As Hurricane Isaias made landfall in the eastern Carolinas in the US at 03:00 UTC on August 4, it was reduced to a tropical storm — but only just! As Isaias forges its way north, it is impacting US aviation significantly. Airlines have been watching its progress and updating their change fee waivers and capped fares for passengers flying to the affected areas.
Hurricane Isaias causing havoc
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has downgraded Hurricane Isaias to a tropical storm after it hit the coastal areas of South and North Carolina. But, as it ravages the east coast, Isaias is still producing gusts to hurricane force, bringing the threat of significant damage. It is also causing severe disruption for US airlines.
The storm killed two people in the Caribbean and caused damage in the Bahamas, but it stayed out over the Atlantic as it skirted Florida at the weekend. Isaias remained well offshore as it passed the Georgia coast on Monday. This morning, the storm was over the Carolinas and nearing southeast Virginia. It is expected to reach New England tonight.
Key messages given out by the NHC said that it expects sustained tropical-storm-force winds, hurricane-force gusts, and heavy rainfall. It warns of life-threatening storm surges along the coast, flash flooding, urban floods, tree damage, and power outages. Tornadoes are also a concern, with the NHC saying,
“Tornadoes have already occurred over portions of northeastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia overnight. The threat of tornadoes will spread northward along the mid-Atlantic coast today and then across New England by tonight.”
Tropical Storm #Isaias Advisory 29A: Center of Isaias Moving Across Southeastern Virginia. Strong Winds. Heavy Rainfall. And the Threat of Tornadoes Will Spread Northward Along the Mid-Atlantic Coast This Morning. https://t.co/VqHn0u1vgc
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 4, 2020
US airlines extend fee waivers ahead of Isaias
Airlines in the US have offered change fee waivers and capped fares to passengers who are booked to travel to, from, or through many cities affected or threatened by Isaias. The information for travelers has been updated regularly as the path of the storm is predicted.
On Monday, Delta Air Lines posted on their website,
“As Hurricane Isaias is forecasted to continue moving along the east coast, Delta has issued a weather waiver for customers traveling twenty airports in the U.S. In addition, Delta has extended its capped fares to include flights between 11 southeastern cities in Georgia, Florida and South Carolina.”
American Airlines said that the change fee may be waived for eligible passengers who chose to change or delay their trip if their booking met the required criteria. As of Monday, the affected airports included:
- Allentown, Pennsylvania (ABE)
- Baltimore, Maryland (BWI)
- Fayetteville, North Carolina (FAY)
- Florence, South Carolina (FLO)
- Hampton / Newport News, Virginia (PHF)
- Hartford, Connecticut (BDL)
- Islip, New York (ISP)
- New Haven, Connecticut (HVN)
- New York Kennedy, New York (JFK)
- New York LaGuardia, New York (JFK)
- Newark, New Jersey (EWR)
- Norfolk, Virginia (ORF)
- Norfolk, Virginia (ORF)
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (PHL)
- Richmond, Virginia (RIC)
- Salisbury / Ocean City, Maryland (SBY)
- Stewart Newburgh, New York (SWF)
- Washington Dulles, Washington D.C. (IAD)
- Washington Reagan, Washington D.C. (DCA)
- White Plains / Westchester County, New York (HPN)
Other US carriers operating flights to the affected regions are also offering waivers.
Do you think change fee waivers offer enough protection for affected passengers? Let us know in the comments.