Winter storm Fern continues to wreak havoc across the United States, with more than 15,000 flights cancelled. Airlines continue to take practical measures to limit aircraft displacement and stranded passengers, as the country is battered by frigid temperatures and heavy snowfall. Airport crews are working around the clock to keep aprons and runways clear, while also minimising the risk for both aircraft, ground staff, passengers, and crew.

Airlines across the country, and internationally, have issued broad travel waivers to allow passengers to change or cancel travel plans with no penalty. This pre-emptive control, to some, may seem an overreaction; however, airlines usually take steps like these during wild weather, opting to keep aircraft grounded and passengers safe.

Wild Winter Weather

American Airlines home base of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) remains one of the hardest hit, with the airport reporting that more than 86% of all AA flights were cancelled on Saturday, January 24, the highest % when compared to any other airline at the airport (which isn’t surprising given the majority share of flights at DFW are operated by the oneworld carrier).

The airport itself continues to monitor the wild winter weather conditions, and is encouraging passengers with travel itineraries over this weekend to check on their flight status before leaving for the airport, arrive with plenty of time to check in if their flight is still operating, and be mindful of potential longer-than-usual TSA wait times.

Snow removal crews at DFW have been working throughout the weekend to clear snow and ice, with more than 70 dedicated winter operational equipment units, clearing more than 172 million square feet of pavement (including 75 million square feet, which are airside), and seven runways.

15,000 Flights And Counting

The severe winter storm has caused in excess of 15,000 flight disruptions as per FlightAware, which has outlined that more than 10,000 flights have been cancelled across the weekend through to Monday, January 26, with an additional 5,000 services expecting delays. The largest airline affected has been American Airlines, with more than 822 cancellations overall.

Southwest Airlines, the world’s largest low-cost-carrier is the second most affected, outlining that more than 570 services have been cancelled. The third most affected is Delta Air Lines, with upwards of 165 flights axed and counting.

The severity of winter storm Fern is historic, with wild weather alerts issued across the country spanning more than 2,300 miles (3,700 km), stretching as far west as New Mexico, and east to Maine. Close to half of the US population is under some type of weather alert, the most ever recorded simultaneously.

Airline Waivers

Many airlines are offering passengers the opportunity to amend travel plans for this weekend to another date without penalty, alleviating the stress on both carriers and crew and minimising the chances of aircraft travel displacement. This is common practice by airlines in such conditions. Southwest Airlines has issued its own waiver for Fern, noting passengers can change itineraries booked via select airports to another date within 14 days of original travel plans.

Delta Air Lines has also made scheduled adjustments and issued a waiver for travelers to change itineraries through Monday, January 26, with no additional cost if changed through the Delta app or via the airline’s website. With further schedule changes likely, the airline is reminding passengers to proactively check their flight status if continuing to travel.

To manage displaced travelers on cancelled flights, some airlines are also adding additional capacity on key routes, with American Airlines having added more than 6,200 seats to help minimize overall storm disruption. The majority of additional seats are available from Dallas/Fort Worth, while additional services are available from Charlotte to Chicago.

AA also has a waiver for most affected itineraries, allowing travelers to change travel plans without penalty as long as you are not changing origin, destination, or looking to change the cabin of service. Other airlines not listed likely also have waivers in place, and you are encouraged to check with your confirmed carrier if you have upcoming travel plans this weekend.