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As Florida braces for possible significant impacts from Hurricane Helene, Airlines issue Travel Alerts

Updated: Sep 24

With a possible Cat 3 Hurricane Helene bearing down on Florida, major airlines are issuing travel alerts to customers ahead of significant disruption.

Gov DeSantis declares State of Emergency for 41 counties as potential Hurricane Helene targets Florida

With Florida now facing the distinct possibility of a major hurricane bringing significant disruption to large parts of the state, major airlines are getting ahead of the storm and are issuing travel alerts to worried passengers.


As the National Weather Service warns that Helene will strengthen into a major Cat 3, or even possibly higher Hurricane Helene, the odds of major disruptions to air travel are increasing fast.



The NHC has warning Floridians and the large amount of visitors already in Florida, or traveling to the state in the coming days to take the potential for severe weather seriously.


Air travellers especially should be aware that disruption to flights to and from Florida wil likely see significant delays, or even cancelations as the effects of a potential hurricane rain down on the state.


In advance of the storm making landfall, airlines are already issuing travel advisories, and announcing travel waivers allowing passengers flying in or out of impacted airports to rebook without paying the fare difference.


Hurricane Helene: Airline Travel Advisories

United has issued a travel alert impacting eight airports in Florida, including Orlando (MCO) and Tampa (TPA).


Passengers who bought a ticket before Monday, September 23 for a flight traveling Tuesday through Friday, September 24 -27, to, from or through any of the listed airports can reschedule the trip with no change fees and fare differences. But, your new flight must be a United flight departing between September 22, 2024 and October 4, 2024. Tickets must be in the same cabin and between the same cities as originally booked.


Delta has issued a travel advisory covering 10 airports in Florida, including Orlando (MCO) and Tampa (TPA).


Travelers scheduled to fly through the designated airports Wednesday through Friday, September 25-27, can rebook tickets on flights for travel by Monday, September 30 in the same cabin of service as originally booked, with no change fees and fare differences.


When rebooked travel occurs after September 30, 2024, a difference in fare may apply. If travel is not able to be rescheduled within these guidelines, customers may cancel their reservation and apply any unused value of the ticket toward the purchase of a new ticket for a period of one year from the original ticket issuance.  Applicable fare difference may apply for new travel dates. Final travel must be completed by end of ticket validity.


JetBlue has issued a travel alert for 15 airports in Florida, including Orlando (MCO) and Tampa (TPA).


The airline will waive change and cancel fees and fare differences for customers traveling Tuesday and Friday, September 24-27. They can rebook for flights lup until October 4.


JetBlue has issued a travel alert for four airports in Florida, including Tampa (TPA).


The airline will waive change and cancel fees and fare differences for customers traveling Thursday and Friday, September 26-27. They can rebook for flights leaving no later than Wednesday, October 2.


Customers with cancelled flights may also opt for a refund to the original form of payment. Original travel must have been booked on or before Monday, September 23, 2024.


Southwest has issued a travel advisory covering 8 airports in Florida, including Orlando (MCO) and Tampa (TPA).


Travelers scheduled to fly through the designated airports Tuesday through Friday, September 24-27, and who want to alter their travel plans may rebook or travel standby (within 14 days of their original date of travel between the original city pairs and in accordance with our accommodation procedures) without paying additional charges.


Additionally, Customers holding reservations for a flight that is canceled or Customers who opt not to travel as a result of a significant delay may request a refund for the unused portion of their ticket. Alternatively, Customers may cancel the reservation and hold the value of the unused portion of the ticket as a flight credit that can be used to buy a future flight.


Frontier has issued a travel alert covering 6 airports in Florida, including Orlando (MCO) and Tampa (TPA).


Travelers scheduled to fly through the designated airports Thursday through Friday, September 26-27, can reschedule the trip with no change fees and fare differences.


If you cancel your itinerary, you will retain the value of your itinerary less the applicable cancel fee and certain carrier charges as a travel credit.


Spirit has issued a travel alert covering 4 airports in Florida, including Orlando (MCO) and Tampa (TPA).


Travelers scheduled to fly through the designated airports Wednesday through Friday, September 25-27, can reschedule the trip with no change fees and fare differences until October 2.


Breeze has issued a travel alert covering 2airports in Florida - Orlando (MCO) and Tampa (TPA).


Travelers scheduled to fly through the designated airports Wednesday through Friday, September 25-27, can move to the next available flight or anytime within 2 weeks (14 days) of the original flight without additional charges.


We will keep you updated with all the latest travel info as possible Hurricane Helene inches closer to Florida.



Ahead of possible severe weather slamming Florida, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued watches and warnings across the state.


Here in Central Florida, a Tropical Storm Watch is now in effect for Orange, Seminole, Lake, & Osceola Counties, which includes Greater Orlando, and all the major tourism areas including Walt Dinsey World and Universal Orlando Resort.


Impacts across Central Florida in the next 48 hours could include tropical storm-force winds, heavy rain, and possible tornadoes.



On the west coast, a hurricane watch and storm surge watch is in effect for along the Gulf Coast from Sarasota County to the Florida Panhandle, including Tampa. That means hurricane force winds are possible within 48 hours.


A storm surge watch is also in effect along much of the Florida coast, along with a tropical storm watch for parts of southwest and northwest Florida, beyond the hurricane watch area.


The National Weather Service (NWS) issued the watches early Tuesday morning, September 24, 2024.



On Monday, September 23, Florida Gov. DeSantis is urging Floridians to prepare for the storm, declaring a state of emergency for 41 of the states 67 counties.


DeSantis commented, “We will continue to monitor the storm’s path and keep Floridians updated,” he said. “Now is the time to make an emergency plan, know your evacuation zone, and be as prepared as possible for the storm.”


The state of emergency is in effect for the following counties:

Alachua, Bay, Bradford, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Okaloosa, Pasco, Pinellas, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington.


As the storm progresses we will keep you updated with the latest information.


Gov DeSantis declares State of Emergency for 41 counties as potential Hurricane Helene targets Florida

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