A number of airlines are waiving change fees ahead of what is expected to be a major winter storm forecast to hit the Northeast on Friday afternoon, affecting millions of people traveling after Christmas, during one of the busiest times of the year.
A winter storm warning from the National Weather Service (NWS) is in effect for New York City, New Jersey, and Connecticut from Friday afternoon through Saturday, for up to 9 inches of snow and freezing temperatures, creating the potential hazardous travel conditions, flight delays, and cancellations. 1-6 inches of snow is expected from northeastern Pennsylvania up into New England; while freezing rain and sleet, are expected south into Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia.
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and JetBlue Airways have issued fee waivers for travelers flying into a number of airports including, New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport, and Philadelphia International Airport, according to CNBC.
The big three carriers, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines, have issued travel alert for the following airports, and are allowing those whose plans may be affected, to rebook without change fees.
DELTA AIR LINES
- Airports: New York, NY (JFK), New York, NY (LGA), Newark, NJ (EWR) , Philadelphia, PA (PHL), White Plains, NY (HPN)
- Impacted travel dates: December 26-27, 2025
- Ticket must be reissued on or before: December 30, 2025
- Booked travel must begin no later than: December 30, 2025
UNITED
- Airports: Allentown, PA (ABE), Albany, NY (ALB), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA (AVP), Hartford, CT (BDL), Boston, MA (BOS), Newark, NJ (EWR), Ithaca, NY (ITH), New York, NY (JFK), Johnstown, PA (JST), New York, NY (LGA), Harrisburg, PA (MDT), Philadelphia, PA (PHL), Providence, RI (PVD), Rochester, NY (ROC), State College, PA (SCE)
- Syracuse, NY, US (SYR)
- For tickets booked before or on: December 23, 2025
- Impacted travel dates: December 26-27, 2025
- Ticket must be reissued on or before: December 31, 2025
AMERICAN AIRLINES
- Airports: Boston, MA (BOS), New York, NY (JFK), New York, NY (LGA), Newark, NJ (EWR) , Philadelphia, PA (PHL), White Plains, NY (HPN)
- For tickets booked before or on: December 24, 2025
- Impacted travel dates: December 26-27, 2025
- Ticket must be reissued on or before: December 31, 2025
For the most up-to-the-minute information, travelers should check the status of their flights frequently.
For international travelers flying on Singapore Airlines, the airline has already announced multiple cancellations for flights between New York’s JFK and New Jersey’s Newark airports, and its Singapore and Frankfurt hubs.