Airlines Warn Travelers: Important Advisory Update Through Monday

The most significant winter storm of this season—termed Winter Storm Blair by the Weather Channel—is predicted to commence late Saturday in the Central Plains and advance toward the Mid-Atlantic this weekend and into Monday. Meteorologists are forecasting treacherous travel conditions, with several days of heavy snowfall, ice, and abnormally low temperatures as the storm progresses eastward.

A winter storm alert has been issued for a large portion of Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Additionally, a winter storm warning has been declared for sections of Montana, where strong winds and drifting snow will significantly reduce visibility.

Regions between central Kansas and Indiana, particularly along and north of Interstate 70, are expected to experience heavy snowfall. An ice storm warning has been declared for southern Missouri. Icing conditions are probable from eastern Kansas extending into the southern Appalachians.

Travelers may face flight delays and cancellations, even if they are not flying through areas affected by the storm. Flights scheduled for late afternoon are more likely to be impacted.

Winter Storm Blair: Airline Travel Advisories

Leading U.S. airlines are providing travel waivers that permit passengers flying to or from impacted airports to rebook without incurring fare differences. For travelers wishing to adjust their plans or recover travel costs, much will hinge on the airline, itinerary, and, in certain instances, whether a travel insurance policy has been obtained.

American Airlines has issued the most extensive travel advisory, covering 46 airports across 16 states, and spanning 1,100 miles from Kansas to New Jersey. This alert applies to flights traveling in or out of affected airports from Saturday to Monday, January 4-6. Passengers can reschedule their travel for no later than Thursday, January 9.

Delta Air Lines has released a travel advisory relevant to 12 airports from Kansas to Maryland. Passengers set to fly through these specified airports from Saturday to Monday, January 4-6, can rebook flights for travel by Friday, January 10.

Frontier Airlines has issued a travel alert for travelers flying to or from 10 airports in eight states on Sunday and Monday, January 5-6.

JetBlue Airways has put forth a travel alert for four airports: Nashville (BNA), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Richmond (RIC), and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Washington D.C. The airline will waive fees for changes and cancellations, as well as fare differences for travelers between Saturday and Monday, January 4-6. They may reschedule for flights departing no later than Wednesday, January 15.

Southwest Airlines’ travel advisory currently encompasses 16 airports, covering a region of 950 miles from Kansas City, Missouri to Norfolk, Virginia. Travelers passing through affected airports from Saturday to Monday, January 4-6, have a two-week period to rebook without incurring charges.

Spirit Airlines has a travel advisory covering inbound and outbound flights at nine airports from Saturday through Monday, January 4-6. They can be rebooked for travel by Monday, January 13.

United Airlines has announced two travel advisories. The first encompasses 18 airports in an area that spans approximately 1,000 miles across seven Midwestern states, from Kansas to Ohio. Passengers booked to fly between Saturday and Monday, January 4-6, can rebook for flights traveling through Monday, January 13.

The second advisory pertains to 11 airports in the MidAtlantic region, covering a span of nearly 600 miles from Nashville to Washington D.C. Passengers who had flights scheduled for Sunday or Monday, January 5-6, can rebook for travel before Monday, January 13.