Hurricane Helene: Airlines Issue Travel Alerts as Storm Heads for Florida

Hurricane Helene: Airlines Issue Travel Alerts as Storm Approaches Florida

Hurricane Helene is on track to make landfall near Tampa on Thursday morning, prompting airlines to allow affected passengers to alter their travel plans without penalties.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), tropical-storm-force winds are expected to reach Florida's Gulf Coast as early as Thursday.

Helene, now a Category-2 storm, is projected to up its status to a Category-4 hurricane upon landfall. Maximum sustained winds have risen to 100 mph, classifying it as a Category 2 hurricane at present.

“Helene is moving north-northeast at 12 mph. This motion will continue but is expected to pick up speed over the next 24 hours. It will traverse the eastern Gulf of Mexico today and strike the Florida Big Bend coast tonight or early Friday,” stated the hurricane center’s advisory.

In reaction to the storm, the Department of Transportation mandates that all airlines must provide a refund for canceled or significantly delayed flights, though this does not extend to weather-related issues.

Two prominent Gulf Coast airports have declared temporary closures due to Helene. Tampa International Airport will pause commercial and cargo operations starting at 2 a.m. Thursday. Similarly, St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport plans to shut its terminal after the last flight on Wednesday, targeting a Friday reopening. Orlando International Airport remains operational, although they anticipate potential delays.

Travel Alerts by Major Airlines

In advance of the storm, numerous major U.S. airlines are granting travel waivers entitling passengers at risk to rebook their flights without fare differences. For travelers looking to change plans or recover travel expenses, options vary based on the airline and flight path, as well as any travel insurance acquired.

American Airlines has issued two travel alerts affecting flights from 16 Florida airports, among others. Passengers can rebook without fees through October 4.

Delta Air Lines covers 25 airports, allowing rebooking for impacted flights until October 4.

United Airlines has a similar advisory for 19 airports, permitting fare-free rebooking through October 4.

Southwest Airlines’ alert extends to 20 airports, allowing a two-week timeframe for fee-free rebooking.

JetBlue, Frontier, and Breeze Airways have also introduced travel alerts, enabling passengers to modify their itineraries without incurring additional charges. Spirit Airlines covers four Florida airports, allowing rebookings until October 2.

Tips to Avoid Flight Disruptions

For those flying this week, there are various strategies to minimize the chances of flight delays or cancellations due to weather problems. Utilizing NOAA’s National Forecast Map can alert travelers to potential weather-related issues up to three days in advance.

If you’re not flying through Florida, understand that weather events in one area can affect flight schedules nationwide as airlines often reuse planes for multiple routes. Book the earliest flight possible to mitigate disruption risks.

On travel day, keep an eye on your airline’s app for updates and verify your flight’s status on the flight-tracking app FlightAware to stay ahead of any potential delays or cancellations.