Jonas Travel: Airlines Cancel Thousands of Flights, D.C., Baltimore, Philly Suspend Transit Services

Airlines are bracing for impacts from Winter Storm Jonas, which threatens to be a blockbuster snowstorm for parts of the mid-Atlantic and East Coast. According to FlightAware, more than 6,000 domestic flights have been canceled on Friday and Saturday, many of which are due to Jonas.

Philadelphia International Airport announced via Twitter all Saturday flights will be canceled due to the winter storm.

Philly's mass transit service, SEPTA, announced Friday morning that all weekend service with the exception of the Market Frankford and Broad Street Lines would be suspended as of 4 a.m. Saturday morning. 

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announced Thursday that Metrorail, Metrobus and MetroAccess service will be suspended during the blizzard, according to a news release. At 11 p.m. Friday, the train system will be shut down and remain closed through Sunday. Bus service will be shut down at 5 p.m. Friday and the MetroAccess transit service for customers with disabilities will be suspended Friday after 6 p.m.

“This is not a storm that anyone should take lightly, and I would urge all residents to plan to get to a safe place before the storm arrives Friday afternoon,” said Metro general manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld. “The actions we are taking today are all in the interest of our customers’ and employees’ safety, and will help us return to service once the storm passes and the snow is cleared.”

(MORE: Latest Impacts from Jonas | Check the Forecast)

The Maryland Transit Administration suspended all Metro Subway service in Baltimore beginning Friday, and reduced services for the state's light rail, commuter and local busses, and mobility/paratransit. 

According to reporter Blake Hanson, American Airlines has canceled all Friday flights out of the Charlotte-Douglas airport, reports WSOC-TV.  

"We just can't fly," said Katie Cody, spokesperson for American Airlines told WSOC. "It's easier for us if it's snow but unfortunately here in Charlotte we're going to get freezing rain."

Jet Blue, Regionals, ViaAir, Air Canada, Lufthansa and Southwest Airlines all canceled Friday Charlotte flights, reports WACH FOX. 

United Airlines suspended flights from Dulles International Airport and other D.C. area airports as of Friday evening. No United Express flights will be operated at Newark Liberty International Airport Saturday, but a limited number of mainline United flights will be operated. Operations at both Dulles and Newark are expected to resume Sunday, based on weather conditions.

JetBlue released a statement saying flights will be operated on a modified schedule and a number of flights will be canceled before their scheduled departure in order to give customers time to make arrangements. As of Thursday afternoon, 70 flights have been canceled. 

Most airlines are allowing customers to reschedule flights without extra fees. Southwest Airlines released a travel advisory stating that their scheduled services on Friday and Saturday are likely to be disrupted, meaning they could be delayed, diverted and/or canceled. Travelers flying to, from, or through impacted areas this weekend are eligible to reschedule their flights. 

Delta also issued an advisory, saying people expected to travel through certain parts of the Northeast from Jan. 22 to Jan. 24 are entitled to a refund if their flight becomes canceled or significantly delayed. If the flight is not canceled, travelers may still make a one-time change to their ticket. 

Impacted airports include: 

• Hartford, CT (BDL)
• New Haven, CT (HVN)
• Lexington, KY (LEX)
• Allentown, PA (ABE)
• Harrisburg, PA (MDT)
• Scranton / Wilkes-Barre, PA (AVP)
• State College University Park, PA (SCE)
• Philadelphia, PA (PHL)
• Pittsburgh, PA (PIT)
• Williamsport, PA (IPT)
• Baltimore, MD (BWI)
• Salisbury, MD (SBY)
• Boston, MA (BOS)
• Asheville / Hendersonville, NC (AVL)
• Greensboro / Highpoint, NC (GSO)
• Raleigh / Durham, NC (RDU)
• Albany, NY (ALB)
• Binghamton, NY (BGM)
• Elmira / Corning, NY (ELM)
• Islip / Long Island / Macarthur, NY (ISP)
• Ithaca, NY (ITH)
• New York LaGuardia (LGA)
• New York Kennedy (JFK)
• Newark, NJ (EWR)
• Stewart / Newburgh, NY (SWF)
• Westchester County / White Plains, NY (HPN)
• Providence, RI (PVD)
• Knoxville, TN (TYS)
• Tri-City, TN (TRI)
• Manchester, NH (MHT)
• Charlottesville, VA (CHO)
• Lynchburg, VA (LYH)
• Newport News, VA (PHF)
• Norfolk, VA (ORF)
• Richmond, VA (RIC)
• Roanoke, VA (ROA)
• Washington Dulles, VA (IAD)
• Washington Reagan National, DC (DCA)
• Charleston, WV (CRO)
• Huntington, WV (HTS)

Airports in the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore area will see flight cancelations beginning Friday afternoon with all flights canceled Saturday, reports the Associated Press. Flights are expected to resume at noon on Sunday.

All Saturday afternoon American flights from New York's three airlines will be canceled and are expected to resume Sunday, AP also reports.

Interstate 95 in the Northeast megalopolis, Interstate 81 in the interior Mid-Atlantic region including the Shenandoah Valley, and Interstate 64 from Kentucky to Virginia are all expected to be impacted by Jonas. 

Amtrak will operate on a modified schedule in the Northeast due to the forecasted weather conditions, according to a press release. Several of the company's national services to and from the East Coast have been canceled or shortened, including: 

• Auto Train (Lorton, Virginia, to Sanford, Florida), Trains 52 & 53 will not operate Jan. 22 and 23.
• Capitol Limited (Washington, D.C., to Chicago), Train 30 will only operate between Chicago and Pittsburgh Jan. 22 and 23; Train 29 is canceled entirely on Jan. 22 and will travel from Pittsburgh to Chicago Jan. 23 and 24.
• Cardinal (New York to Chicago), Train 50 will not operate Jan. 23 and Train 51 will not operate Jan. 22.
• Carolinian (Charlotte, North Carolina, to New York), Trains 79 & 80 will operate on a modified schedule on Jan. 23.
• Crescent (New York  to New Orleans), Trains 19 & 20 will not operate Jan. 22 and 23.
• Palmetto (New York to Savannah, Georgia) Train 89 will not operate and Train 90 will operate between Washington, D.C., and New York only on Jan. 23.
• Silver Star (New York to Miami, Florida), Trains 91 & 92 will only operate between Miami and Jacksonville Jan. 22 and 23.
• Silver Meteor (New York to Miami, Florida), Trains 97 & 98 will not operate Jan. 22 and 23.