Winter Storm Fern Disrupts Travel Plans Across the U.S.
Table of Contents
Delta Air Lines is urging travelers in affected areas to change flights ahead of widespread cancellations due to Winter Storm Fern.
- Delta is proactively canceling flights to minimize disruptions caused by the storm.
- Travel waivers are in effect through Monday, January 26, allowing fee-free changes.
- Significant ice accumulation is expected in Atlanta on Sunday, with heavy snowfall forecast for the Northeast.
- Passengers experiencing delays or cancellations may be entitled to a full refund.
Travelers bracing for weekend flights should prepare for potential disruptions as Winter Storm Fern barrels across the country. Delta Air Lines is encouraging customers in areas predicted to be hit hardest to move their travel dates to before or after the storm, anticipating significant flight cancellations. The airline is already making schedule adjustments and proactively canceling flights to give passengers more flexibility.
East Coast and Atlanta Brace for Impact
Additional cancellations are already impacting travel this morning, particularly in Atlanta and along the East Coast, including major Delta hubs in Boston and New York City. The forecast calls for ice accumulation in Atlanta on Sunday, January 25, while substantial snowfall is expected to begin in the Northeast Sunday afternoon.
Travel waivers are currently in place through Monday, January 26, allowing customers to adjust their itineraries at no additional cost via the Delta app or Delta.com. The airline is working to notify customers of any changes as early as possible.
Delta’s Proactive Measures
Delta is taking several steps to mitigate the impact of the storm. These include enacting flight cancellations well in advance of departure times, adjusting staffing levels with reserve pilots and flight attendants, and relocating experts from cold-weather hubs to support deicing and baggage handling at Southern airports. Aircraft are being moved out of areas facing frozen precipitation whenever possible to expedite recovery efforts once conditions improve.
Understanding Your Rights: Refunds and Rebooking
Passengers whose flights are significantly delayed or canceled have several options. Delta automatically rebooks customers on the next available flight, and further changes can be made through the Delta app or Delta.com.
Customers who experience a cancellation and are not automatically rebooked should contact Delta at the airport or through the Reservations team via phone or the app’s “Message Us” feature to explore alternative flight options.
Can I get a refund if my flight is delayed or canceled? Yes. Passengers on U.S. domestic itineraries experiencing a delay of three hours or more, or who choose not to fly on a rebooked itinerary, are eligible for a full refund, including any ancillary fees. The same applies to international itineraries with delays of six hours or more.
If a flight is canceled and a customer declines the rebooked itinerary, Delta will automatically initiate a full refund to the original form of payment within 24 hours. Additionally, Delta will automatically refund tickets if unable to rebook a trip and does not receive confirmation from the customer regarding alternative arrangements, as per Department of Transportation regulations.
Friday, Jan. 23 | 2 p.m. EDT
Delta continues to monitor Winter Storm Fern and encourages customers traveling this weekend in affected areas to move their flights before or after the storm due to anticipated cancellations. Cancellations are expected in the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, Nashville, and Raleigh-Durham. Further schedule adjustments are anticipated for Atlanta and the Northeast tomorrow morning.
Thursday, Jan. 22 | 2:40 p.m. EDT
The winter storm system is moving eastward, with forecasts indicating significant snowfall in Oklahoma and accumulating ice throughout Northern Texas beginning Friday evening. Flight cancellations are necessary at select airports in North Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Tennessee to ensure passenger and employee safety. Delta is proactively adjusting staffing levels, including deploying experts from cold-weather hubs to support deicing and baggage teams in Atlanta, Birmingham, Huntsville, Knoxville, and Nashville.
The weather system is forecast to impact operations in the Northeast starting Sunday afternoon. A travel waiver for Eastern North America has been issued, in addition to a previously issued waiver covering parts of the central and southeastern United States. Both waivers cover travel to, from, or through affected cities.
Additional guidance for customers:
- Verify flight status via the Delta app or Delta.com before heading to the airport.
- Utilize the app’s self-service standby feature for potential earlier flights (U.S. domestic travel only, last leg of trip).
- Customers on U.S. domestic itineraries experiencing a delay of three hours or more, and choosing not to fly, are entitled to a full refund. The same refund eligibility applies to international itineraries with delays of six hours or more.
Wednesday, Jan. 21 | 7 a.m. EDT
Weather forecasts predict impactful winter weather, including freezing rain, sleet, and ice accumulation, across Texas, the Southeast—including Delta’s Atlanta hub—and into the Northeast over the next several days. Delta is closely monitoring forecasts to determine necessary schedule adjustments, prioritizing the safety of customers and employees.
Customers with existing bookings can change their travel plans with no fees by visiting Delta.com or using the app. Delta will work to rebook customers on the next available flight if a flight is canceled or a delay causes a misconnection. Customers are encouraged to monitor their flight status closely on Delta.com or the app for the latest information and receive updates via mobile device or email.
