Sachin Walls
Hurricane Dorian was a Category 5 hurricane that hit the Bahamas and the East Coast of the United States in 2019. As the storm approached, airlines and airports prepared for disruptions and cancellations. Many airlines offered travel waivers and flexible rebooking options for passengers travelling to and from Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and other affected areas. Airports in the path of the hurricane, such as Orlando International Airport and Daytona Beach Airport, closed or ceased operations temporarily to ensure the safety of passengers and staff. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) worked closely with government partners to manage air traffic and facilitate humanitarian response flights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hurricane strength | Category 5 |
| Wind speed | 180 mph |
| Airports closed | Daytona Beach Airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Palm Beach International Airport |
| Airlines waiving fees | American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest, JetBlue, Spirit, United, Frontier, Allegiant, Spirit |
| Airports waiving fees | Miami, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Brunswick, Valdosta, Aguadilla, Ponce, San Juan, Saint Thomas, Nassau |
| Number of flights cancelled | 2,000+ |
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What You'll Learn
Flight cancellations
As Hurricane Dorian made its way towards the East Coast of the United States, several flight cancellations were made in anticipation of the storm. The hurricane was expected to make landfall as a Category 4 hurricane on Sunday night, with winds reaching up to 180 mph in some areas. As a result, airlines began offering travel waivers and rescheduling flights for passengers travelling to and from Florida, Georgia, and other states in the path of the storm.
American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest, JetBlue, Spirit, United, and Frontier were among the airlines that issued waivers for flights to and from Florida. Some airlines, like Delta, allowed customers to stay on their flights, reschedule for free, or cancel their trips without penalty. Others, like Southwest, waived fees for travel to the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Allegiant issued a travel alert for flights through Sanford, Jacksonville, and Fort Lauderdale in Florida.
As the hurricane progressed, more flight cancellations and airport closures were announced. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport was closed due to high winds associated with Hurricane Dorian. Orlando International Airport, Daytona Beach Airport, and Palm Beach International Airport were also shut down due to the storm. By Tuesday, September 3rd, more than a thousand flights across the U.S. had been canceled, affecting travel to and from Florida, the Bahamas, and other East Coast cities.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) played a crucial role in managing air traffic during this challenging period. They established Airspace Coordination Areas (ACAs) over the eastern coast of Florida and the Georgia coast to facilitate disaster response and recovery flights. The FAA advised pilots to exercise caution when flying in these areas due to the high volume of aircraft operating in the region. Drone pilots were instructed to avoid flying in the ACAs without permission and to check for flight restrictions.
Overall, Hurricane Dorian significantly impacted air travel across the southeastern United States. Airlines demonstrated flexibility by offering travel waivers, rescheduling flights, and waiving fees to assist passengers affected by the storm. The FAA's efforts to coordinate airspace and provide timely information to pilots were also instrumental in ensuring the safety and efficiency of flight operations during this difficult period.
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Waivers and rebooking
As Hurricane Dorian approached the Southeastern United States, several airlines offered waivers and rebooking options to customers. American Airlines, for instance, allowed passengers who had booked by August 29 and were scheduled to travel to select Florida cities by September 11 to change their flights without a fee. Delta Airlines also capped fares and added waivers for southeastern airports, while Southwest Airlines provided waivers for fare differences for flights affected by the hurricane. United Airlines also offered rebooking options without change fees for flights to select Florida cities, as long as they were rescheduled by September 13. JetBlue Airways offered similar options for flights to select Florida cities, with changes allowed until September 7.
In addition to these airlines, other carriers like Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines also provided waivers for passengers travelling to and from Florida. Cruise lines were also impacted, with companies such as Disney Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean altering the routes of their ships to avoid the path of the hurricane. Overall, Dorian's potential disruption to Labor Day weekend travel presented a challenge for many airlines and cruise operators, who had to balance the safety of their passengers and crews with the need to minimise cancellations and delays.
Passengers affected by Hurricane Dorian were advised to monitor the websites and advisories of their respective airlines and cruise companies for the latest information on waivers and rebooking policies. While some airlines offered specific dates by which travel must be completed to avoid fees, others had more flexible policies. It is important to note that each airline and cruise company has its own set of rules and policies regarding waivers and rebooking during severe weather events like Hurricane Dorian.
Customers were also encouraged to contact their airline or travel provider directly to understand their options for cancelling or changing bookings. While hurricanes are unpredictable, staying informed about the latest updates and staying in communication with travel providers can help minimise disruptions to travel plans. As always, the safety of passengers and crews is the top priority for airlines and cruise companies during these challenging events.
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FAA restrictions
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plays a crucial role in hurricane preparations, response, and recovery. During Hurricane Dorian, the FAA implemented several measures to ensure aviation safety and support relief efforts.
One of the key responsibilities of the FAA during hurricanes is establishing Airspace Coordination Areas (ACAs). These ACAs provide a safe environment for disaster response and recovery flights. During Dorian, the FAA established ACAs over the eastern coast of Florida and the Georgia coast. These ACAs allowed for the safe management of air traffic, with pilots advised to exercise caution due to the high volume of flights in these areas.
