Severe winter weather named Storm Fern has created major trouble for air travel across the United States. Over the past few days, thousands of flights were cancelled or delayed as snow, ice, and freezing temperatures hit key airports. Delta Air Lines, one of the biggest carriers in the country, is among the most affected airlines.
The airline has now released an official statement explaining the situation and offering flexibility to passengers.
Heavy Cancellations At Delta’s Major Hubs
Winter Storm Fern caused serious operational problems at many busy airports. Delta’s major hubs were hit hard, especially in the Northeast and Eastern U.S.
Airports like New York LaGuardia, New York JFK, Atlanta, and Boston Logan saw a sharp rise in cancelled flights. On Sunday, some airports reported cancellations affecting a large portion of their scheduled arrivals and departures.
This disruption continued into Monday, making travel difficult for thousands of passengers.
Delta Air Lines Official Statement On Storm Fern
Delta Air Lines confirmed that it is closely watching the weather situation and adjusting flights as conditions change.
According to the airline, flight operations are slowly restarting in some regions where weather is improving. However, freezing temperatures and leftover snow and ice are still causing problems, especially during early morning hours.
Delta has advised passengers to check flight status before leaving for the airport using its website or mobile app.
Travel Waivers Offered For Eastern U.S. Passengers
To reduce passenger stress, Delta has extended travel waivers for customers flying through affected cities.
Passengers scheduled to travel on January 27 can rebook flights without paying extra charges if they meet certain conditions.
Cities Covered Under Travel Waivers:
- Atlanta (ATL)
- Boston (BOS)
- New York JFK (JFK)
- New York LaGuardia (LGA)
- Newark (EWR)
- Tickets must be reissued by January 31, and the new booking must be in the same cabin class.
Boston Logan Becomes Delta’s Worst Hit Airport
Boston Logan International Airport emerged as the most affected Delta hub at the start of the week.
More than half of the departing flights from Boston were cancelled on Monday morning. Arrivals were also heavily impacted, placing Boston among the top U.S. airports facing disruptions.
Since Delta operates a large number of flights from Boston, the weather impact there created a chain reaction across its network.
How Other Airlines Are Coping With The Storm
Delta is not alone in facing disruption. Other major U.S. airlines are also struggling due to Storm Fern.
American Airlines reported the highest number of cancellations over the weekend, mainly because of issues at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. JetBlue, Southwest, United, and regional airlines also faced widespread delays and cancellations.
Overall, thousands of flights within and outside the U.S. were cancelled, though the numbers are expected to slowly come down as weather conditions improve.
Expert View: Why Winter Storms Cause So Many Cancellations
Winter storms affect aviation in many ways:
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Runways become icy and unsafe
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Aircraft need extra de-icing time
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Crew schedules get disrupted
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Connecting flights get delayed
Even one major airport shutdown can disturb flight schedules nationwide. Storm Fern is a reminder of how weather remains one of aviation’s biggest challenges.
What Passengers Should Do Right Now
Travel experts advise passengers to:
- Check flight status regularly
- Avoid reaching the airport too early
- Use airline apps for real-time updates
- Rebook early if eligible for waivers
Planning ahead can reduce stress during weather-related disruptions.
Conclusion
Winter Storm Fern has caused one of the most disruptive travel periods this season. Delta Air Lines, along with other major carriers, continues to manage cancellations while prioritising passenger safety. With travel waivers in place and weather slowly improving, flight operations are expected to stabilise in the coming days. Passengers are advised to stay alert, flexible, and informed.