Flight cancellations are likely this weekend as a massive winter storm is expected to cripple much of the U.S.

American Airlines is rolling out updates to its app and website that aim to make it easier for travelers to cope with disruptions.

As a winter storm approaches this weekend, many travelers may be wondering what happens if their flight is delayed or canceled because of weather.

Air travel disruptions continued Thursday as officials warned that cancellations and delays could persist even after the end of the government shutdown. More than 1,000 U.S. flights were canceled as of 5 p.m. ET, according to the tracking site FlightAware.

As a winter storm draws closer to Atlanta, some flights for Friday and Saturday have already been cancelled. More are expected through the weekend.

The winter storm stretches over 2,000 miles from New Mexico and Texas all the way to Maine. Several states have declared a state of emergency.

Storm expected to hit from south Rockies and plains into mid-south on Friday before spreading east