Flight Canceled or Delayed by a Hurricane: Here's What to Do Next

Article overview

In this article you’ll learn more about:

• The difference between flight cancellations and airport closures
• What to do before you travel during hurricane season
• How to respond if your flight is canceled or airport shuts down
• How travel insurance can help with delays, lodging and emergency expenses
• How to stay safe and get rebooked if you're stranded

Traveling during hurricane season can be a headache, even if you don’t live in a coastal state. These powerful storms can ground flights or shut down entire airports.

Because airlines rely on tightly coordinated schedules, your flight out of Idaho could be delayed or canceled due to a storm brewing in Florida, Texas, Louisiana or Georgia. You could be left scrambling for another route—or stranded—if your departure airport is in the storm’s path. Knowing how to respond to weather-related cancellations or closures can help you stay calm and make smart decisions.

Flight cancellation vs. airport closure: What’s the difference?

When dealing with storm-related delays, it’s important to understand the difference between cancellation and closure. How you respond depends greatly on the situation.

• Flight cancellation: A flight cancellation occurs when an airline decides not to operate a specific flight. This can occur due to crew availability, mechanical issues, safety concerns or aircraft availability. Cancellations can occur days or even hours before a scheduled departure. They often increase during storm season and can ripple across multiple routes.
• Airport closure: Airport closures are often a last resort and typically occur in areas where storms are predicted to impact. If the FAA or local authorities mandate the airport to close, all flights are grounded and no one comes in or out until the airport reopens.

What to consider before you fly

If you're traveling during hurricane season—Atlantic (June 1 to November 30) or Pacific (May 15 to November 30)—it is important to be prepared and stay informed.

Here are a few pre-travel tips that will make your life a little easier should you encounter delays.

• Watch the forecast: If you are within two to three days of your trip, be sure to check the weather regularly. The storm may be days from landfall, but airport operations and airlines will start making decisions based on the storm’s path and projected severity.

• Opt in for airline and airport alerts: When you purchase your airline tickets, you can opt in or download their apps to get real-time flight and airport updates. Just because there’s not a cloud in the sky where you’re at, doesn’t mean your plane isn’t traveling through wind and rain to get to you. Having the airline’s mobile app is an additional way to get communications from the airline.

• Confirm your flight status: It’s a good practice to get used to checking your flight status a few days prior to departure. You can do this online at the airline’s website or via their mobile app. Also, be certain to check several hours before leaving for the airport. Check your flight status. Just because you checked in without issue 24 hours before your departure doesn’t mean your flight wasn’t canceled suddenly in the middle of the night. Disruptions happen fast, and there may not be much notice.

• Purchase travel insurance: Travel typically involves a lot of planning and can be expensive, so it’s important to protect your trip from disruptions and delays. Look for policies that include hurricane-related disruptions. These policies will do more than just help you recover losses from your initial travel expenses; they may also provide reimbursement for meals and lodging if you end up stranded. AAA has partnered with award-winning Allianz Travel Insurance, which offers benefits when a plan is purchased before a storm is named.

Coverage can include:

• Trip cancellation and interruption coverage: Reimburses prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if your trip is canceled or cut short due to a covered event like a hurricane.
• Emergency medical and transportation benefits: Offers coverage for unexpected medical expenses and transportation to a suitable medical facility.
• Travel delay reimbursement: Helps cover expenses like meals, lodging and transportation if your trip is delayed for a covered reason.
• Baggage protection: Provides coverage for lost, damaged or stolen baggage and personal items.
• 24/7 assistance services: Access to a multilingual team for help with travel-related issues, including emergency travel arrangements.
• SmartBenefits®:

-- Automatically pays a fixed inconvenience payment (such as $100 per insured person) for qualifying travel delays or baggage delays—no receipts required.

-- Offers faster, simpler claims for covered events, helping travelers get back on track more quickly.

• Backup lodging: If you're away from home, research and book accommodations in case you're delayed and need a place to wait out the storm. This way, you will have somewhere to ride out the storm if you end up being delayed. The AAA mobile app is a great resource.
• Keep essentials in your carry-on: You never know when you could get delayed and you could have to leave the airport in a hurry with only your carry-on. Consider turning it into a mini go-bag equipped with medications, toiletries, chargers and even a day or two worth of clothes.

Steps to take if your flight is canceled due to a hurricane

No traveler wants to get the dreaded notification that their flight’s been canceled, but if you do end up experiencing one, here are some helpful tips for navigating it:

• Take a breath: Cancellations are frustrating and stressful. It’s important to take a moment to breathe and process so you can approach the situation with a clear head.
• ·Contact the airline: You can reach out through the airline’s mobile app, call the customer service line or speak to a representative at the airport to determine your next course of action. Ask about the following:

-- Rebooking options: Some airlines may automatically rebook you, but it is worth doing your research to ensure you are receiving the best option to get you where you need to go.

-- Flight vouchers: Depending on the type of delay, the airline may be willing to compensate you with flight vouchers for future travel.

• Review your insurance policy: You may be reimbursed for hotel, meals and transportation during weather delays.

Steps to take if there is an airport closure due to a hurricane

Airport closures happen quickly and with little to no notice. If they are in an area with a hurricane or evacuation warning, they are not uncommon to close within hours of your flight.

• Stay calm: One of the first things to try to do is to remain calm despite the stress and the expectation of long lines and ongoing delays.
• Listen for instructions: Pending the severity and proximity of the storm, you could receive two very different directives.

-- Locate a hotel: AAA has partnered with trusted hotel brands, offering exclusive AAA rates while allowing you to earn hotel loyalty points. Visit AAA.com/Hotels to make quick and verifiable reservations.

-- Shelter-in-place: If you are at the airport when severe weather rolls in, you may receive shelter-in-place instructions from airport staff. This means that for your own safety, you should take shelter in the airport. Personnel will instruct you where to go should this directive be given.

-- Mandatory evacuation: Under no circumstances are you to stay in the airport. For your own safety, you should seek shelter elsewhere as the airport is likely to be severely impacted by the storm.

• Contact your insurance provider: Travel insurance companies like Allianz typically have representatives available 24/7 to help you book emergency lodging, secure transportation or even book a flight out of another city if it is safe to travel.

What to do if you are stranded

If you are stranded due to a hurricane-related cancellation or closure, prioritize your safety above all else. Seek shelter and follow guidance from local emergency officials. If you have out-of-pocket expenses for transportation, lodging or meals, save all receipts—your travel insurance provider may reimburse you for covered expenses.

Stay in contact with your airline and travel insurance provider so you can reschedule your travel as soon as it’s safe. With preparation and the right resources, you can navigate hurricane season like a pro.

Traveling during hurricane season comes with its challenges, but with the right preparation and resources, you don’t have to face them alone. Whether you’re navigating a delayed flight, an unexpected airport closure or trying to rebook from afar, staying informed and covered with travel insurance can make all the difference.