Travel Waivers Issued as Storms Head for Hawaii and Florida
Update 2: And here's United's NYC waiver:
Update: Airlines have begun to add waivers for New York City-area airports as well. American Airlines' waiver is here and below:
For those that missed their calendar reminder, June 1 kicked off "hurricane season" in the Atlantic. However, September is usually the busiest month for tropical systems. The tropics are kicking off the month with a bang. Two systems are currently taking aim at the US: Hurricane Madeline is just off the Hawaiian Big Island, while Tropical Depression 9 is headed for Florida.
Compared to the 17 hurricanes that made landfall from 2002-2008, the US has luckily only experienced three hurricane landfalls since 2009. So, it's noteworthy that we have two potential hurricane landfalls coming in the next two days.
HURRICANE MADELINE
The Hawaiian Big Island is bracing itself for Hurricane Madeline, which is expected to make its closest pass around 8pm local time Wednesday night. Last night, the Hawaii governor declared a state of emergency as a precautionary measure.
Airline Travel Waivers
If you're traveling from, to or through the Big Island Wednesday or Thursday, check below to see if your airline has issued a travel waiver. If so, you might be able to change your flights with no fees. Click on the airline name for more details about the airline's current waiver.
Original travel dates: August 30 – September 1, 2016
Airports covered: Kona, Hawaii (KOA)
Original travel dates: August 31 – September 1, 2016
Airports covered:
- Hilo, Hawaii (ITO)
- Honolulu, Hawaii (HNL)
- Kahului, Maui, Hawaii (OGG)
- Kona, Hawaii (KOA)
- Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii (LIH)
Original travel dates: August 31 - September 1, 2016
Airports covered:
- Kahului, Maui, Hawaii (OGG)
- Kona, Hawaii (KOA)
Original travel dates: August 31 – September 1, 2016
Airports covered:
- Hilo, Hawaii (ITO)
- Kona, Hawaii (KOA)
Original travel dates: August 31 – September 1, 2016
Airports covered:
- Hilo, HI (ITO)
- Kahului, HI (OGG)
- Kona, HI (KOA)
TROPICAL DEPRESSION 9
Currently churning in the Gulf of Mexico, this system is expected to strengthen into a strong tropical storm — or maybe even a minor hurricane — before making landfall in the Florida panhandle Thursday night. While the winds may not be too strong, the main impact from this storm will likely be the large amount of rainfall the storm is expected to drop on Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas over the next few days.
Airline Travel Waivers
If you're traveling from, to or through the Southeast over the next few days, check below to see if your airline has issued a travel waiver. If so, you might be able to change your flights with no fees. Click on the airline name for more details about the airline's current waiver.
Allegiant Airlines [statement, but no fee waivers]
Original travel dates: September 1-2, 2016
Airports covered:
- Gainesville, Florida (GNV)
- Jacksonville, Florida (JAX)
- Tallahassee, Florida (TLH)
- Tampa, Florida (TPA)
- Savannah, Georgia (SAV)
- Wilmington, North Carolina (ILM)
- Charleston, South Carolina (CHS)
- Florence, South Carolina (FLO)
- Hilton Head Island, South Carolina (HHH)
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (MYR)
Original travel dates: September 1-2, 2016
Airports covered:
- Brunswick, GA (BQK)
- Charleston, SC (CHS)
- Destin Ft. Walton Beach, FL (VPS)
- Gainesville, FL (GNV)
- Jacksonville, FL (JAX)
- Myrtle Beach, SC (MYR)
- Panama City, FL (ECP)
- Pensacola, FL (PNS)
- Sarasota, FL (SRQ)
- Savannah, GA (SAV)
- Tallahassee, FL (TLH)
- Tampa, FL (TPA)
- Valdosta, GA (VLD)
- Wilmington, NC (ILM)
Original travel dates: September 1-2, 2016
Airports covered:
- Tampa, FL (TPA)
- Jacksonville, FL (JAX)
- Daytona Beach, FL (DAB)
- Savannah/Hilton Head, GA (SAV)
- Charleston, SC (CHS)
Original travel dates: September 1-2, 2016
Airports covered:
- Charleston, SC (CHS)
- Fort Walton Beach, FL (VPS)
- Jacksonville, FL (JAX)
- Panama City, FL (ECP)
- Sarasota, FL (SRQ)
- Savannah, GA (SAV)
- Tampa, FL (TPA)
As of publishing, the following airlines haven't released travel waivers for this storm: Alaska Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines
