as far west as Cleveland. Customers booked to travel through March 3 can rebook through March 6, with rebooked travel to begin no later than that date.

United Airlines is allowing customers set to fly through March 3 to rebook through March 7 in the originally ticketed cabin and between the same city pair.

Southwest Airlines is allowing customers set to fly through March 3 to rebook in the original class of service or travel standby within 14 days of their original date of travel between the original city pair.

JetBlue has issued a rebooking waiver for customers scheduled to fly through March 3, with rebooked travel to take place through March 6.

Finally, Frontier Airlines is allowing customers scheduled to fly through March 3 to rebook through March 19.

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