With summer in full swing, hurricane season has arrived, and it’s already causing major concerns for travelers.
Tropical Storm Erin is building strength in the Atlantic Ocean. It is expected to become the first hurricane of the 2025 season and could significantly impact vacation plans, especially for those traveling along the East Coast and the Caribbean.
Related: Popular global airline stops all Washington D.C. flights
The storm is gaining momentum and is projected to strengthen into a hurricane by August 15. Forecasters warn it could reach Category 3 status, making it the season’s first major hurricane.
While the storm may not directly make landfall in the U.S., it is expected to bring heavy rain, strong winds, and travel disruptions to parts of the East Coast. The Caribbean Islands are in its projected path and may experience the most damage.
Image source: Mario Tama/Getty Images
The hurricane causes ground stops and airport disruptions
The timing couldn’t be worse for summer travelers, as the hurricane threatens their much-anticipated tropical vacation plans, leading to flight cancellations due to expected thunderstorms over the weekend.
Related: American Airlines will allow flight passengers to skip TSA security
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued temporary ground stops across several major airports, including:
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
- Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI)
This year’s hurricane season runs from June to November and is projected to have up to 19 named storms, higher than the seasonal average. The primary affected areas are destinations near the coast or islands with tropical weather.
Airlines offering travel waivers amid flight cancellations
With PTO days booked and vacations planned, travelers are now scrambling to reschedule their flights. To make the process less stressful, some airlines have issued travel waivers, allowing passengers to reschedule their flights without penalties in affected areas. However, that’s not the case for all, with some airlines still charging extra fees depending on the fare type or route availability.
Here are the airlines offering travel waivers:
Delta Air Lines (DAL) is allowing passengers flying on August 13 or 14 to rebook without penalty before August 16 if traveling to, from, or through Baltimore, MD (BWI), Boston, MA (BOS), Newark, NJ (EWR), New York, NY (JFK, LGA), White Plains, NY (HPN), Philadelphia, PA (PHL), or Washington, D.C. (IAD, DCA).
JetBlue (JBLU) Airways is letting passengers flying on or before August 12 rebook without penalty before August 16 if traveling to, from, or through Newark, NJ (EWR), New York, NY (JFK, LGA), Islip/Long Island, NY (ISP), or Westchester County, NY (HPN).
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Southwest Airlines (LUV) is inviting passengers flying on August 13 or 14 to rebook within 14 days of their original travel date with no penalty if traveling to, from, or through Albany, NY (ALB), Baltimore, MD (BWI), Boston, MA (BOS), Hartford, CT (BDL), Islip/Long Island, NY (ISP), Manchester, NH (MHT), New York, NY (LGA), Philadelphia, PA (PHL), Portland, ME (PWM), Providence, RI (PVD), or Washington, D.C. (IAD, DCA).
These airlines may have different policies and limitations on a case-by-case basis, and passengers are encouraged to contact customer service to rearrange travel plans as soon as possible to avoid complications.
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Make a free appointment with TheStreet’s Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
