Get forward of the weekend flight cancellations, delays. What to know.

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The large winter storm we have been warned about all week is sort of right here, and airways have already canceled hundreds of flights via the weekend.

More than 560 U.S. flights have been canceled for Friday, Jan. 23, and practically 2,400 others have been canceled for Saturday, Jan. 24, in accordance with flight-tracking web site FlightAware. More than 1,600 scheduled to function on Sunday, Jan. 25, have additionally been canceled as of 4:40 p.m. ET on Jan. 23.

Those numbers are anticipated to climb because the climate worsens within the coming days, and the storm strikes east.

Airlines started providing journey waivers to assist clients keep away from flight disruptions earlier within the week and have since expanded which flights are lined.

Weekend flight cancellations

Airlines usually begin preemptively cancelling flights forward of dangerous climate to make sure airplanes and crews are positioned to get issues shifting as quickly as potential after the storm clears.

That’s probably why there are already hundreds of flights axed for this weekend, in accordance with FlightAware. Airlines are slowing their operations to help of their restoration and proactively canceled round 2,400 flights for Jan. 24 and 1,600 flights for Jan. 25.

“It’s about keeping the airport, the environment clean and ready, snow removed, and then it’s about having our pilots, our flight attendants and our airplanes all lined up so we can get our customers onboard and move them to where they want to be,” John Laughter, Delta Air Lines’ chief of operations, beforehand instructed USA TODAY.

As the storm closes in after which begins hitting airports, it is probably these cancellation numbers will climb. It’s additionally probably that some flights can be canceled for a day or two after the climate clears, as airways work to get all their plane and crews again into place for regular operations.

“The focus is really to recover as quickly as we can and do right by the customer,” Suzanne Williamson, managing director of American Airlines’ Integrated Operations Center, beforehand instructed USA TODAY. “Two days later, it’s really hard to explain that the weather is what caused your flight to be delayed or canceled.”

What to do when you’re planning to fly this weekend

Get prepared for disruptions. Monitor updates out of your airline and take into account rebooking when you can. More information on airline-specific rebooking insurance policies associated to this storm are within the part beneath.

If you completely need to journey, be ready to roll with the punches. More flights are more likely to get delayed or canceled because the storm progresses. Research your rebooking choices and different itineraries upfront, and benefit from airways’ self-service instruments to keep away from lengthy strains at airport agent desks or lengthy maintain occasions on the cellphone.

“Speed is going to be critical,” Katy Nastro, a journey knowledgeable at Going, instructed USA TODAY in an announcement. “We want those who are flying to make alternative plans much sooner rather than later so they ensure they get a rebooking that works best for them. There will not be an endless supply of seats to reaccommodate you on … there is no time like the present to give yourself the best odds at a decent rebooking.”

It’s additionally a good suggestion to pack further provisions for your self when you’re heading to the airport this weekend.

According to Matas Cenys, head of product at eSim firm Saily, bringing further garments and doses of any remedy you could be taking, in addition to necessities like charging cables, may come in useful when you get caught.

Travel waivers by airline 

Terms fluctuate, however these waivers typically enable vacationers to rebook with out penalty or get flight credit score in the event that they cancel their journeys.  

Customers can discover particulars, together with impacted airports and key dates, on every provider’s web site linked beneath.

What occurs if a flight will get canceled? 

Airlines will routinely rebook you on one other flight in case your flight is canceled. Typically, it’s on the identical airline, however relying on the explanation for the cancellation and provider, some could possibly rebook you on a associate airline. 

If your flight is canceled for causes throughout the provider’s management – say, because of staffing or plane upkeep – you’re entitled to a meal when you need to wait greater than three hours for the subsequent flight. If you find yourself stranded in a single day, most airways may also cowl your resort and floor transportation if the cancellation was inside their management. 

Weather is notably outdoors of airline management. 

If your flight is canceled for any cause and also you select to now not fly, Department of Transportation rules require the airline to give you a refund, no matter ticket kind. 

You can discover airline-specific data on the DOT’s Airline Customer Service Dashboard

What occurs if my flight is delayed?  

Airlines are required to get you to your vacation spot, however they don’t owe you anything for delays because of climate or anything outdoors of their management.  

It’s a special story for vital delays because of points inside their management. 

All airways will rebook clients on their similar airline for vital delays (sometimes not less than three hours) inside their management, however some may also guide clients on associate carriers.  

Airlines will additionally cowl meals for controllable delays not less than three hours lengthy. Most airways may also cowl a resort keep and floor transportation for in a single day delays inside their management. 

Again, climate is outdoors of airline management.  

Additional particulars might be discovered on the DOT dashboard. It’s price noting that U.S. regulators don’t require money funds for delays. Also, even when it’s not required, airline customer support representatives might have the facility to supply meal vouchers, mileage credit score or different compensation in your bother, on a case-by-case foundation. 

(This story has been up to date with new data.)


This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you’ll be able to go to the hyperlink bellow:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2026/01/23/flight-cancellations-delays-winter-storm/88315347007/
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