A massive winter storm sweeping across the United States has upended travel plans for hundreds of thousands of passengers, with more than 12,200 weekend flights canceled as of Saturday, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware. The Associated Press reported that forecasters warned catastrophic damage from ice accumulation could rival that of a hurricane. The storm’s path extends from the southern Rocky Mountains to New England, and disruptions are expected to intensify Sunday.
As the storm unfolded, airlines began issuing travel advisories allowing passengers to postpone trips without penalty. American Airlines said it is waiving change fees for passengers affected by the storm and adding extra flights around the country to help stranded travelers. Travelers can search online for their airline’s name and “travel alerts” to find rescheduling offers.
By mid-day Saturday, American and Delta Air Lines each had canceled more than 1,000 of their scheduled Sunday flights, FlightAware data showed. Oklahoma’s largest airport suspended all flights Saturday. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, a major hub, saw more than 700 departing flights canceled and nearly as many arrivals called off. Disruptions also stacked up at airports in Chicago, Atlanta, Nashville and Charlotte, North Carolina.
The situation worsened through the afternoon. By late Saturday, nearly all departing flights scheduled for Sunday at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport – 405 flights, or about 95% – had already been canceled, according to FlightAware. Major disruptions were forecast for Charlotte and Atlanta, home to the nation’s busiest airport, as well as New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport, where 87% of Sunday’s departing flights were canceled.
For travelers already at the airport, the AP reported that getting in line to speak with a customer service representative is the first step. Those still at home or at a hotel should call or go online to reach reservations staff. It helps to research alternate flights while waiting. Most airlines will rebook passengers on a later flight at no extra charge, but availability depends on open seats. Airlines are not required to put passengers on another carrier’s flight, though some major carriers may book travelers on partner airlines.
If a passenger no longer wants to travel, the airline is legally required to refund the ticket – even for non-refundable fares – regardless of the reason for the cancellation. MSI previously reported that airlines must refund fares within seven business days for credit-card purchases and 20 calendar days for cash or check. Travelers are also entitled to a refund of any bag fees, seat upgrades or other extras they did not use.
The U.S. Department of Transportation does not require airlines to compensate passengers for meals or lodging when cancellations or long delays stem from “uncontrollable” events like severe weather. However, each airline has its own policies covering “controllable” disruptions such as maintenance issues or crew shortages, and the department can hold airlines accountable for those commitments.
Kyle Potter, executive editor of Thrifty Traveler, told the AP that when forecasts look troubling, travelers should consider booking a backup flight. Some airlines stand out, he said, because they let customers get a full refund as long as they cancel within 24 hours of booking. Potter also noted that customer-service phone lines will be slammed during a major storm; travelers traveling with someone who has a higher frequent-flyer status can use that person’s priority number, and calling the airline’s international support number can sometimes connect passengers with agents who can rebook them just as effectively.