Airlines Announce Travel Alerts as Hurricane Helene Approaches Florida

Airlines are taking preventative steps as Hurricane Helene strengthens into a Category 1 storm. The National Hurricane Center has warned that Helene is expected to "rapidly intensify." It will create a life-threatening storm surge along the Florida Gulf Coast. In response, several airlines have issued travel advisories. They are also providing flexible options for travelers impacted by the storm.

American Airlines has issued a travel alert affecting 23 airports, 16 of which are in Florida. Passengers who bought tickets before September 23 for travel between September 24 and 27 can rebook. They can do so without paying a change fee if the new travel occurs by September 27.

Delta Airlines also released an advisory covering 17 airports, including locations in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mexico, and Cuba. The airline advises passengers to check flight status frequently. It offers rebooking without fees for those scheduled to fly between September 25 and 27. Travel is allowed through September 30.

JetBlue Airways has similarly alerted passengers flying through six airports in Florida, as well as a few others in Georgia and South Carolina. The airline is waiving change fees for passengers flying on September 26-27. They must rebook by October 2.

Southwest Airlines and United Airlines have issued warnings for several airports, including those in Florida, Mexico, and Cuba. United is allowing passengers who purchased tickets before September 23 to rebook their flights. Travel is permitted through October 4 without any change fees.

Several airports, including Tampa International and St. Pete-Clearwater, are closing temporarily as the storm approaches. Both are expected to reopen by Friday.

As airlines prepare for Hurricane Helene, travelers are advised to check flight statuses regularly. They should take advantage of flexible rebooking options to avoid disruptions.

Also Read: Alaska Airlines Faces IT Outage, Causes Major Disruption in Seattle