Flights and snowstorm

[Parkerpooh]

Do airlines ever put people on an earlier flight due to an impending snowstorm? Are they ever proactive instead of reactive?

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Don't know about a snowstorm, but it worked for us with a hurricane. A couple years ago, we were due to leave on a Sunday morning, just when a hurricane was due to hit in our area. Southwest let us fly out the day before with no penalties or anything. We went out Saturday afternoon and were able to change our Disney reservation to add an extra day, too. Worked great for us! If we had had to wait until after, we wouldn't have gotten out until Monday or Tuesday at least!

 

[PrincessJo]

I would think so as long as they have the room on the earlier flights.

 

[OKW Lover]

Do airlines ever put people on an earlier flight due to an impending snowstorm? Are they ever proactive instead of reactive?

It depends on the airline. I have recent (last week) experience with Delta. They post a "weather waiver" on their site for the affected areas. This allows you to change your flights at no cost so you can get out early or later.

You need to check your own airline to find out how it works.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Each airline will post a weather waiver. That will tell you your change options. Generally you can move up a day or two assuming you can find seats

 

[JessM]

Most airlines will, its much easier for them to get ahead of things if possible. Keep watching your airlines website, they will post if they are allowing people to rebook flights before bad weather hits. We did this with jetblue last year.

 

[hsmamato2]

yes... in the past, I have seen the forecast,and basically lived on the website...as soon as they posted a weather alert I called instantly to switch to a day ahead...the cs rep. laughed and said she hadn't even seen it yet when I called....can't remember which airline it was now,maybe Jetblue?

 

[seashoreCM]

Many airlines will not let you change your reservations to a different flight in case of impending weather and they have not yet announced a fee waiver. But the chances are excellent you will be able to have your ticket honored as-is on an earlier flight that has seats available, if you just show up at the airport.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Yes airlines are proactive. Yesterday SWA issued their travel warning for Mondays storm.

Southwest Airlines is monitoring a storm system forecasted to bring wintry conditions to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast on Monday, February 3. As winter weather conditions develop, there is a possibility that our scheduled flight service may be disrupted (delayed, diverted, and/or cancelled). Customers holding reservations for travel to/from/through the Cities listed below are eligible to reschedule their flight in accordance with our accommodation procedures

 

[Parkerpooh]

We're flying on Jet blue. There still isn't a fee waiver for Wed., although every website says 100% chance of snow storm with 30-50cms of snow. I called Jet Blue and the guy was a total jerk and spoke in a rude condescending manner. We live 3 hours from the airport. So annoying that they won't put us on a Tuesday flight proactively instead of waiting until all the flights are cancelled.

 

[sam_gordon]

Many airlines will not let you change your reservations to a different flight in case of impending weather and they have not yet announced a fee waiver. But the chances are excellent you will be able to have your ticket honored as-is on an earlier flight that has seats available, if you just show up at the airport.

Based on what? I would not just show up at the airport a day or two before my scheduled flight hoping my ticket is honored "as is".

As has been mentioned, airlines will often list on their web page whether they're allowing free changes. If there's nothing posted there, take the time and call your airline and ask about a change. The worst they're going to tell you is "no".

I would not pack and arrange a ride to the airport/pay to park in the hopes I could fly out.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Posted at jetblue.com today at 1:21 pm:

Due to the weather in the Northeast region we will waive change/cancel fees and fare differences for customers traveling on Monday, February 3, 2014 to/from the following cities:
Washington, DC (IAD)
Washington, DC (DCA)
Baltimore, MD (BWI)
Pittsburgh, PA (PIT)
Philadelphia, PA (PHL)
Newark, NJ (EWR)
New York, NY (LGA)
New York, NY (JFK)
Newburgh, NY (SWF)
Westchester County, NY (HPN)

Customers may rebook their flights for travel through Thursday, February 6, 2014 prior to the departure of their originally scheduled flight. Customers with cancelled flights may also opt for a refund. Original travel must have been booked on or before Sunday, February 2, 2014.

eta: most likely they'll worry about the next storm after the affected areas have gotten through this one

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Based on what? I would not just show up at the airport a day or two before my scheduled flight hoping my ticket is honored "as is".

As has been mentioned, airlines will often list on their web page whether they're allowing free changes. If there's nothing posted there, take the time and call your airline and ask about a change. The worst they're going to tell you is "no".

I would not pack and arrange a ride to the airport/pay to park in the hopes I could fly out.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Many airlines will not let you change your reservations to a different flight in case of impending weather and they have not yet announced a fee waiver. But the chances are excellent you will be able to have your ticket honored as-is on an earlier flight that has seats available, if you just show up at the airport.

Really poor advice.

1. If the airlines have not announced a weather waiver they will not honor that ticket. That trick expired years ago. Now they charge for everything!

2. If there is bad weather and you just show up you are liable to be trapped there with all the other masses.

This post would have been "excellent" 10 years ago, but now Completely bad advice.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Many airlines will not let you change your reservations to a different flight in case of impending weather and they have not yet announced a fee waiver. But the chances are excellent you will be able to have your ticket honored as-is on an earlier flight that has seats available, if you just show up at the airport.

Actually, the first part of this post is incorrect as well. All airlines will let you change your flight for any reason you please. You just have to pay a change fee (except for the very few airlines not yet charging this), and the difference in price.

 

[DebbieB]

Which airport are you flying from? This was just issued.

http://www.jetblue.com/JetblueAlerts/WeatherUpdate.aspx?intcmp=global_travelalert

Winter Storm Nika Fee Waiver


Last Updated: 2/3/2014 6:22:00 PM EST


Travel Agents Waiver Code: WXB6CHIP14



Due to the weather in the Northeast region we will waive change/cancel fees and fare differences for customers traveling on Tuesday, February 4, 2014 through Wednesday, February 5, 2014 to/from the following cities:
•Baltimore, MD (BWI)
•Boston, MA (BOS)
•Chicago, IL (ORD)
•Hartford, CT (BDL)
•Newark, NJ (EWR)
•Newburgh, NJ (EWR)
•New York, NY (LGA)
•New York, NY (JFK)
•Philadelphia, PA (PHL)
•Pittsburgh, PA (PIT)
•Providence, RI (PVD)
•Washington, DC (IAD)
•Washington, DC (DCA)
•Westchester County, NY (HPN)
•Worcester, MA (ORH)



Customers may rebook their flights for travel through Friday, February 7, 2014 prior to the departure of their originally scheduled flight. Customers with cancelled flights may also opt for a refund. Original travel must have been booked on or before Monday, February 3, 2014.

To rebook travel or request a refund online, click (see website).

For further assistance please call us at 1-800-JETBLUE (1-800-538-2583).Customers are encouraged to check the status of their flight online prior to leaving for the airport. Customers with web-enabled cell phones and PDAs may check flight status at mobile.jetblue.com.

 

[summermac]

Hmm, I never would have thought of this. I will have to watch for our flight next week. Thanks!