U.S. carriers have rolled out extensive travel waivers as a winter storm threatens to bring heavy snow, sleet, and dangerous ice across roughly two dozen states this weekend, Reuters reported. Airlines warned the mix of severe winter conditions could disrupt airport operations, cause delays and cancellations, and complicate rebooking during one of the busier travel periods of the season.

The National Weather Service has forecast that freezing rain, sleet, and snow could make travel hazardous while causing power outages and tree damage in parts of the Southeast. Farther north, heavier snow is expected, with temperatures not seen since 2021, according to AccuWeather. Dan DePodwin, vice president of forecasting operations at AccuWeather, told Reuters, “This will likely result in thousands of flight cancellations on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.” Travel app Hopper estimates that up to 15,000 flights could face delays.

Major airlines have introduced flexible rebooking options. Southwest Airlines said it expects disruptions across parts of the South and East and is allowing customers to rebook or travel standby within a two-week window. Delta Air Lines cited possible impacts across the Southern Plains and Southeast, including its Atlanta hub, and is offering fee-free changes for eligible travelers.

American Airlines expanded similar flexibility across hubs including Dallas-Fort Worth and Charlotte. United Airlines issued waivers covering the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, the Carolinas, and the Ohio Valley, including Newark and Washington-area operations, allowing affected passengers to adjust travel without change fees or fare differences if the same itinerary and cabin are maintained. JetBlue’s waiver focuses on the Northeast, covering New York and Boston-area airports, while Frontier Airlines allows refunds for delays exceeding three hours domestically and six hours internationally. Spirit Airlines is waiving modification charges and fare differences across 13 cities for travel from January 23 to 25.

Airlines urged passengers to monitor flight status through mobile apps and websites for the fastest rebooking. Hopper said bookings for Disruption Assistance have risen 17 percent as travelers prepare for the storm. DePodwin noted that even locations far from the storm, including Denver, Chicago, and Minneapolis, could experience ripple effects across the national air travel system.