Flight Check
Hurricane Season Guide

Hurricane tracking toward your airport?
Here's what to do.

Which airports close first, how early waivers appear, what cash refund you're owed, and the leave-or-wait decision — in plain English. Updated October 16, 2026.

Storm Impact Snapshot

Category 3+ hurricane approaching Florida/Gulf Coast

72h

When cancellations
typically begin

90%+

Cancellation rate
24h before landfall

5–7 days

Recovery time after
a major storm

48–72h

Waiver window — act in this range

100%

Refund eligibility
if cancelled

Hurricane watch issued? Do this now.

  1. 1

    Check for a weather waiver — today

    Airlines post waivers when a hurricane watch is issued, often 48–72 hours before landfall. This is your window to rebook for free. Go to your airline's 'Travel Alerts' page now.

  2. 2

    Leave before the storm if you can

    If you're in the impact zone, leaving early is almost always better. Once airports close, you could be stuck for 5–7 days. The waiver gives you free flexibility to move your return date.

  3. 3

    If you can't leave — wait for a cancellation

    A cancelled flight triggers a full cash refund under federal law. Do not accept vouchers at the gate. Say: 'I want a refund to my original payment method.'

  4. 4

    Set up flight alerts for real-time status

    Gate changes and cancellations during hurricane prep happen fast and often without direct notification. You need instant alerts.

Set up flight alerts — free

Know the moment your flight status changes — before the airline tells you.

How hurricanes affect flights — in plain English

Hurricanes are different from other weather events because they're predictable — you usually have 3–5 days of warning. Airlines use this time to preemptively cancel flights and reposition planes before the storm arrives.

Aircraft repositioning (72–48h out)

Airlines fly planes out of the impact zone before the storm arrives. This is why you sometimes see your flight cancelled days before landfall — the aircraft is being moved to safety. This triggers your full refund right.

Airport closure (24–12h out)

Most Southeast airports close 12–24 hours before landfall. Some, like TPA and FLL, close earlier due to storm surge risk. Once an airport closes, no flights in or out until conditions are safe — typically 24–48 hours after the storm passes.

Network collapse (the ripple effect)

When MCO or MIA closes, it doesn't just affect Florida passengers. Hundreds of connecting flights across the country are disrupted. A flight from Denver to Boston might cancel because the aircraft it was supposed to swap for is stuck in Miami.

Slow recovery (5–7 days)

After a major hurricane, airport infrastructure may be damaged, crews are out of position, and the backlog of stranded passengers is enormous. Recovery takes much longer than a winter storm.

Airports affected by hurricanes — by severity

TPATampa

Among the first to close — low elevation and storm surge risk make TPA particularly vulnerable. Airlines begin cancellations 72h+ before landfall.

Extreme
MCOOrlando

Major connecting hub — when MCO closes, it disrupts nationwide connections. Typically closes 48h before landfall.

Extreme
MIAMiami

Hardened infrastructure — MIA stays open longer than most FL airports. Still sees 90%+ cancellations in the 24h before a major storm.

Extreme
FLLFort Lauderdale

Located in Broward County's low-lying coast. Closes before MIA during most storms. Major Spirit and Frontier hub.

Extreme
MSYNew Orleans

Below sea level — storm surge is an existential threat. MSY and the entire Gulf network shut down days before Gulf Coast landfalls.

Extreme
IAHHouston Intercontinental

Gulf of Mexico storms affect IAH significantly. United's major hub — shutdowns cascade across the western half of the country.

High
SAVSavannah

Often in the path of storms tracking up the East Coast. Smaller airport with less resilience.

High
CHSCharleston

Coastal exposure means significant disruption from storms tracking the East Coast.

Moderate

Weather waivers: your free rebooking window

A hurricane waiver lets you change your flight for free — same destination, different dates, no fees. Airlines post them when a storm is serious. They expire after the storm passes — sometimes within 24 hours.

Hurricane waivers are different from other storm waivers

Some hurricane waivers allow changes to your origin or destination — not just dates. This is rare for other storms. Check the specific terms of your airline's waiver carefully.

Where to find your waiver

AA

American

aa.com → 'Travel Alerts' — AA posts hurricane waivers early, often 72h before landfall.

DL

Delta

delta.com → 'Today's Travel Alerts' — filter for 'Hurricane' or the storm name.

UA

United

united.com → 'Travel Notices' — search by departure city or affected region.

WN

Southwest

southwest.com → 'Change/Cancel' — Southwest's no-change-fee policy gives you maximum flexibility.

NK

Spirit

spirit.com → 'Travel Alerts' — Spirit is a major FLL carrier; check early.

B6

JetBlue

jetblue.com → 'Travel Advisories' — B6 has significant Florida routes; waivers post early for major storms.

Your refund rights — including hurricane cancellations

Full cash refund — required by law

14 CFR Part 260 requires airlines to refund your ticket price in full to your original payment method when they cancel your flight. Weather cancellations, including hurricanes, are not exempt.

7 business days for credit cards

Airlines have 7 business days to process credit card refunds. Missing this deadline is a DOT violation — file a complaint at airconsumer.dot.gov.

Hotels and meals — airlines aren't required to pay in the US

Unlike the EU, US law doesn't require airlines to cover your hotel or meal costs during weather delays. Check your credit card benefits — Chase Sapphire, Amex Platinum, and Capital One Venture X all have trip delay/cancellation coverage.

Common questions

Do I get a refund if my flight is cancelled because of a hurricane?

Yes. Under 14 CFR Part 260, you are entitled to a full cash refund if your flight is cancelled — even for weather, including hurricanes. The airline must refund to your original payment method within 7 business days (credit card). You do not have to accept vouchers or travel credits.

How early do airports close before a hurricane?

Most airports begin significant cancellations 48–72 hours before projected landfall. Full airport closures typically happen 12–24 hours before landfall. Tampa International (TPA) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL) have historically closed earliest. Miami International (MIA) stays open longer due to its hardened infrastructure but still sees 90%+ cancellations in the 24 hours before a major storm.

Should I try to leave before the hurricane or wait and rebook?

Leave early if you have flexibility. Once a hurricane watch is issued, airlines post weather waivers that let you rebook without fees. If you're stuck and can't leave, wait for a cancellation — you're owed a full cash refund and can rebook with no restrictions. Don't accept a voucher at the gate if you want cash back.

What is an airline weather waiver during a hurricane?

A weather waiver is a temporary policy airlines issue when a major storm threatens. It lets you change your flight dates and sometimes origin or destination without paying change fees or fare differences. Airlines typically post hurricane waivers 48–72 hours before projected landfall. Check your airline's 'Travel Alerts' page — act fast because waivers expire after the storm passes.

Is my hotel or vacation rental refundable if a hurricane cancels my trip?

It depends on your booking terms. Many hotels have hurricane or force majeure clauses that allow refunds during government-declared emergencies. Travel insurance with 'cancel for any reason' or 'weather cancellation' coverage is the safest bet. Credit cards with trip cancellation protection (Chase Sapphire, Amex Platinum) also cover pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses.

Related guides

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