If you’re flying to, from or through the Northeast today, Thursday, August 20, you’re going to want to keep a very close eye on your flight. Severe weather is expected across parts of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, and the disruptions are already beginning. As of this morning, LaGuardia Airport (LGA) had already canceled about 13% of its flights, while nearby John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) had canceled about 7%. RELATED: What Is an Airline Travel Waiver? Here’s What It Means for Your Flight
And it’s not just New York. Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington, D.C. has already canceled about 8% of its flights, while Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) has canceled about 5%, according to FlightAware.
And it’s still early.
With thunderstorms in the forecast and some of the busiest airspace in the country involved, delays and cancellations could continue to pile up throughout the day.
The good news is that several major U.S. airlines have already issued travel waivers, giving eligible passengers more flexibility to change their plans.
American Airlines
American Airlines has issued a travel alert for severe weather in the Northeast affecting travel on August 20.
The waiver covers:
- Baltimore (BWI)
- Boston (BOS)
- New York Kennedy (JFK)
- New York LaGuardia (LGA)
- Newark (EWR)
- Philadelphia (PHL)
- Washington Dulles (IAD)
- Washington Reagan (DCA)
- White Plains/Westchester County (HPN)
Passengers booked on American Airlines, including those with Basic Economy tickets, may be eligible to change their flights without a change fee. Tickets must have been purchased by August 18 and passengers can move their travel to August 19 through August 23, subject to the airline’s conditions.
Check American Airlines’ latest travel alerts
Delta Air Lines
Delta has also issued a Northeast Summer Weather advisory for August 20 covering many of the same airports:
BOS, BWI, DCA, EWR, HPN, IAD, JFK, LGA and PHL.
Delta says travel to, from or through these destinations may be affected and recommends that passengers frequently check their flight status. Eligible tickets can be reissued on or before August 23.
Check Delta’s current travel advisories
United Airlines
United has issued an East Coast thunderstorms travel waiver for August 20 covering:
- Baltimore (BWI)
- Boston (BOS)
- Hartford (BDL)
- New York Kennedy (JFK)
- New York LaGuardia (LGA)
- Newark (EWR)
- Philadelphia (PHL)
- Providence (PVD)
- Washington Dulles (IAD)
- Washington National (DCA)
United’s waiver allows eligible passengers traveling to, from or through the affected airports to make voluntary changes.
Check United Airlines’ latest travel alerts
JetBlue
JetBlue updated its Northeast/Mid-Atlantic thunderstorms waiver at 2:20 a.m. ET today. The airline is waiving change and cancellation fees as well as fare differences for eligible passengers traveling August 20 to or from Baltimore, Boston, Islip, JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Philadelphia, Washington Reagan and Westchester County. Passengers can rebook eligible flights for travel through Wednesday, August 26.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest is warning that weather could disrupt flights on August 20 at Baltimore, Boston, Islip, LaGuardia, Philadelphia and Washington Reagan. Passengers with eligible reservations to, from or through the affected cities can rebook or travel standby within 14 days of their original travel date between the same city pairs without paying a difference in airfare. If Southwest cancels or significantly delays a flight and a passenger decides not to travel, they may also be eligible for a refund.
Check Southwest’s latest travel advisory
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines doesn’t appear to have a broad Northeast travel waiver posted at the moment, but it does have weather-related restrictions at several East Coast airports.
Due to inclement weather, Alaska says children under 18 traveling without a guardian will not be accepted on arriving flights today at Baltimore (BWI), Washington Dulles (IAD), New York Kennedy (JFK), Newark (EWR), Philadelphia (PHL) and Washington Reagan (DCA).
Check Alaska Airlines’ latest travel advisories
What travelers should do
If you’re scheduled to fly anywhere in the Northeast today, don’t wait until you get to the airport to start checking your flight. Open your airline’s app and check both your flight status and the status of the aircraft scheduled to operate your flight.
I also recommend checking the weather at your departure airport, destination and any connecting airports, as well as where your plane is coming from. Even if the weather is beautiful at both ends of your trip, your flight can still be delayed if your aircraft is stuck somewhere else because of bad weather.
That’s exactly what happened to me last week. My American Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Los Angeles was delayed five hours because our plane was stuck in Chicago due to thunderstorms. Fortunately, I was able to pivot and still make it home early. Here’s how I did it.
If your airline is offering a waiver and your plans are flexible, seriously consider changing your flight before the situation gets worse. Once flights begin getting canceled, available seats on later flights can disappear quickly.
If you’re already at the airport and your flight is delayed or canceled, don’t just stand in a long customer service line. Get on the airline’s app or website at the same time and start looking for alternatives. Call the airline while you’re waiting, too. The key is to work multiple angles at once because other passengers are trying to grab those same available seats. Here are my 12 go-to tips for dealing with weather delays and flight cancellations.
