The most powerful winter storm so far this season is wreaking havoc on air travel across large parts of the country.
Snow, ice and bitterly cold winds blanketed much of the Midwest Sunday, disrupting thousands of flights. And as the system moves toward the East Coast, the number of delays and cancellations is getting worse.
As of 7:15 pm EST Sunday, airlines had canceled more than 1,500 flights across the US, according to the data. flight AwareAnother 6,700 have been delayed.
So far, the worst flight problems have been seen at Kansas City International Airport (MCI) in Missouri, where about 95% of scheduled departures were canceled due to blizzard-like conditions on Sunday.
These mass cancellations came a day after the airport, at one point, had to close its runways due to rapid snow accumulation – something that briefly Kansas City Chiefs’ planned departure threatened Denver for a game on Sunday.
For several days, forecasters had warned of significant travel disruptions as the winter storm approached last week, with the National Weather Service warning of potentially significant snowfall from the Midwest to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
“Accumulating snow, which could reach or exceed half a foot, is expected to halt travel in places like Kansas City, St. Louis, Indianapolis and Cincinnati,” AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said Friday. In the Mid-Atlantic states “travel between Sunday night and Monday evening will pose a significant risk.”
Early Friday, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) said its airport snow team would monitor conditions with plans to deploy snow removal equipment as needed.
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) similarly warned of potentially dangerous conditions Monday morning.
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Most major US airlines have issued travel alerts, allowing travelers additional flexibility to make travel itineraries amid severe weather. This includes waiving change fees even for passengers flying on the most restrictive fare types.
Southwest Airlines was one of the hardest-hit airlines Sunday, leading all U.S. airlines with more than 380 cancellations — about 8% of its schedule. The Dallas-based carrier has a large presence in both hard-hit Kansas City and St. Louis — not to mention the D.C. area, where it is expected to bear the brunt of the storm in the coming hours.
American Airlines has canceled more than 175 flights so far Sunday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, hit by multiple ground stops due to the winter storm and high winds at its Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) home base .
This winter weather system has brought a tumultuous end to the holiday travel season, which had some setbacks – from a American Airlines technical glitch on Christmas Eve severe thunderstorms Throughout Christmas week in Texas.
For this latest round of winter weather, here’s what to know if you’re traveling in the next few days:
For travel advice see
Check your airline’s website. Your flight may be covered by one of several travel advisories issued by major US carriers.
This lets you make complimentary itinerary changes more easily directly from your airline’s app – even if you’re flying on a normally restrictive ticket like basic economy.
American Airlines, for example, has advice covering nearly three dozen airports across a large portion of the country, including its Philly and DCA hubs.
United Airlines has done the same for about a dozen airports, including its Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) hub. Southwest’s travel alert covers a handful of cities where it has a major presence, including Kansas City, St. Louis, Nashville and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
Here are links to travel advisories for the four largest US carriers:
It is worth noting, many carriers Travel advisory also issued This comes in the wake of the January 1 terrorist attack in New Orleans last week.
See any good rebooking options? don’t be late
If you’re dealing with a flight delay and see a half-baked rebooking option pop up in your airline’s app, don’t waste a second: lock it!
Thousands of flights have been diverted from their normal schedules due to bad weather, with large numbers of passengers vying for open seats on those flights that are leaving on time. And those open seats can fill up quickly.
Read more: Flight canceled or delayed? Here’s what to do next
staying home? You may be eligible for a refund
If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed and you choose to stay home rather than fly and brave the winter storm, you should be eligible for a refund.
US Department of Transportation regulations Expect Airlines to Refund Passengers For the unfilled portion of their ticket when their flight is canceled or significantly delayed – but only if the passenger chooses not to travel rather than accepting a rebooking.
Easy cancellation and miles back on award bookings
In the meantime, if nature has made you want to stay home and skip that trip you booked with frequent flyer miles, you’re in luck.
Generally, most US airlines will allow you to cancel an award booking and get all your miles back without any fees. You will usually also get a refund for any related taxes and fees.
Use Airline Lounge Customer Service
Stuck at the airport? If you’re an airline lounge member, don’t forget: There are usually customer service agents there who can help you work out an itinerary – and often you’ll have less wait time than in airport crowds. public.
However, keep in mind, this applies to airline-branded lounges for the carrier you’re flying in – not credit card-branded lounges.
Read more: 5 Ways to Make Sure You Have Lounge Access Before Your Next Flight
Receiving compensation for delayed flight
Airlines have made various promises to DOT for food, hotel accommodation and other Guarantee In case of flight cancellation or major delay. However, these generally apply to “controllable” disruptions (such as maintenance or staffing issues) – and are generally No Apply when bad weather affects travel.
right here a Travel credit card that offers travel insurance protection This can come in handy when flight issues leave you stranded, helping you cover unexpected costs. One problem: In most cases, you typically have to book your travel with that card in order to make a successful claim.
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