(This story has been updated with new information.)
As Hurricane Helene continues its steady churn toward the U.S., both travelers and airlines are keeping close watch and shifting gears.
“Helene is expected to rapidly intensify and grow in size over the eastern Gulf of Mexico,” the National Hurricane Center said Wednesday morning. “There is danger of life-threatening storm surge along the entire west coast of the Florida Peninsula and Florida Big Bend.”
While U.S. flights aren’t really seeing an impact yet Wednesday, 16% of flights to Cancun, Mexico have been canceled and another 19% have been delayed as of 11 a.m., according to online flight tracker FlightAware.
Airlines have issued travel waivers, allowing impacted customers to rebook flights along the hurricane’s path without penalties. However, cities, dates and terms vary widely.
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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.
- 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 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.
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)
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. 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)
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.
- 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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