Major U.S. carriers moved quickly on 22 January 2026 to roll out change-fee waivers ahead of Winter Storm Fern, a sprawling weather system forecast to hammer a corridor from Texas to the Carolinas and up the Mid-Atlantic between 23 and 25 January. Delta, American, United and Southwest all published flexible-rebooking policies covering dozens of airports, including Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, Atlanta and Charlotte, with some carriers already hinting that Boston and the New York metro area could be added if the storm tracks farther north. (thetraveler.org)
The National Weather Service warns that Fern will combine arctic temperatures with heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain—conditions that routinely trigger ground stops and de-icing delays. Industry analysts note that airlines are entering the storm with lean staffing and high aircraft utilization, leaving little slack to recover once cancellations begin cascading through the network. Early-week snow in the Northeast had already forced carriers to cancel several hundred flights, underscoring schedule fragility at the height of winter.
For business-travel and mobility managers, the operational advice is clear: encourage travelers to act before the disruption hits. Under the waivers, customers can generally move trips by several days without incurring change fees or fare differences, provided they keep the same origin, destination and cabin class. Re-issuing tickets early also frees scarce seats for travelers who have no choice but to fly during the storm window.
![Airlines Issue Broad Waivers as Winter Storm “Fern” Threatens Key U.S. Hubs]()
Corporate travel teams should refresh traveler-tracking dashboards, remind employees of duty-of-care check-in protocols and—where possible—shift critical meetings to virtual platforms. Travelers should be briefed on DOT refund rules: even during weather events, passengers are entitled to a cash refund if a flight is canceled and they choose not to travel. Understanding the difference between “controllable” and “uncontrollable” delays is key to knowing when meal vouchers or hotel accommodation may be claimed.
While you’re sorting out new flight times, don’t overlook documentation: if a reroute suddenly sends an employee through Canada or Europe, visa or ESTA requirements can change overnight. VisaHQ’s platform quickly clarifies entry rules, processes emergency visas, and can even arrange expedited passport renewals—often in 24 hours—helping teams avoid a paperwork snag on top of a weather delay. Explore country-specific guidance at https://www.visahq.com/united-states/ before confirming any revised itinerary.
International connections will also feel the pinch. Aircraft and crews stuck in Dallas or Atlanta ripple outward, affecting onward flights to Europe, Asia and Latin America. Mobility programs moving assignees or dependents this weekend should evaluate re-routing options or plan for extended layovers. Carriers have hinted that waiver windows could be extended if Fern lingers, so monitoring airline alert pages and mobile apps multiple times per day is advisable.
The National Weather Service warns that Fern will combine arctic temperatures with heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain—conditions that routinely trigger ground stops and de-icing delays. Industry analysts note that airlines are entering the storm with lean staffing and high aircraft utilization, leaving little slack to recover once cancellations begin cascading through the network. Early-week snow in the Northeast had already forced carriers to cancel several hundred flights, underscoring schedule fragility at the height of winter.
For business-travel and mobility managers, the operational advice is clear: encourage travelers to act before the disruption hits. Under the waivers, customers can generally move trips by several days without incurring change fees or fare differences, provided they keep the same origin, destination and cabin class. Re-issuing tickets early also frees scarce seats for travelers who have no choice but to fly during the storm window.
Corporate travel teams should refresh traveler-tracking dashboards, remind employees of duty-of-care check-in protocols and—where possible—shift critical meetings to virtual platforms. Travelers should be briefed on DOT refund rules: even during weather events, passengers are entitled to a cash refund if a flight is canceled and they choose not to travel. Understanding the difference between “controllable” and “uncontrollable” delays is key to knowing when meal vouchers or hotel accommodation may be claimed.
While you’re sorting out new flight times, don’t overlook documentation: if a reroute suddenly sends an employee through Canada or Europe, visa or ESTA requirements can change overnight. VisaHQ’s platform quickly clarifies entry rules, processes emergency visas, and can even arrange expedited passport renewals—often in 24 hours—helping teams avoid a paperwork snag on top of a weather delay. Explore country-specific guidance at https://www.visahq.com/united-states/ before confirming any revised itinerary.
International connections will also feel the pinch. Aircraft and crews stuck in Dallas or Atlanta ripple outward, affecting onward flights to Europe, Asia and Latin America. Mobility programs moving assignees or dependents this weekend should evaluate re-routing options or plan for extended layovers. Carriers have hinted that waiver windows could be extended if Fern lingers, so monitoring airline alert pages and mobile apps multiple times per day is advisable.
