Airlines ground planes as monster snowstorm approaches
Airlines canceled hundreds of flights Tuesday as a huge snowstorm of historic proportions has begun to take heart of the nation with a thick blanket of snow.
The storm hit about three-quarters of the American New England New Mexico, said meteorologist Rob Marciano. Travelers should brace is "three, three-day event and a half," he warned.
"Traveling is probably difficult if not impossible in many areas," the National Weather Service said.
Southwest Airlines canceled 337 flights Tuesday, said spokeswoman Whitney Eichinger Monday evening - and added that the situation will be evaluated during the day.
Passengers with reservations for travel through Chicago, St. Louis, Detroit and other cities are eligible to defer their flights.
AirTran Airways has 140 flights on Tuesday cleared and canceled 38 flights of the other on Wednesday, spokesman Christopher White.
AirTran passengers through a couple dozen cities in the region - such as Chicago, St. Louis and Boston - can change your reservation without penalty.
Delta Air Lines canceled "number of flights, according to spokeswoman Heather Faulkner, who said that the situation will be updated Tuesday morning.
Before the storm, Delta issued a winter for the northern United States. Passengers traveling to the airports in 20 countries through Friday may defer their flights without penalty or get a refund if their flight is canceled or significantly delayed.
Continental Airlines will change travel to and from nearly three dozen airports, including the company's facilities in Newark, New Jersey, and Cleveland, Ohio, for regular travelers to fly on Thursday.
U.S. Airways has relaxed its conditions for a change fee for passengers scheduled to fly through Thursday and 27 cities of Portland, Maine, Akron, Ohio.
JetBlue flights and passengers in six cities and urban areas in the northeast on Tuesday and Wednesday also be able to change their plans with no fees.
United Airlines has given waiver to travel to travel to, from or through Chicago, and 17 states in the Midwest and Northeast, as well as five Canadian cities. Passengers can change their plans without fees or receive a full refund if their flight has been canceled.
American Airlines is allowing passengers scheduled to fly Monday through Thursday from more than 30 airports in the Midwest - including Chicago, Detroit and Milwaukee, Wisconsin - to change their plans without penalty.
Snowfall, especially on Tuesday, could be more than 12 inches in parts of Missouri and Illinois. Chicago-area airports are expected to monitor and prepare accordingly, authorities said.
"We really do not have any cases of adverse weather conditions, said Karen Pride, a spokesman for the Chicago Department of air transport." We need more staff. "
O'Hare International and Midway International Airports are also ready to pursue a program of assistance to passengers in case of storm leaves travelers stranded at airports. Hundreds of beds available and some concessions will remain open to accommodate the stranded passengers, Pride said.
Almost all flights from Oklahoma City Will Rogers World Airport were canceled Tuesday morning, said spokeswoman Karen Carney airport. No arrivals are expected before 10:30, Mr. Carney.