Airlines preemptively cancel 2,300 flights ahead of Monday storm

[Omaha Steve]

Source: USA Today

If you've got an airline ticket to travel on Monday, your flight might already be canceled. And your chances might be even worse on Tuesday.

Airlines are already cancelling flights ahead of a major snowstorm that's expected to wallop parts of the Northeast starting Monday. Nearly 2,300 flights scheduled for Monday and Tuesday had been preemptively canceled as of 9:30 p.m. ET.

Carriers are also waiving change fees for flights at dozens of airports across the region.

As of 9:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, airlines had grounded 1,338 flights for Monday and another 948 for Tuesday, according to FlightAware. United, the nation's second-busiest carrier, said it expected to halt all of its Tuesday operations at several of the region's busiest airports.

FULL story at link.


This screenshot of the USA TODAY Weather page from Sunday afternoon shows a winter storm headed toward the Northeast.
(Photo: USA TODAY Weather)


Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/todayinthesky/2015/01/25/airlines-preemptively-cancel-450-flights-ahead-of-monday-storm/22320939/

[SoapBox]

1. Yikes.

[SheilaT]

2. This is actually an improvement over what it was like

back when I was an airline employee. They'd generally wait until the last possible minute to cancel flights.

[Stephen Retired]

3. Premature ejection

You knew SOMEONE was gonna say it!

[Skittles]

4. good for them

I hope people will do as they do and take no chances

[brett_jv]

5. Hope everyone stays safe ...

[asiliveandbreathe]

6. Heed all BLIZZARD warnings -

This storm information is for Framingham Mass (weather 01701) and surrounding area including RI - check your weather by zip code -

A BLIZZARD WARNING IS ISSUED WHEN SUSTAINED WINDS OR FREQUENT
GUSTS OVER 35 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH CONSIDERABLE FALLING AND/OR
BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. VISIBILITIES WILL BECOME POOR WITH
WHITEOUT CONDITIONS AT TIMES. THOSE VENTURING OUTDOORS MAY BECOME
LOST OR DISORIENTED...SO PERSONS IN THE WARNING AREA ARE ADVISED
TO STAY INDOORS.

ALL UNNECESSARY TRAVEL IS DISCOURAGED BEGINNING MONDAY - Jan 26th - TODAY -
AFTERNOON... TO ALLOW PEOPLE ALREADY ON THE ROAD TO SAFELY REACH
THEIR DESTINATION BEFORE THE HEAVY SNOW BEGINS...AND TO ALLOW
SNOW REMOVAL EQUIPMENT TO BEGIN TO CLEAR ROADS.

As a veteran of the blizzard of "78 - this is no laughing matter..I made it home from Braintree Mass. to Holliston Mass. (they let us out late at 3pm, took 3 hours what normally would have been less than an hour) - and many cars stranded on 128 and 95. We were snowed in for 5 days..hardy New Englanders always prepared - wood for fireplace..food etc..flashlights - batteries - etc

Check in on neighbors now and through the night - don't be afraid to ask for help..be well all..

[snooper2]

8. here is a good show to watch if you are trapped inside for weeks

[FLPanhandle]

7. I'm flying to the NE this morning and all is running well so far.

Just hope it all holds off until I land.