Airlines begin canceling flights, offering rebooking ahead of Hurricane Helene
Preparations underway in the Caribbean as Tropical Storm Helene nears
High winds and rough surf was seen around the Caribbean as experts say Tropical Storm Helene will strengthen into a hurricane.
(This story has been updated with new information.)
As Hurricane Helene continues its steady churn toward the U.S., airlines are starting to cancel flights ahead of its arrival.
Already, more than 450 U.S. flights are canceled for Thursday, including most flights in and out of Tallahassee, more than half the flights in and out Tampa, and a third of the flights in and out of Fort Myers, according to online flight tracker FlightAware.
“Devastating hurricane-force winds are expected across portions of northern Florida and southern Georgia where the core of Helene moves inland,” the National Hurricane Center said Wednesday morning.”
Whenever a flight is canceled for any reason, customers are eligible for a refund, but travelers have additional options if they want to rebook travel due to the storm.
Here’s what some of America’s largest airlines are offering customers ahead of Helene’s arrival.
Alaska Airlines
Travelers with Alaska Airlines flights scheduled to and from the following airports between Sept. 25 and Sept. 27 may rebook or cancel their flights for free.
- Cancun, Mexico (CUN)
- Fort Myers, Florida (RSW)
- Orlando, Florida (MCO)
- Tampa, Florida (TPA)
Travelers must change or cancel their flight prior to its departure. Their new travel date must be no later than Sept. 30. Customers who cancel their flight will get a credit for use on future travel. Additional details are available on Alaska Airlines’ website.
American Airlines
Travelers with American Airlines flights scheduled to, through, and from the following airports through Sept. 27 may rebook their flights for free.
- Asheville, North Carolina (AVL)
- Atlanta, Georgia (ATL)
- Augusta, Georgia (AGS)
- Birmingham, Alabama (BHM)
- Charleston, South Carolina (CHS)
- Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT)
- Chattanooga, Tennessee (CHA)
- Columbia, South Carolina (CAE)
- Florence, South Carolina (FLO)
- Greenville / Spartanburg, South Carolina (GSP)
- Hilton Head, South Carolina (HHH)
- Huntsville, Alabama (HSV)
- Johnson City, Tennessee (TRI)
- Knoxville, Tennessee (TYS)
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (MYR)
- Nashville, Tennessee (BNA)
- Savannah, Georgia (SAV)
- Cancun, Mexico (CUN)
- Cozumel, Mexico (CZM)
- Daytona Beach, Florida (DAB)
- Destin / Fort Walton Beach, Florida (VPS)
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida (FLL)
- Fort Myers, Florida (RSW)
- Gainesville, Florida (GNV)
- Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (GCM)
- Havana, Cuba (HAV)
- Jacksonville, Florida (JAX)
- Key West, Florida (EYW)
- Melbourne, Florida (MLB)
- Miami, Florida (MIA)
- Mobile, Alabama (MOB)
- Orlando, Florida (MCO)
- Panama City, Florida (ECP)
- Pensacola, Florida (PNS)
- Santa Clara, Cuba (SNU)
- Sarasota / Bradenton, Florida (SRQ)
- Tallahassee, Florida (TLH)
- Tampa, Florida (TPA)
- Varadero, Cuba (VRA)
- West Palm Beach, Florida (PBI)
Travel through the southeastern U.S. must be rebooked by Sept. 28 for travel through Oct. 5. For travelers around the Gulf of Mexico, your flight must be rebooked by Sept. 27 and completed by Oct. 4 within the same fare class and cities as first booked to be eligible for waived fees. Additional details are available on American’s website.
Flight canceled or delayed? Airlines may owe you less than you’d think
Breeze Airways
Travelers with Breeze flights through the following airports between Sept. 25 and Sept. 27 may rebook or cancel their flights for flight credit for free.
- Fort Myers, Florida (RSW)
- New Orleans, Louisiana (MSY)
- Orlando, Florida (MCO)
- Sarasota/Bradenton, Florida (SRQ)
- Tampa, Florida (TPA)
- Vero Beach, Florida (VRB)
If passengers are rebooking their flight, the new travel dates must be within 14 of their original departure date for no additional charges. They can also cancel their flight for redeemable flight credit. Additional information can be found on Breeze’s website.
Delta Air Lines
Travelers with Delta flights scheduled to, through and from the following airports between Sept. 25 and Sept. 27 may rebook their flights for free.
