Some Airlines Prepare For Thanksgiving Snow Storm, Waive Flight Change Fees

Airports in the Northeast could look like this tomorrow if winter storm predictions come to fruition.

With the first major travel day of the 2014 holiday season upon us and weather forecasters predicting significant snow across the Midwest and Northeast, some airlines are taking a proactive approach by waiving change fees for Thanksgiving travelers.

Bloomberg reports (Warning: video auto plays) that several airlines including United, American and Delta have already waived their customary fee for flight changes in as many as 23 airports in the Northeast.

United Airlines waived fees for flights traveling into, out of or through its hub at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago as snow began to fall yesterday. It later extended the waiver to 23 Northeastern airports. Airports include those in New York, the Washington, D.C. area, Philadelphia and Boston.

A spokesperson for the company says the airline experienced more delays than normal because of winter weather, but only had six cancellations at O’Hare at its mainline and regional flights.

The airline’s wavier extends to travel on November 26, but requires rebooking by November 28.

American Airlines waived change fees for flights out of 18 airports. The waiver applied to travel on November 26 and allows travelers to rebook flights through November 27. Affected airports also include those in New York, the Washington, D.C. area, Philadelphia and Boston.

Delta waived fees for 19 airports toward travel on November 26, with rebooking plowed starting no later than November 28.

According to Delta’s website if a flight is canceled or significantly delayed, travelers are entitled to a refund. If the flight is not canceled, customers may make a one-time change to your ticket without fee if they are scheduled to travel to, from, or through the affected destinations on Delta, Delta Connection, or Delta-coded flights.

Affected airports also include several in New York, the Washington, D.C. area, Philadelphia and Boston.

Air travel this Thanksgiving holiday is projected to be the highest since 2007, with 3.55 million consumers traveling by air.

Weather forecasters have predicted a storm will dump as much as six inches of snow across the northern portions of New York City on Wednesday. Additionally, a winter storm watch is in effect for November 26 to November 27 for parts of Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Connecticut, the National Weather Service says.

Airlines Waive Rebooking Fees as Winter Storm Delays Fliers [Bloomberg]

Short Range Forecast Discussion [NWS]

by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist