Winter storm Harper is the first major storm of 2019, and has affected more than 2000 flights. The very rapidly moving storm brings heavy snow, ice and rain to the East Coast. Many airports are 100% closed, and all flights at most airports, coming in and out are all cancelled. The timing could not be worse as major airports across the US are suffering from TSA staffing shortages.
Over 1 000 flights in and out of Chicago’s two major airports, O’Hare and Midway, are cancelled. According to FlightAware, over 400 Sunday flights to and from Boston have also been cancelled.
Many major airlines such as American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Jetblue among others, are allowing affected passengers to re-book flights to a date as late as January 23rd, without any fee. Southwest Airlines does not have a date-change fee, and are they are allowing affected travelers to re-book flights within two weeks, without paying the difference in fare.
In Canada, the storm is affecting many flights on the East Coast. Airports such as Saint John, Moncton, and Halifax, are all affected by cancellations or delays. According to FlightRadar24, flights in and out of New Brunswick airports, particularly Saint John and Moncton, are almost all cancelled. In Fredericton, New Brunswick, where over 50 centimeters (19 inches) of snow are expected, all flights operated by Air Canada and Westjet are cancelled. Also, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, all flights up until 7pm are cancelled.
Travel advisories have been issued by airlines such as Air Canada, WestJet, and American Airlines. Airports in the US such as New York, Bangor, and Buffalo have many cancellations and delays. Air Canada has many travel advisories out for flights in and out of the East Coast. Air Canada will re-book any flights affected by the storm free of charge.
We encourage you to contact your airline, and to check your flight status.
