Airlines Waive Change Fees in Face of Thanksgiving Nor’easter

U.S. airlines are waiving change fees for passengers who wish to reschedule flights and avoid traveling during the pre-Thanksgiving storm.

The National Weather Service (NWS) is calling for a powerful storm system to move along the Eastern Seaboard starting Tuesday evening and running through early Thursday morning. The NWS predicts this nor’easter will impact Thanksgiving travel on Wednesday — the third-busiest air travel day of the year.

In response to the winter storm, U.S. airlines are giving passengers traveling through affected airports the opportunity to change their itineraries before Mother Nature changes their itineraries for them.

Passengers flying to or from 18 airports in the Northeast, including Philadelphia and New York hubs, on Wednesday on either American Airlines or US Airways are permitted to change their travel plans without penalty. Travelers whose tickets were issued before Tuesday can reschedule for flights departing between Tuesday and Sunday without incurring a ticket reissue charge.

Delta Air Lines is waiving change fees for passengers with flights on Wednesday at 19 affected airports, including the carrier’s New York hubs at JFK and LaGuardia. Affected flyers with tickets purchased before Tuesday can reschedule for flights departing no later than Friday without penalty.

United Airlines is also waving change fees for flights scheduled on Wednesday at 23 airports in the East Coast, including its busy Newark hub. Rescheduled flights must depart no later than Friday.

Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines are similarly waiving change fees for travelers who wish to reschedule Wednesday travel plans due to weather. Passengers are encouraged to check their flight status, as carriers have issued travel advisories warning of possible delays and cancelations.

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