The East Coast will receive its first nor’easter of the season this weekend and it’s expected to cause flight delays at major airports.
The National Weather Service announced that a low pressure moving northward will cause heavy rains, high winds, flooding, and in some parts of upstate New York and northern New England, possibly snow that could result in ice.
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Airports in the area have warned passengers to check their flights for delays and cancellations. The airports that will be most affected are JFK, Newark, Boston, LaGuardia, and Nantucket.
In expectation of the nor’easter, seven airlines are offering travelers an opportunity to change their flights for free.
Alaska Airlines is allowing customers to change or cancel their trip if their travel takes them to Boston, Newark, JFK, or La Guardia today. Travelers can change their travel dates to October 26-November 5 for free, though additional taxes may apply. For those who wish to cancel their trip, the value will be deposited as a credit to your Alaska Airlines account.
American Airlines will waive the flight change for travelers going to, through, or from JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Stewart Newburgh, and White Plains/Westchester County if travelers bought their ticket by October 26. Travelers can change their travel date to October 26-30 but cannot change their origin or destination city. Those whose trips are eligible for this free waiver will see an option called “change trip” in the toolbar on the American Airlines website.
JetBlue allows customers to rebook their flights for travel through October 30, whether online or by calling JetBlue prior to the original flight time. The travel must have been booked before or on October 25, and it only applies to the following airports: Boston, JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Newburgh, Providence, Westchester County, and Worcester. It’s important to note that travelers with canceled JetBlue flights can also receive a refund.
United is providing free flight changes today for travelers going to or leaving from Newark, JFK, LaGuardia, and White Plains. The fee waiver will cover flights departing on or before October 30 as long as the rescheduled ticket includes the same class and cities as on the original ticket.
West Jet will cover change fees on rescheduled flights to and from Boston and LaGuardia on October 27. Their website suggest travelers do this by calling WestJet flights at 1-888-937-8538 or WestJet Vacations at 1-877-737-7001.
Delta’s weather waiver will cover JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Stewart, and White Plains on flights occurring today. Travelers can change their flight on Delta.com but must reschedule their flight to occur before October 30. Original tickets must have been purchased before October 25.
Southwest Airlines has a “no change fees” policy so travelers are never charged fees for changing their itinerary. They’ll only pay the cost in fare difference, so those flying in the affected airports this weekend can easily change their flights – or any other time for that matter.