This week Mother Nature ushered in the New Year by blowing her frigid breath across much of the U.S. and Canada. Winter storms carrying record snowfall and arctic temperatures descended across the U.S. Midwest and Northeast, just as post-holiday travel was winding down and business travel was getting back to speed.

More than 8,100 flights were canceled and 21,000 flights were delayed in the United States from Saturday to Monday, January 4-6, 2014, according to flightaware.com, a website that tracks air travel. In addition, Jet Blue took the unprecedented action of cancelling nearly all of their operations at four major Northeast airports – JFK, LaGuardia, Newark and Boston – citing the severe cold of the “Polar Vortex” and the FAA’s new mandates on pilot duty times. Welcome to the first (but probably not last) winter weather woes of 2014.

While we can’t control weather patterns, Covington Travel does have a proven Storm Action Plan in place to assist our travelers during times that inclement weather impacts travel.

1. We proactively monitor the weather situation. We are in contact with airlines and know what airports are expected to be affected. Airlines give us waivers to reschedule flights without penalties, so we often have the necessary information and tools in place to provide assistance even before cancellations and delays begin.
2. We identify Covington travelers who may be subject to cancellations or delays. When possible, we contact them to offer flight protection before they arrive at the airport to lines and mayhem. Offering personalized options before an actual flight cancellation occurs ensures the best solution for the traveler.
3. For clients who are in the midst of a delay, we save you time and frustration. We have special resources, not available to the public, to contact airlines and reschedule flights so you don’t have to stand in a line of 200 passengers only to find out the next three flights are now filled.
4. We’re available 24/7, regardless of weather conditions. Covington has multiple offices and remote service locations, as well as a professional after-hours emergency service available to assist our travelers worldwide, even if the inclement weather is centered on our offices.

Of course, Covington only has authority from the airlines to assist travelers who we originally ticketed and we’re not allowed to access reservations of those who booked themselves online. Having dependable travel support during inclement weather is a clear-cut benefit of using a quality travel agent – just ask all those people standing in line at the airport.