Delta to cancel flights ahead of expected snow storm in Minneapolis-St. Paul
Delta is canceling flights at Midwest airports, including its Minneapolis-St. Paul hub, ahead of expected significant snow and winds starting Saturday evening through Sunday, the airline said Friday.
The airline said it is processing cancellations to ensure the safety of customers and crew as forecasters predict major winter weather impacts across the region.
According to FlightAware, at least 199 flights scheduled to depart the Bloomington-based airport on Sunday have been canceled, along with 190 scheduled arrivals.
Travelers at MSP on Friday spent a long time standing in lines and refreshing flight apps. Behind the counters, airline agents worked overtime to find seats ahead of the storm.
Local travel expert Kyle Potter, with Thrifty Traveler, says the move is "Delta's way of limiting disruptions and resetting once the weather clears."
Delta said flexible rebooking options are available for travelers whose flights go to, from, or through affected airports, allowing them to move their travel outside the weather window. The airline said it will automatically rebook affected customers to the next available flight.
Delta said it is closely monitoring weather forecasts to determine what additional schedule adjustments may be needed.
The airline encouraged travelers to use its app or website for rebooking, noting that customers have access to the same flight options available to reservation agents.
Southwest Airlines says some of its flights to and from the Bloomington-based airport on Saturday and Sunday may be delayed due to the storm. Officials with the company said people with tickets for either day can keep their existing reservation, rebook or travel standby within two weeks of their original date of travel without paying a change in airfare.
Travelers with Southwest whose flights are canceled or "significantly" delayed may be eligible for a refund, according to officials.
Sun Country Airlines said travelers who bought tickets with them to or from MSP Airport, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport or Appleton International Airport in Wisconsin to rebook at no additional cost. The waiver applies to Sunday flights booked before Thursday and new travel dates must be within a week of the original booking.