Delta Air Lines is adjusting its flight operations in response to Winter Storm Fern, which has brought freezing temperatures and precipitation across several regions of the United States. The airline reported that flights at airports in the Ohio and Tennessee Valley regions began resuming on Sunday evening as weather conditions improved. However, ongoing below-freezing temperatures in Atlanta and lingering precipitation at some Northeast airports may affect Monday morning departures.
Delta stated that it is operating a reduced schedule as winter weather persists, with teams actively monitoring conditions at its largest hub in Atlanta and throughout the Northeast. “We intend to operate a reduced schedule subject to real-time frozen precipitation and afternoon storm conditions,” Delta said Sunday morning.
The airline has issued travel waivers allowing customers to adjust their plans without additional fees using the Delta app or website. These waivers remain available through Monday, January 26, covering affected areas.
Proactive measures have included enacting flight cancellations ahead of scheduled departures to give customers more flexibility, adjusting staffing by relocating experts from cold-weather hubs to support deicing and baggage operations at Southern airports, and repositioning aircraft out of areas expecting frozen precipitation for faster recovery once weather improves.
Delta automatically rebooks passengers whose flights are significantly delayed or canceled but advises those not automatically rebooked to contact the airline via airport staff, phone, or the messaging option in the app for alternative arrangements. Customers experiencing a domestic delay of three hours or more—or an international delay of six hours or more—who choose not to fly are eligible for a full refund on the unused portion of their ticket including ancillary fees. If a flight is canceled and customers do not take a rebooked itinerary, Delta will initiate an automatic refund after 24 hours.
As forecasts continue to predict snow and ice across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Atlanta’s hub, and into the Northeast over several days, Delta emphasizes safety as its priority while making necessary schedule adjustments. The company encourages travelers to monitor their flight status closely through its app or website before heading to the airport.
Customers can also use self-service features such as standby lists within the Delta app (for U.S. domestic travel) if they wish to move up their departure time when space permits.
