Winter Storm Blair: Airlines Issue Travel Advisories Through Monday

The biggest winter storm so far this season—dubbed Winter Storm Blair by the Weather Channel—is expected to begin late Saturday in the Central Plains and move to the Mid-Atlantic this weekend and into Monday. Forecasters are predicting hazardous travel conditions, including multiple days of heavy snow, ice and extremely low temperatures as the storm moves eastward.

A​ winter storm warning has been issued for much of Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. A winter storm warning has also been issued across portions of Montana where gusty winds and blowing snow will lower visibilities.

Areas between central Kansas and Indiana, especially along and north of Interstate 70, are likely to receive heavy snowfall. A​n ice storm warning has been issued for southern Missouri. Icing is likely from eastern Kansas into the southern Appalachians.

Air travelers may encounter flight delays and cancellations, even if they are not traveling through areas impacted by the storm. Flights in late afternoon are more likely to be disrupted.

Winter Storm Blair: Airline Travel Advisories

Major U.S. airlines are issuing travel waivers allowing passengers flying in or out of impacted airports to rebook without paying the fare difference. For consumers looking to change travel plans or recoup travel expenses, much will depend upon the airline, itinerary and, in some cases, whether a travel insurance policy was purchased.

American Airlines has issued what is by far the most comprehensive travel advisory, covering 46 airports across 16 states, and spanning 1,100 miles from Kansas to New Jersey. This alert covers flights in or out of impacted airports from Saturday to Monday, January 4-6. Passengers can rebook to travel by Thursday, January 9.

Delta Air Lines has a travel advisory covering 12 airports from Kansas to Maryland. Travelers scheduled to fly through the designated airports Saturday to Monday, January 4-6, can rebook tickets on flights for travel by Friday, January 10.

Frontier Airlines has a travel alert for passengers flying in or out of 10 airports in eight states on Sunday and Monday, January 5-6.

JetBlue Airways has issued a travel alert for four airports: Nashville (BNA), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Richmond (RIC) and Washington D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The airline will waive change and cancel fees and fare differences for customers traveling Saturday through Monday, January 4-6. They can rebook for flights leaving no later than Wednesday, January 15.

Southwest Airlines’ travel advisory currently covers 16 airports, covering an area of 950 miles from Kansas City, Missouri to Norfolk, Virginia. Passengers traveling through impacted airports from Saturday to Monday, January 4-6 have two weeks to rebook at no charge.

Spirit Airlines has a travel advisory covering flights in or out of nine airports between Saturday through Monday, January 4-6. They can be rebooked for travel by Monday, January 13.

United Airlines has issued two travel advisories. The first covers 18 airports in an area stretching roughly 1,000 miles across seven Midwestern states, from Kansas to Ohio. Passengers who were booked to fly Saturday through Monday, January 4-6, can rebook for a flight traveling through Monday, January 13.

The second covers 11 airports in the MidAtlantic region, covering an area of nearly 600 miles from Nashville to Washington D.C. Passengers who were booked to fly Sunday or Monday, January 5-6, can rebook for a flight traveling through Monday, January 13.