As teams closely monitor Winter Storm Fern, Delta Airlines is advising customers traveling in affected areas this weekend to consider moving their flights to earlier or later times to avoid anticipated cancellations. Starting January 24, 2026, at 5:30 AM, Delta has begun making necessary schedule adjustments due to the winter storm, resulting in additional flight cancellations, particularly affecting Atlanta and the East Coast, including major hubs in Boston and New York City.
Significant ice accumulation is predicted to impact Atlanta on Sunday, January 25, while the Northeast is expected to experience substantial snowfall beginning Sunday afternoon. In response to these conditions, winter storm waivers are in effect through Monday, January 26. These waivers provide customers with the flexibility to adjust their travel plans at no additional cost via the Delta app or at Delta.com.
Delta is committed to minimizing disruptions for its customers during Winter Storm Fern by taking proactive measures. This includes canceling flights in advance of scheduled departures, thereby allowing customers to make alternative arrangements without being rushed at the airport. Delta is also adjusting staffing levels by deploying additional reserve pilots and flight attendants, as well as relocating experts from colder regions to assist with de-icing and baggage operations at several Southern airports.
To facilitate quicker recovery efforts, Delta is placing aircraft out of areas affected by frozen precipitation where feasible. Once conditions improve, these aircraft will be repositioned to resume scheduled flights.
For customers whose flights are significantly delayed or canceled, Delta offers several options. The airline automatically rebooks customers on the next available itinerary, and additional changes can be made easily through the Delta app or at Delta.com. If a customer’s flight is canceled and they are not automatically rebooked, they should contact Delta promptly at the airport or through the Reservations team for assistance in finding alternative flights.
Customers traveling on a U.S. domestic itinerary who experience a flight delay of three hours or more have the right to a full refund for the unflown portion of their ticket if they choose not to fly. This also applies to international itineraries if there is a flight delay of six hours or more. In cases where a flight is canceled and the customer opts not to fly on the rebooked itinerary, Delta will initiate a full refund back to the original payment method after a 24-hour waiting period. According to Department of Transportation regulations, refunds will be processed automatically if Delta cannot rebook the trip and does not receive alternative arrangements from the customer.
For more details on refund policies, customers can visit the Refund and Reimbursement section of Delta.com.
As of Friday, January 23, at 2 PM EDT, Delta continues to monitor Winter Storm Fern and encourages customers traveling in impacted areas to consider rescheduling their flights. With schedule adjustments made to prioritize customer safety, Delta aims to notify customers of any flight cancellations as early as possible. Areas expected to see cancellations include the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, Nashville, and Raleigh-Durham. As the storm progresses eastward, further adjustments are anticipated for Atlanta and Northeastern states.
Delta's travel waivers remain in effect through January 26, and customers can check their flight status or make adjustments at no cost through the Delta app or on Delta.com.
As the winter storm system moves east, forecasts indicate significant snowfall and ice accumulation from Oklahoma to Northern Texas, starting Friday evening. To ensure customer safety, Delta is implementing flight cancellations at select airports across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Tennessee. Delta is actively adjusting staffing levels to ensure support teams are ready to assist customers during this challenging weather.
To minimize travel disruptions, Delta has issued a travel waiver for Eastern North America, which complements the previous waivers for affected areas in the central and southeastern United States. This waiver covers travel to, from, or through impacted cities. Customers are advised to verify their flight status through the Delta app or Delta.com before heading to the airport.
For those experiencing significant flight delays, Delta encourages the use of the app’s self-service standby feature to join available standby lists, providing more options to secure an earlier flight when space is available. As always, Delta is dedicated to delivering timely updates and ensuring customers are well-informed about changes to their travel plans.
For the most current information on flight statuses and travel advisories related to Winter Storm Fern, customers can receive updates directly to their mobile devices or via email by utilizing the tools available on the Delta.com website and app.