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Airlines issue waivers as Tropical Storm Helene nears the Gulf of Mexico

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Airlines issue waivers as Tropical Storm Helene nears the Gulf of Mexico

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Travelers hoping to head in or out of Florida or around the Gulf of Mexico this week may need to rethink their plans as Tropical Storm Helene approaches. 

“Helene is expected to rapidly intensify over the eastern Gulf of Mexico and be a major hurricane when it approaches the northeastern Gulf Coast on Thursday,” the National Hurricane Center said Tuesday. 

Airlines are already issuing travel waivers, allowing impacted customers to rebook flights without penalties. However, cities, dates and terms vary widely. 

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) 
  • Orlando, Florida (MCO)
  • Tampa, Florida (TPA)

Travelers must change or cancel their flight prior to their original departure date. Their new travel dates must be no later than Sept. 30. Additional details are available on Alaska Airlines’ website.

American Airlines 

Travelers with American 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 scheduled to, through and from the following airports between Sept. 25 and Sept. 27 may rebook or cancel their flights for flight credit for free.

  • Orlando, Florida (MCO)
  • New Orleans, Louisiana (MSY)
  • Tampa, Florida (TPA)
  • Fort Myers, Florida (RSW)
  • Sarasota/Bradenton, Florida (SRQ)

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) 
  • Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida (VPS) 
  • Fort Myers, Florida (RSW) 
  • 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)

New travel must be between Sept. 24 and 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. 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) 
  • Jacksonville, Florida (JAX) 
  • Key West, Florida (EYW) 
  • Orlando, Florida (MCO) 
  • Panama City, Florida (ECP) 
  • Pensacola, Florida (PNS) 
  • Sarasota/Bradenton, Florida (SRQ) 
  • Tampa, Florida (TPA) 

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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