What to do if your flight gets canceled due to North Texas’ winter storm
Some Texans still have plans to travel out of North Texas airports this weekend despite the first winter storm of 2026.
The National Weather Service is predicting 1 to 5 inches of snow and sleet in North Texas this weekend. However, the most concerning factor is the one-tenth to one-half of an inch of predicted ice accumulations, which could cause damage to trees, power lines and roads.
TxDOT strongly discourages travel when snow or ice is on the road, and the same goes for airports.
Fort Worth-based American Airlines and Dallas-based Southwest Airlines have issued travel advisories for fliers out of Dallas-Fort Worth and Dallas Love Field Airports. During inclement weather, the airlines allow travelers to change their flight for free.
How are North Texas Airports preparing for inclement weather?
DFW Airport told the Star-Telegram their teams are prepared to treat roads and bridges as well as runways to keep everywhere operational despite inclement weather.
Dallas Love Field Airport is equipped with snowplow sweepers and Multihogs to clear all walkways, roadways, taxiways and runways. Travelers who may get stuck at the airport for an extended period of time will have access to cots and blankets as well as concessions.
When do flights get canceled?
The FAA and airlines work closely together to decide and manage flight schedules.
According to the FAA, weather accounts for 75 percent of all flight delays. And unfortunately, winter weather is the type of weather that causes the most delays.
Extreme cases of snow and ice on runways, thunderstorms, fog and strong winds are all reasons to delay or cancel a flight.
“Our team monitors surface temperatures and conducts friction tests on the runways,” a Dallas Love Field spokesperson told the Star-Telegram. “FAA Air Traffic Control will determine if the skies and runways are unsafe for operations based on the friction test results and weather reports.”
Fliers can check FAA’s DFW Airport and Dallas Love Field pages for updates on delays and cancellations.
How can DFW travelers plan ahead for adverse weather?
North Texas airports advise travelers to plan ahead for adversity during inclement weather.
- Arrive at least two hours before scheduled departure time.
- Check directly with airlines, not the airport, for flight updates, delays and cancellations.
- Monitor airport social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) for live updates.
- Pack patience as driving into the airport may be trafficky due to slippery conditions.
How travelers can change flights to avoid weather cancellations
Southwest customers flying out of Love Field during winter weather, who booked their flights through Southwest, can change trips online or through the Southwest mobile app ahead of time, free of charge.
- Choose another flight within 14 days of the originally booked trip.
- Customers can also choose to travel stand by when changing flights.
If a Southwest flight gets significantly delayed (three or more hours for domestic flights) or cancelled, customers are eligible for a full refund if they decide not to rebook and travel.
American Airlines customers flying out of DFW between Jan. 23 and Jan. 26 who booked their tickets before Jan. 19, 2026, are also eligible to change their flight online.
- Must be same origin and destination cities.
- Changes must be booked by Jan. 26.
- Rebook between Jan. 21 and Jan. 29.
This story was originally published January 22, 2026 at 2:11 PM.