The FAA also issues Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) during hurricanes and natural disasters. TFRs are implemented to ensure the safety of aircraft conducting rescue and recovery operations. For Hurricane Dorian, the FAA issued a TFR for U.S. aircraft and pilots entering Bahamian airspace, reserving airspace for search and rescue and humanitarian assistance. TFRs are also used in coordination with state and local authorities to ensure safe and efficient relief operations.
Drone pilots play an important role during hurricanes, but they must adhere to strict guidelines. The FAA advises drone pilots to check for flight restrictions and not interfere with emergency response activities. Drone pilots are encouraged to use services like B4UFLY and the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) to ensure safe and legal operations.
The FAA also works closely with federal and state partners, including FEMA, to ensure the safety of flights supporting relief and recovery efforts. The FAA's Joint Crisis Action Team tracks the storm, coordinates communication and planning, and helps prioritize activities and allocate resources in the affected areas.
Overall, the FAA's restrictions and guidelines during hurricanes aim to ensure the safety of aviation operations, support relief efforts, and protect both people and equipment from harm.
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Airport closures
Hurricane Dorian was a Category 5 hurricane with winds of up to 180 mph, making it the strongest storm on record in the North Atlantic basin. As the storm approached, many airports across the US announced closures and cancellations.
Daytona Beach International Airport closed after the last flight departed on Sunday night. Orlando International Airport ceased operations on Labor Day but later reversed its decision and remained open. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport also closed due to winds associated with the hurricane. Palm Beach International Airport was also closed.
Many airlines offered free waivers and rescheduling for flights that were affected by the hurricane. American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest, JetBlue, Spirit, United, and Frontier all issued waivers for passengers travelling to and from Florida. Delta allowed passengers to stay on their flights, reschedule for free, or cancel their trips and use the value on a future flight. Southwest offered free rescheduling for passengers travelling to the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. JetBlue waived change and cancellation fees for customers travelling through four airports in Puerto Rico and Saint Thomas. Allegiant issued a travel alert for those flying through Sanford, Jacksonville, and Fort Lauderdale in Florida.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) established three Airspace Coordination Areas (ACA) over the eastern coast of Florida and the Georgia coast. The ACAs allowed a safe environment for disaster response and recovery flights. The FAA advised pilots about flight restrictions for Bahamian airspace and issued a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) for US aircraft and pilots entering Bahamian airspace to reserve airspace for search and rescue and humanitarian assistance.
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Evacuation flights
As Hurricane Dorian approached the Bahamas and the southeastern United States, various airlines offered waivers and flexible options for passengers travelling to and from Florida and other potentially affected areas. Airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest, JetBlue, Spirit, United, and Frontier waived fees to provide flexibility for travel plans. These waivers allowed passengers to change their tickets without incurring additional costs, demonstrating the airlines' recognition of the urgency and unpredictability of the situation.
Air Partner, a private aviation company, played a significant role in the evacuation efforts. They received charter requests for mass evacuation flights from areas in the path of Hurricane Dorian. Their Private Jets team successfully completed all Florida flight requests, with flights departing from Palm Beach International Airport and Opa-Locka Airport to destinations like New York, Maryland, and Philadelphia. These flights offered a means for residents to evacuate to states where there was no imminent storm threat.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also took several measures to manage air traffic and ensure the safety of flights during Hurricane Dorian. They established Airspace Coordination Areas (ACAs) over the eastern coast of Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina to facilitate disaster response and recovery flights. The FAA advised pilots flying in these areas to exercise extreme caution due to the high volume of aircraft operating in the region. Additionally, the FAA worked with government partners and aviation stakeholders to safely manage and reroute flights, assisting airlines in adding flights to support evacuation efforts.
In the Bahamas, which was severely impacted by Hurricane Dorian, the FAA deployed a mobile air traffic control tower and specialists to Marsh Harbour to help facilitate humanitarian response flights. The FAA also issued a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) for U.S. aircraft and pilots entering Bahamian airspace to reserve airspace for search and rescue operations and humanitarian assistance. These measures ensured that relief efforts could be effectively coordinated and executed.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the airport and the severity of the hurricane. Airports in areas where the hurricane is expected to hit the hardest, such as in the Bahamas, Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, may close. Airports in other areas may remain open but are likely to be monitoring the situation and will issue notices if there are any changes.
Many airlines are offering free waivers and the opportunity to rebook flights for passengers travelling to and from destinations affected by the hurricane. Check with your airline to see what their policies are regarding cancellations and rebooking.
If you need to fly during the hurricane, check with your airline and the airport before travelling to the airport. Be cautious and aware that there may be last-minute cancellations.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has established Airspace Coordination Areas (ACAs) over the eastern coast of Florida and the Georgia coast. These ACAs provide a safe environment for disaster response and recovery flights. Pilots should be cautious and check for the latest information before flying in these areas.