- Cancun, Mexico (CUN)
- Daytona Beach, Florida (DAB)
- Fort Myers, Florida (RSW)
- Fort Walton Beach, Florida (VPS)
- Havana, Cuba (HAV)
- Hilton Head Island, South Carolina (HHH)
- Jacksonville, Florida (JAX)
- Key West, Florida (EYW)
- Mobile, Alabama (MOB)
- Panama City, Florida (ECP)
- Pensacola, Florida (PNS)
- Sarasota, Florida (SRQ)
- Tallahassee, Florida (TLH)
- Tampa, Florida (TPA)
- Valdosta, Georgia (VLD)
Tickets must be reissued by the end of the day on Oct. 4, completed no later than Oct. 4, and within the same fare, class to avoid differences in fare. Travelers who cannot fly by Oct. 4 may be subject to fare differences, but change fees will be waived.
Additionally, travelers headed through, into or out of Atlanta on Sept. 27 may rebook their flight by Oct. 1 for travel beginning no later than Oct. 1 for free. Fare differences may apply for travel after Oct. 1.
Customers who choose to cancel their flights will be issued flight credit valid for one year from the date the ticket was first issued. Details may be found on Delta’s website.
Frontier Airlines
Travelers with Frontier flights scheduled to, through and from the following airports may rebook without change fees, but fare differences may apply.
Flights scheduled through Sept 25:
Flights scheduled on Sept. 26 or Sept. 27:
- Fort Myers, Florida (RSW)
- Jacksonville, Florida (JAX)
- Orlando, Florida (MCO)
- Pensacola, Florida (PNS)
- Sarasota, Florida (SRQ)
- Tampa, Florida (TPA)
Travelers who choose to cancel their flights are eligible for travel credit, less any applicable cancellation or carrier fees, according to the airline. Details can be found on Frontier’s website.
JetBlue Airways
Travelers with JetBlue flights scheduled to or from the following airports between Sept. 26 and Sept. 27 may change or rebook their flights for free.
- Atlanta, Georgia (ATL)
- Charleston, South Carolina (CHS)
- Fort Myers, Florida (RSW)
- Jacksonville, Florida (JAX)
- Orlando, Florida (MCO)
- Sarasota, Florida (SRQ)
- Savannah, Georgia (SAV)
- Tallahassee, Florida (TLH)
- Tampa, Florida (TPA)
Their new flight must be no later than Oct. 2, or customers can get a full refund to their original form of payment. Additional information can be found on JetBlue’s website.
Southwest Airlines
Travelers with Southwest flights scheduled to, through and from the following airports may rebook travel or fly standby for free within 14 days of their original travel dates.
Flights scheduled through Sept 25:
- Cancun, Mexico (CUN)
- Havana, Cuba (HAV)
Flights scheduled through Sept. 27:
- Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida (VPS)
- Fort Myers, Florida (RSW)
- Jacksonville, Florida (JAX)
- Orlando, Florida (MCO)
- Panama City Beach, Florida (ECP)
- Pensacola, Florida (PNS)
- Sarasota/Bradenton, Florida (SRQ)
- Tampa, Florida (TPA)
Flights scheduled for Sept. 26 and Sept. 27:
- Atlanta, Georgia (ATL)
- Charleston, South Carolina (CHS)
- Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (FLL)
- Greenville/Spartanburg, South Carolina (GSP)
- Miami, Florida (MIA)
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (MYR)
- Nashville, Tennessee (BNA)
- West Palm Beach, Florida (PBI)
Travel must be between the same cities as originally scheduled to avoid extra charges. Customers who opt not to travel can request a refund for the unused portion of their ticket or save the credit for a future flight. Additional details are available on Southwest’s website.
Spirit Airlines
Travelers with Spirit flights scheduled to, through and from the following airports may rebook without penalty if they fly by Oct. 2.
Flights scheduled through Sept 25:
Flights scheduled between Sept. 25 and Sept. 27:
- Fort Myers, Florida (RSW)
- Orlando, Florida (MCO)
- Pensacola, Florida (PNS)
- Tampa, Florida (TPA)
Fare differences will apply for travel after Oct. 2. Additional details can be found on Spirit’s website.
United Airlines
Travelers with United flights scheduled to, through and from the following airports before Sept. 27 may rebook their flights for free.
- Atlanta, Georgia (ATL)
- Cancun, Mexico (CUN)
- Cozumel, Mexico (CZM)
- Fort Myers, Florida (RSW)
- Havana, Cuba (HAV)
- Jacksonville, Florida (JAX)
- Key West, Florida (EYW)
- Orlando, Florida (MCO)
- Panama City, Florida (ECP)
- Pensacola, Florida (PNS)
- Sarasota/Bradenton, Florida (SRQ)
- Tampa, Florida (TPA)
- Tulum, Mexico (TQO)
United will waive change fees and fare differences for travel completed by Oct. 4 within the same fare class and between the same cities as originally booked. Details are available on United’s website.
Travelers scheduled to fly on other airlines, like Allegiant, should check with their respective carriers.
Contributing: Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY
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