Airlines Issue Flight Waivers as Hurricane Helene Is Expected to Disrupt Upcoming Travel

The storm is expected to affect major airports in the southeast.

By Michael Cappetta Michael Cappetta

Michael Cappetta is a travel writer with over 10 years of experience in journalism and television news. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 25, 2024

Close A 3D rendering of the clouds of Hurricane Ida (Aug 28, 2021) on a topographic map of the Gulf of Mexico. Photo:

FrankRamspott/Getty Images

Hurricane Helene is forecasted to bring heavy rain, storm surge, and travel disruptions throughout the southeast, with winds potentially reaching 129 mph, The Weather Channel shared with Travel + Leisure. 

In anticipation of the oncoming storm, airlines have begun issuing travel waivers to accommodate passengers who may be impacted. This helps travelers rearrange their travel plans before a storm cancels a flight.

For example, Delta Air Lines has issued a waiver for travel between September 25 and September 27 to or from Cancun, Tampa, Orlando, and a dozen more cities. Travelers going through these airports can rebook their ticket without a change fee or fare difference.

United Airlines has a travel waiver in place for flights from September 24 through September 27 for the same cities, and travelers can also rebook without paying change fees or fare differences. 

Discount carriers such as Southwest, Frontier, and Spirit all have travel advisories in effect as well, providing added flexibility for passengers. 

“Helene will severely impact travel Thursday and Friday, then of course there’s the domino effect and catch up in the days after,” The Weather Channel Meteorologist Stephanie Abrams shared in a statement to T+L. 

Abrams says the forecast for the system tracks towards Atlanta, which is home to the world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The system may disrupt connections and cause added turbulence due to the strong winds. 

While the storm will snarl air travel, road warriors and commuters should also take caution as flooding and standing water is forecasted to make road conditions difficult. 

“Travelers should remember to never drive through flood waters and follow the advice of the National Weather Service (NWS) and Turn Around, Don’t Drown,” Abrams added. 

The severity of the storm was echoed on social media by the NWS who encouraged people in the path of the storm to immediately prepare or evacuate if required by their local government by early Thursday. 

“Helene is expected to rapidly intensify and grow in size over the eastern Gulf of Mexico,” the National Weather Service shared in a post on Facebook. “Damaging hurricane-force winds are expected along portions of the coast of the Florida Big Bend, where a Hurricane Warning is now in effect.”