If you’re flying anywhere along the East Coast on Tuesday (July 28), especially through the busy Northeast corridor, prepare for possible delays, cancellations and long lines at the airport.
Major airlines have already issued travel waivers as forecasters warn that severe thunderstorms, damaging winds and flash flooding will impact the mid-Atlantic and Northeast on Tuesday and Wednesday.
According to AccuWeather, the greatest impacts are expected along the Interstate 95 corridor, including Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City and Boston. Some storms could produce damaging wind gusts, hail and isolated tornadoes, while repeated rounds of heavy rain may trigger flash flooding.
For air travelers, that could mean ground stops, delays and cancellations. Even if the weather is clear where you’re departing, your flight could still be affected if your aircraft or crew is coming from an airport in the storm’s path.
Fortunately, several airlines are offering travel waivers, allowing eligible passengers to change their flights without paying change fees.
Airlines issuing travel waivers
American Airlines is waiving change fees for eligible customers traveling on July 28 through or to Baltimore (BWI), Charlotte (CLT), New York Kennedy (JFK), LaGuardia (LGA), Newark (EWR), Philadelphia (PHL), Washington Dulles (IAD), Washington Reagan (DCA) and White Plains (HPN). Customers who purchased tickets by July 26 can rebook travel between July 27 and July 30.
Delta Air Lines has issued a waiver for travel through Newark (EWR), White Plains (HPN), JFK and LaGuardia (LGA) for July 27-28. Eligible travelers can rebook through July 31 without paying a fare difference if traveling in the same cabin and meeting the airline’s conditions.
United Airlines is offering a waiver for customers traveling July 28 through Baltimore (BWI), JFK, LaGuardia (LGA), Newark (EWR), Philadelphia (PHL), Washington Dulles (IAD) and Reagan National (DCA). Travelers can move their trip to July 27-30 on eligible flights without change fees or fare differences.
JetBlue has issued a weather waiver covering travel July 27-29 through Long Island/Islip (ISP), JFK, LaGuardia (LGA), Newark (EWR) and Westchester County (HPN). Customers may rebook through August 1 or request a refund if their flight is canceled.
My advice
If you’re flying Tuesday or Wednesday:
- Check your flight status before leaving for the airport.
- Sign up for your airline’s text or app notifications.
- If your schedule is flexible, consider taking advantage of your airline’s waiver to travel earlier or later.
- Avoid checking bags if possible, since irregular operations can increase the chances of luggage delays.
- Build extra time into your travel plans, especially if you’re connecting through New York, Philadelphia, Washington or Baltimore.
Weather-related disruptions have a ripple effect across the national air traffic system, so even travelers flying outside the Northeast could experience delays if their aircraft or crew is coming from an affected airport.
