Check flights before heading to Metro Airport

American Airlines and Southwest Airlines are canceling hundreds of flights ahead of a winter storm forecast to hit the Northeastern United States Friday. Our updated travel policy now covers 42 airports – including our CLT, DCA, JFK, LGA and PHL hubs – and allows customers whose travel plans are impacted to rebook without penalty. The airline had eight non-stop flights scheduled from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to Charlotte on Friday well as a red-eye flight tonight, which has also been canceled.

Fees for changing flights often cost over $100, but airlines sometimes make exceptions for severe weather, when cancellations are expected. Also the ticket-reissue charge is waived for one ticket change, beginning travel as early as January 20 or as late as January 27. (TTN), New York LaGuardia (LGA), Washington’s Dulles and Reagan National airports, Charlotte, N.C. (CLT), Raleigh-Durham, N.C. (RDU) and Greensboro, N.C. (GSO).

American Airlines announced Thursday afternoon that it is canceling all flights to and from Philadelphia and Charlotte, effective immediately. The company hopes to resume some operations on Sunday. Refunds will be issued for canceled flights.

The NWS is forecasting heavy snow and high winds across the northern mid-Atlantic region, including Baltimore, Washington, Philadelphia and New York City.

Some flyers feel lucky their flights were Thursday while others say Friday was their original plan but now it’s to plan B with snow on the way.

There are a little more than 22,000 flights scheduled to, from or within the USA, according to flight tracking service FlightAware. For any cancelled flights, customers may request a refund.

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe warned of travel disruptions and power outages and saying people should “take the threat of this storm seriously”.