The holidays are here and, somehow, a nasty winter storm is coming just in time.The National Weather Service warns that “dangerous travel is expected for many areas.”Flight cancellations and delays are expected across the country, and some have already begun out west. Multiple airlines are already out offering waivers to change your flight without a fee to avoid bad weather.For many, that means bypassing cities expected to get hit hard, like Chicago. For many others, it meant trying to get out of town earlier.“We’ve been here for 23 years and it’s by far the busiest we’ve ever seen it,” Ron, who was waiting at the airport along with his wife Tina, said. Travelers are rebooking flights and rushing to their destinations before winter weather ruins their travel plans.”Change your flights. Leave today. Or at best, first thing in the morning. But I couldn’t leave in the morning. There were no flights,” Gloria Miller, a traveler from Tennessee, said.It’s already the third-busiest travel year since AAA began tracking in 2000.According to AAA, they project nearly 113 million people will travel at least 50 miles between Friday and Jan. 2.AAA also says air travel alone will see a 14% percent increase compared to last year, as well as a 23% increase in overall travel this holiday season.”It was bumper to bumper. It was like a parking lot,” Tina said.If you or a loved one are traveling, the team at flight-tracking website FlightAware suggests downloading your airline’s mobile app to see what cities are affected. That way you will also be first in line to make your own changes.”Just about every carrier across the U.S. has a travel waiver issued. That waiver entitles you to make changes yourself. So, if you think you can get out before the system hits your area or delay, maybe go on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day,” Kathleen Bangs, spokesperson for FlightAware, said. Katy Nastro, spokesperson for Scott’s Cheap Flights, said if your flight is canceled, airlines are obligated by federal law to provide a refund if you request it. She suggests always asking for options.”Sometimes you are able to get put on another carrier’s flight. Now, this is up to the discretion of your airline, but they have interline agreements,” Nastro said. Hopefully, with tips and a little luck, travelers will make it home for the holidays.“I’m going to get home. The kids are happy. I’ll be home for Christmas,” Miller said.At OIA, travelers are urged to get there three hours early, and if you plan to park, keep an eye on garages, as they can fill up quickly. Some more suggestions from the experts we spoke to:Some airlines no longer operate a phone line or only respond online. Your best bet is to check their website to see how to get in touch with them.Reaching out via their social media may even elicit a faster response.
ORLANDO, Fla. —
The holidays are here and, somehow, a nasty winter storm is coming just in time.
The National Weather Service warns that “dangerous travel is expected for many areas.”
Flight cancellations and delays are expected across the country, and some have already begun out west.
Multiple airlines are already out offering waivers to change your flight without a fee to avoid bad weather.
For many, that means bypassing cities expected to get hit hard, like Chicago. For many others, it meant trying to get out of town earlier.
“We’ve been here for 23 years and it’s by far the busiest we’ve ever seen it,” Ron, who was waiting at the airport along with his wife Tina, said.
Travelers are rebooking flights and rushing to their destinations before winter weather ruins their travel plans.
“Change your flights. Leave today. Or at best, first thing in the morning. But I couldn’t leave in the morning. There were no flights,” Gloria Miller, a traveler from Tennessee, said.
It’s already the third-busiest travel year since AAA began tracking in 2000.
According to AAA, they project nearly 113 million people will travel at least 50 miles between Friday and Jan. 2.
AAA also says air travel alone will see a 14% percent increase compared to last year, as well as a 23% increase in overall travel this holiday season.
“It was bumper to bumper. It was like a parking lot,” Tina said.
If you or a loved one are traveling, the team at flight-tracking website FlightAware suggests downloading your airline’s mobile app to see what cities are affected. That way you will also be first in line to make your own changes.
“Just about every carrier across the U.S. has a travel waiver issued. That waiver entitles you to make changes yourself. So, if you think you can get out before the system hits your area or delay, maybe go on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day,” Kathleen Bangs, spokesperson for FlightAware, said.
Katy Nastro, spokesperson for Scott’s Cheap Flights, said if your flight is canceled, airlines are obligated by federal law to provide a refund if you request it. She suggests always asking for options.
“Sometimes you are able to get put on another carrier’s flight. Now, this is up to the discretion of your airline, but they have interline agreements,” Nastro said.
Hopefully, with tips and a little luck, travelers will make it home for the holidays.
“I’m going to get home. The kids are happy. I’ll be home for Christmas,” Miller said.
At OIA, travelers are urged to get there three hours early, and if you plan to park, keep an eye on garages, as they can fill up quickly.
Some more suggestions from the experts we spoke to:
- Some airlines no longer operate a phone line or only respond online. Your best bet is to check their website to see how to get in touch with them.
- Reaching out via their social media may even elicit a faster response.
