American, Delta, Southwest And United Airlines Take Action To Protect Travelers From Record-Breaking Winter Storm Offering Free Changes And Rebooking Flexibility For Disrupted Flights

Published on January 22, 2026

As a powerful winter storm sweeps across the U.S., major airlines like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines are stepping in to provide much-needed flexibility for travelers. With hazardous conditions expected, including freezing rain, sleet, and ice accumulation from Texas to the Northeast, these airlines are waiving change fees and offering rebooking options to help passengers adjust their plans. This proactive move ensures that travelers can navigate the disruptions with less stress, as the airlines work to minimize the impact of severe weather on their operations and provide smoother travel experiences during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

U.S. airlines are taking proactive steps to help travelers manage potential disruptions caused by an impending winter storm expected to affect a significant portion of the country later this week and into the weekend. In preparation for the storm, which is predicted to bring freezing rain, sleet, and ice accumulation from Texas to the Northeast, major carriers including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines are waiving change fees for impacted customers.

The forecast indicates that the storm will severely impact travel across the Plains, Southeast, and Northeast, with particularly adverse conditions expected in Texas, including major airports and travel hubs in the Southeast, such as Atlanta, and extending into the Northeast. As these weather conditions are expected to bring dangerous travel conditions, airlines are urging passengers to take immediate action to adjust their travel plans to avoid major disruptions.

To help passengers navigate the challenging conditions, Delta Air Lines has announced that it will waive change fees for those with existing bookings. This applies to flights traveling between January 23 and January 25 for impacted customers flying through a number of airports in the affected regions. Passengers who need to adjust their travel plans can do so by visiting Delta’s website or using the airline’s mobile app. The airline has also emphasized that any customers whose flights are canceled or delayed to the extent that they miss a connection will be automatically rebooked on the next available flight, offering reassurance that customers will be prioritized in such cases.

American Airlines has also followed suit by waiving change fees for travelers flying to and from nearly 40 airports, covering a period between January 23 and January 25. The airline noted that tickets must have been purchased by January 19, and rebooking must occur by January 25 to take advantage of the waiver. While this change is beneficial for those traveling from impacted areas, American emphasized that affected customers need to make swift rebooking arrangements to avoid potential fare differences.

United Airlines is providing flexibility as well, allowing travelers to make changes to flights into and out of southern U.S. airports for the period between January 23 and January 26. Like the other carriers, the rebooked travel must be completed by January 29 to avoid changes in pricing. This approach gives customers additional time to adjust their travel without incurring additional charges, but they are still encouraged to act promptly to ensure that they avoid complications due to fluctuating schedules.

Southwest Airlines has issued a travel advisory, addressing the weather-related disruptions across several U.S. airports between January 23 and January 26. Similar to other carriers, Southwest is providing affected passengers with options to change their plans without incurring extra charges, offering a lifeline to those whose travel may otherwise be delayed or canceled due to the storm’s impact.

As the storm approaches, it is expected that more airlines will follow the example set by American, Delta, United, and Southwest in offering fee waivers and schedule flexibility. Passengers who may be affected by the storm are strongly encouraged to check their flight status regularly, staying up to date on any potential cancellations, delays, or route changes. Airlines are advising passengers to monitor weather forecasts and remain in contact with their airlines to confirm if their scheduled flights are still operating on time, as travel conditions may change quickly. Airlines are also encouraging passengers to consider rebooking in advance, as wait times and call volumes are likely to be high as more travelers seek to adjust their flights.

Travelers planning to fly this weekend or later in the week are urged to stay informed about weather conditions and monitor airline updates closely. This will help minimize the impact of the storm and give passengers the flexibility to make informed decisions about their travel arrangements. With the winter storm posing a significant threat to air travel, airlines are working hard to offer as much flexibility as possible to their customers to ensure they can travel safely and with minimal disruption.