If you’re flying this weekend, especially through the Northeast, keep a close eye on your flight status. A powerful line of thunderstorms has brought heavy rain, damaging winds and the potential for flash flooding across much of the East Coast.
I’m just outside of Toronto and we received an emergency push alert warning (screenshot below) everyone to seek shelter immediately because of a possible tornado. It was definitely unnerving but fortunately we were at my mother-in-law’s house and not on the road or at the airport.
The greatest impacts are expected this afternoon and evening, so travelers should be prepared for delays and possible cancellations.
The good news is that if your flight is affected, you may be able to change your itinerary without paying a change fee.
Airlines offering travel waivers
American Airlines
American Airlines has issued a waiver for travel to, from or through the following airports:
- Baltimore (BWI)
- Boston (BOS)
- Hartford (BDL)
- New York JFK (JFK)
- New York LaGuardia (LGA)
- Newark (EWR)
- Philadelphia (PHL)
- Providence (PVD)
- Washington Dulles (IAD)
- Washington Reagan National (DCA)
- White Plains/Westchester County (HPN)
The waiver applies to:
- Tickets purchased by July 16, 2026
- Original travel dates of July 17-18, 2026
- New travel completed by July 22, 2026
It also includes Basic Economy tickets, which is a nice perk.
Delta Air Lines
Delta’s waiver covers customers traveling to, from or through:
- Newark (EWR)
- White Plains (HPN)
- New York JFK (JFK)
- New York LaGuardia (LGA)
The waiver applies to travel between July 16-18. Tickets must be reissued by July 21.
United Airlines
United’s waiver currently covers travel on July 18-19 through:
- Hartford (BDL)
- Boston (BOS)
- Baltimore (BWI)
- Washington Reagan National (DCA)
- Newark (EWR)
- Washington Dulles (IAD)
- New York LaGuardia (LGA)
- Philadelphia (PHL)
- Providence (PVD)
JetBlue
JetBlue is waiving change and cancellation fees for flights on Saturday, July 18 to or from:
- New York JFK (JFK)
- New York LaGuardia (LGA)
- Newark (EWR)
- White Plains (HPN)
Customers can rebook for travel through July 23 if their original ticket was purchased before July 17. Travelers whose flights are canceled can also request a refund to their original form of payment.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest’s advisory includes:
- Baltimore (BWI)
- Boston (BOS)
- Hartford (BDL)
- Long Island/Islip (ISP)
- New York LaGuardia (LGA)
- Philadelphia (PHL)
- Providence (PVD)
- Washington Reagan National (DCA)
Eligible customers can rebook or fly standby within 14 days of their original travel date without paying a fare difference, provided they travel between the same city pairs.
Air Canada
Air Canada has issued flexible ticketing policies for several airports affected by thunderstorms and air traffic control initiatives, including:
- Boston (BOS)
- Newark (EWR)
- New York LaGuardia (LGA)
- Philadelphia (PHL)
The airline has also issued advisories for Montréal (YUL), Ottawa (YOW) and Toronto Billy Bishop (YTZ), where thunderstorms could impact operations.
Expect delays even if it’s sunny where you are
One thing many travelers don’t realize is that your airport doesn’t need bad weather for your flight to be delayed.
Thunderstorms in busy airspace around New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington can ripple throughout the national air traffic system. Aircraft, flight crews and gates all get out of position, creating delays that can last long after the storms move through. That’s why flights across the country can be affected even if the weather at your departure airport looks perfect. The FAA says weather remains the leading cause of flight delays nationwide.
My advice
If you’re flying this weekend:
- Check your airline’s app before leaving for the airport.
- If you’re eligible for a travel waiver and your schedule is flexible, consider changing to an earlier or later flight before everyone else does.
- Pack essentials, medications and chargers in your carry-on in case you get stranded.
- If you’re connecting through New York, Boston, Philadelphia or Washington, expect possible delays even if your first flight departs on time.
As always, I recommend enabling push notifications from your airline and using a flight tracking app like Flighty or FlightAware so you’ll know about delays as soon as they’re posted.
Have a flight this weekend? Let me know in the comments if you’re seeing delays or if your airline helped you rebook.
