A September nor’easter will roll along America’s northeastern coast this weekend, with meteorologists warning that the powerful storm could bring some coastal flooding, up to 8 inches or more of rainfall, and wind gusts up to 50 mph in select areas.
Besides the inclement weather, the storm is also expected to have knock-on effects for travelers across the weekend, with delays and cancellations expected at airports in the region.
Thankfully, three of America’s major carriers have already announced they will let select travelers change their planned flights this weekend without paying the usual fees for doing so. Here’s what you need to know.
What’s happening?
Between now and Monday, the brunt of a seasonal nor’easter is expected to barrel along America’s northeastern coast from North Carolina to Massachusetts.
As The Weather Channel noted, select affected areas can expect high winds, heavy rain, and some coastal flooding. The storm is expected to bring average wind gusts of about 30 MPH, with some areas experiencing gusts of between 40 and 50 mph.
The storm is expected to continue strengthening on Friday afternoon into the evening, with the worst effects happening on Saturday. “Locally heavy rain and strong winds are possible over much of coastal, southern New England,” that day, The Weather Channel states. “Rain will also fall as far west as the Delaware Valley and Delmarva Peninsula, including New York City.”
Sunday should see the storm weakening, but the strong wind gusts are expected to continue through the day. By Monday, the brunt of the storm is expected to peter out over the affected areas.
Given the storm’s strength, airports in the region are also expected to see flight delays or cancellations. This means that if you have a flight scheduled to depart or arrive in the Northeast, you should check with your airline to see if the flight is still scheduled.
But if you don’t want to change your flight after it gets delayed or canceled at the last minute, select airlines are also letting travelers reschedule their trips in advance without paying the usual flight-change fees.
American, JetBlue, and United waive flight-change fees
As of this writing, three major US airlines have announced they are waiving flight-change fees for select passengers due to the storm.
American Airlines says it will waive flight-change fees for passengers who are scheduled to travel between September 25 and 27, provided they purchased their tickets by September 23. The flight change must be for travel between September 24 and 29, and only include flights that were originally scheduled to arrive, depart, or go through the following airports:
- Baltimore, Maryland (BWI)
- Bangor, Maine (BGR)
- Boston, Massachusetts (BOS)
- Hartford, Connecticut (BDL)
- Manchester, New Hampshire (MHT)
- New York Kennedy, New York (JFK)
- New York LaGuardia, New York (LGA)
- Newark, New Jersey (EWR)
- Norfolk, Virginia (ORF)
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (PHL)
- Portland, Maine (PWM)
- Providence, Rhode Island (PVD)
- Richmond, Virginia (RIC)
- Washington Dulles, Washington D.C. (IAD)
- Washington Reagan, Washington D.C. (DCA)
- White Plains / Westchester County, New York (HPN)
Full details and requirements for American’s flight-change waiver can be found here.
JetBlue says it “will waive change/cancel fees and fare differences” for select travelers this weekend, as well. Travelers’ original flights must have been for flights on September 25 through September 27, and their original flight must have been booked before September 24. However, only flights to/from the following cities are eligible:
- Boston, MA (BOS)
- Hyannis, MA (HYA)
- Long Island/Islip, NY (ISP)
- Martha’s Vineyard, MA (MVY)
- Nantucket, MA (ACK)
- New York, NY (JFK)
- New York, NY (LGA)
- Newark, NJ (EWR)
- Providence, RI (PVD)
- Westchester County, NY (HPN)
- Worcester, MA (ORH)
Full details and requirements for JetBlue’s flight-change waivers can be found here.
Finally, United says it will also waive change fees and fare differences for select flights originally scheduled between September 25 and September 27. The original ticket must have been purchased by September 23, and the new flight must be between September 23 and September 29. As with other airlines, only flights at select affected airports are eligible:
- Nantucket, MA, US (ACK)
- Hartford, CT, US (BDL)
- Boston, MA, US (BOS)
- Newark, NJ/New York, NY, US (EWR)
- New York, NY, US (JFK)
- New York, NY, US (LGA)
- Manchester, NH, US (MHT)
- Philadelphia, PA, US (PHL)
- Providence, RI, US (PVD)
- Portland, ME, US (PWM)
Full details and requirements for United’s flight-change waivers can be found here.
What about Delta and Southwest?
As of this writing, other major carriers like Delta and Southwest have not announced fee waivers for flight changes for trips that could be impacted by the nor’easter.
Travelers should watch Delta’s and Southwest’s advisory notices to see whether the airlines announce any waivers.
Alternatively, travelers can contact the airline directly to ask about their options if they want to change or cancel their flights because of the storm.
