Winter Weather Is Disrupting Flights In The Midwest And Mid-atlantic. Here's What To Know

How airlines keep flights running smoothly during winter storms

What airlines do to prepare for winter weather and keep passengers safe

Winter weather is causing headaches for travelers in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic Wednesday, as complex storm systems move through both regions.

As of 2:30 p.m. ET, there were more than 450 U.S. flights canceled nationwide, with about 3,700 more delayed by at least 15 minutes, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware.

Travelers worried their plans may be disrupted should check with their airline about rebooking options. Many carriers issued waivers to provide extra flexibility for passengers at airports affected by the weather.

The Department of Transportation also requires airlines to refund travelers whose flights are canceled or significantly delayed if they do not accept alternative arrangements offered by the airline.

The following airlines issued waivers for Thursday's winter storm. These policies typically allow passengers at select affected airports to change their flights during a certain period without paying additional fees or a fare difference. Check with your airline for the exact terms and your rebooking options.

If your flight is canceled for any reason or delayed by more than three hours for a domestic itinerary or more than six hours for an international one, you're entitled to a refund if you choose not to travel on the delayed flight or an alternative booking offered by the airline.

The DOT has a dashboard outlining each airline's policy for additional compensation and entitlements in the event of a trip disruption.

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com.