Airlines waive change fees as nor'easter approaches

Major US airlines have begun waiving flight-change fees for travelers whose plans may be affected by an approaching nor'easter, a common precaution carriers take ahead of severe winter weather along the East Coast.

As of Friday morning, flight disruptions tied to the storm were described as minimal for the coming Saturday, suggesting the worst effects on air travel had not yet materialized or were being managed without widespread cancellations.

Fee waivers typically allow passengers booked on affected routes to rebook their travel without incurring the usual change penalties, giving travelers flexibility to adjust plans if conditions worsen. Airlines generally issue these waivers in advance of forecast storms to reduce the strain on customer service operations and limit passenger disruption once bad weather arrives.

Nor'easters are powerful coastal storms that regularly affect the northeastern United States, often bringing heavy snow, high winds, and coastal flooding that can ground flights and snarl travel across major hub airports in the region.

Travelers with upcoming flights along the East Coast are typically advised to check with their airline directly for the specific terms of any weather waiver, including which routes and travel dates are covered, as policies can vary by carrier.