A massive storm is expected to batter large parts of the US this weekend, causing widespread travel disruptions, especially in the air.
Winter Storm Fern, described in some media reports as the biggest storm to hit the US in years, is forecast to bring heavy snow, sleet and dangerous ice conditions to almost half of America’s states.
The storm is expected to impact the Southern Plains on Friday, before moving eastward, affecting nearly two-thirds of the US population, The Weather Channel reports.
Weather monitor AccuWeather says the storm is forecast to deliver the coldest temperatures since 2021.
According to Reuters, AccuWeather vice president of forecasting operations Dan DePodwin said the winter storm “will likely result in thousands of flight cancellations on Saturday, Sunday and Monday”.
“Even in locations far away from the storm, such as the West Coast hubs, Denver, Chicago and Minneapolis, ripple effects of this widespread travel-halting winter storm will be felt,” he remarked.
Air travel affects
The storm’s impact on flights is predicted to be significant, with airlines warning that ice, snow and strong winds could disrupt flights, causing delays and cancellations during a busy period.
With this in mind, the country’s major carriers have issued varying advice on potential disruptions.
On X, Delta Air Lines states that it is “closely monitoring winter weather expected to impact travel over the next several days across Texas, the Southeast, including Delta’s Atlanta hub, and into the Northeast”.
“To minimize disruptions, customers traveling to, from, or through impacted cities can adjust any existing plans with no fees.”
In an update Thursday night (local time), the carrier wrote that “flight cancellations are impacting airports in North Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee”.
On its website, American Airlines says that “teams across the airline are closely tracking the storm’s path and taking deliberate steps to provide customers with added flexibility, including issuing a travel alert and waiving change fees for affected cities”.
“We’re repositioning aircraft, aligning crew resources and reinforcing staffing at key airports while coordinating with our partners to help minimize disruption and set the stage for a fast, safe recovery once conditions improve,” it said.
“We are also keeping customers informed as conditions evolve so they can make the best decisions for their travel plans.”
United Airlines states that “travel to or from certain airports might be impacted”.
On its website, the carrier says that it has issued waivers covering much of the eastern and southern US, as well as the Chicago region.
Alaska Airlines states it is offering “a flexible travel policy to/from Atlanta (ATL), Austin (AUS), Nashville (BNA), Columbus (CMH), Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky (CVG), Dallas (DFW), Houston (IAH), Indianapolis (IND), Oklahoma City (OKC), Raleigh (RDU), or San Antonio (SAT) if you would like to change or cancel your flight”.
“Flights may be delayed or canceled. Please monitor your flight status regularly,” it adds in its Winter Storm Fern update.
Low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines has flexible travel policies in place for nearly two dozen US ports for travel between 23 and 26 January. Change fees have been waived through 31 January, but changes after this date may attract a fare difference.
Meanwhile, JetBlue has rolled out Northeast waivers and Frontier Airlines has offered refunds for long delays.
KARRYON UNPACKS: With Winter Storm Fern looming, US airline waivers matter for Australians selling America, highlighting how weather can quickly ripple across networks and why flexible fares and advice remain essential now.
