Hurricane Helene: Airline travel advisories, flight delays, cancellations; what to know

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ORLANDO, Fla. - According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Helene formed on Wednesday and made landfall as a powerful Category 4 storm in Florida's Big Bend region on Thursday evening.

The storm has impacted airports with strong winds, heavy rain, and the potential for severe weather. That could lead to flight delays or cancelations at Florida's major airports, including Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Tampa International Airport (TPA).

Several airlines have issued travel advisories ahead of Helene, which typically allow people to change their flights or rebook them without extra fees.

Here's what you need to know

What airports are in Florida?

Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB)
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)

Are Florida's airports open or closed ahead of Hurricane Helene?

Orlando International Airport: Operating under normal conditions. Delays, cancelations are possible.
Orlando Sanford International Airport: Operations are normal.
Tampa International Airport: Will close at 2 a.m. Thursday, and remain closed until the storm passes. Commercial and cargo flights will be suspended.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport: Operations are normal.
Miami International Airport: Operations are normal.
Jacksonville International Airport: Operations are normal.

How can I change my flight ahead of Helene?

Several airlines have issued travel advisories ahead of Helene, which usually allows passengers the ability to change their flights without change fees. The rules, limitations, and requirements vary by airline.

Below are each of the major airlines' current travel alerts and advisories.

Airline travel alerts:

Is my flight delayed or canceled because of Helene?

The best place to check if your flight has been delayed or canceled is directly through the airline you booked through. You can check that airlines' mobile app, website, or if you're already at the airport, at the counter or on one of the monitor displays.

MCO does track flight delays and cancelations, too.