The best time to travel for Christmas to avoid winter storm cancellations, delays

TRAVEL Amine 22 Dec , 2022 0

With a major winter storm bringing high winds and snow to many places this week and the Christmas holiday travel season in full swing, the timing couldn’t be worse.

A massive winter storm will affect tens of millions of Americans in the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast starting Wednesday, with peak impact expected Thursday through early Saturday (Christmas Eve).

Snowstorm conditions are expected in parts of the Midwest and Great Lakes on Thursday and Friday, with devastating effects on holiday travel, including extended flight delays and numerous cancellations.

Airlines have started doing what they can in anticipation of a major winter storm coming later this week.

“Airlines are basically going all-out,” says David Slotnick, Senior Aviation Business Reporter for The Points Guy. “They’re calling as many staff as possible. They’re trying to get the crew ready. They’re trying to get the de-icing crew ready to keep as many planes moving as possible.”

Snowstorm conditions are expected to impact holiday travel, with flight delays and extended cancellations.

There will also be ripple effects across the country, as more flight delays and cancellations are likely in the Midwest and around the Great Lakes.

Because of the country’s geography, major cities like New York City, Boston, Miami, and Los Angeles enjoy beautiful, sunny days, but winter weather in places like Chicago and Detroit can prevent planes from landing. and may not be able to reach other major airports. .

Note: Just because airlines are preparing for the worst in this high-impact winter storm doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared.

“That’s why airlines often implement change waivers,” says Slotnick. “That means there is no fare difference if you have to move your flight.”

Traffic and snowplows share road traffic signs to alert drivers to conditions. — Massive winter storms will affect tens of millions of Americans in the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast over the weekend of the holiday season.

Slotnick said the best thing you can do if you’re flying over the Christmas holidays is do it sooner or later.

“You know, let’s go out on Tuesday or Wednesday, not Thursday or Friday,” he said. “You know, just having fewer people and more spaced out trips makes a big difference. And it helps.”

However, if you don’t have the flexibility to change flights and leave early, you should be careful with your booking.

“You know, you might see aggressive cancellations, and aggressive delays and flight changes,” says Slotnick. “And maybe you can take care of yourself at home through an app. You might be able to avoid the long lines at the airport.

Airlines have begun preparations in anticipation of a major winter storm due later this week.

If you’re already at the airport when a problem like this massive winter storm in the Midwest and Great Lakes hits, it’s frustrating when an airline is forced to cancel or delay your flight.

But you have a choice.

“A lot of power is given through airline apps these days,” says Slotnick. “So if you are late, you can make big changes yourself.

Travelers wait to pass through a security checkpoint at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. — “The best thing you can do if you’re flying over the Christmas holidays is do it sooner or later,” says David Slotnick, business reporter for The Points Guy.

If you find yourself in such a situation, skip the ticket counter and open the airline’s app to de-stress.

“Let’s see what we can do first,” Slotnick said. “Really, that’s the best way to avoid the worst.”

Several airports in the Midwest and Great Lakes area are experiencing delays and cancellations as a result of this impending winter storm.

Below is a list of major airports in the region, not necessarily with significant flight delays or cancellations.

Travelers queue to check-in for their flight at American Airlines Terminal 3. — Winter weather, such as in Chicago and Detroit, can prevent planes from landing and reaching other major airports.

As always, please contact the airline directly with any issues you may encounter with your flight before heading to the airport.

As Slotnick noted, many airlines will waive fees related to flight changes or cancellations if a large winter storm is forecast, such as that heading to parts of the Midwest and Great Lakes later this week. I suggest that you

So far, six major airlines have started issuing travel advisories and will waive some of the associated fees.

American Airlines:

American Airlines has issued a travel warning for several Midwestern destinations. Some locations are Des Moines, Iowa, Green Bay, Wisconsin, Kansas City, and Missouri.ri, Chicago O’Hare, and many others.

United Airlines:

United Airlines also announced it will waive fees for passengers traveling to and from dozens of Midwestern airports ahead of impending winter storms.

Southwest Airlines:

On Monday afternoon, Southwest Airlines was the latest airline to announce that it would waive fees related to flight changes due to winter storms.

So far, 12 airports in the Midwest are included, so check the website for the latest information.

Jet blue:

Due to winter storms, JetBlue will impose change and cancellation fees and fare differences for customers traveling to and from Chicago (ORD), Kansas City (MCI), and Milwaukee (MKE) from Wednesday, December 21 through Friday, December 23. announced that it would exempt and Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP).

Delta Airlines:

Delta Air Lines announced Tuesday that it will waive some fees related to flight changes ahead of winter storms and life-threatening cold weather.

Nationwide airports include Seattle (SEA) and western Billings, Montana (BIL) to Boston (BOS), Hartford, CT (BDL), New York City (JFK, LGA, EWR) and Philadelphia (PHL) It is Eastern Washington DC (DCA, IAD);

Alaska Airlines:

With snow falling in the Seattle area, Alaska Airlines is also providing assistance to passengers whose flights may be delayed or canceled due to snowstorms the week of Christmas.