Airlines Waive Change Fees As Latest Storm Rages

Oh look, another winter storm.

In what has become a comedy of climatological calamities, Winter 2011 is at it again with another massive storm that threatens to cripple our nation’s travel infrastructure. According to the National Weather Service, the Midwest is bearing the brunt of the weather today, with snow, sleet, and freezing rain moving into the Northeast tomorrow morning before finally shoving off Wednesday night.

Needless to say, travelers can expect cancellations and delays from Kansas City to Boston, and pretty much everywhere in between. Airlines are already waiving change fees and, in some cases, fare differences. As of press time (early afternoon on Monday) some airlines had not added Northeast cities to their lists. Expect that to change as the storm approaches the region.

Click on your airline to see its change fee policy.

• AirTran
• American
• Continental (also waiving fare difference)
• Delta
• Frontier (also waiving fare difference)
• JetBlue (also waiving fare difference)
• Southwest
• Spirit
• United
• US Airways
• Virgin America (also waiving fare difference)

As always, if you’re stuck at the airport with a canceled flight, your best bet is to get in line with customer service and get on the phone. Many airlines are advising passengers to check prior to leaving home to be sure their flights aren’t canceled. The last thing you want, after all, is to arrive only to find your flight isn’t departing.