Flying

[Vana]

As you know a newbie to Florida here and so excited about going, we are flying from Gatwick direct to Orlando International on 26th September. We are flying on Virign Airlines. What happens concerning all the bad weather and flying obviously they will not fly through a hurricane but what about tropical storms etc or do they shut the airports ?

[Netty]

As you know a newbie to Florida here and so excited about going, we are flying from Gatwick direct to Orlando International on 26th September. We are flying on Virign Airlines. What happens concerning all the bad weather and flying obviously they will not fly through a hurricane but what about tropical storms etc or do they shut the airports ?

usually you will fly above a hurricane, we did this with hurricane isobel in 2003
the airports will be shut if there is an incoming storm

[Vana]

Thanks the reason I ask is hubby is a very nervious flyer.

[gismo1554]

They do have some capacity to change flight routes as well if needed ie flying down along the coast rather than straight across through Bermuda.

They will do their best to avoid it at all costs. The airports rarely close completely unless a Hurricane actually hits but delays are possible.

It is likely to be a little more choppy than usual if you fly near a storm but pilots will do their best to fly over or around bad areas.

[Hbabe78]

i had also been wondering about this, we fly out soon for the first time as well

[Andrew Bichard]

On our last trip, Orlando airport closed briefly because of a heavy rainstorm. (Just heavy rain, not a Tropical Storm, not a Hurricane) I believe that they were concerned that the runway was too wet to land safely.

We had to circle over the coast a couple of times before we were allowed in to land. If the pilot hadn't made an announcement, I doubt anyone would have noticed.

Andrew

[disneybarbie]

last time I flew back from Orlando to Gatwick (2006) the Atlantic seemed to be full of tropical storms, and it was quite a bumpy flight! The pilot took the plane higher (i think around 40,000 feet) so that we had less turbulence :)

my sister is an air-stewardess, and she has promised me that turbulence is just the weather, and nothing to be scared of! :goodvibes

Barbie x

[JohnnySharp2]

In addition it's common for delays on the flight home as thunderstorms do occur frequently in the early evening, especially in the summer.

I hate flying too - will never get over my nerves, despite next year being our 15th visit.

[janine]

last time I flew back from Orlando to Gatwick (2006) the Atlantic seemed to be full of tropical storms, and it was quite a bumpy flight! The pilot took the plane higher (i think around 40,000 feet) so that we had less turbulence :)

my sister is an air-stewardess, and she has promised me that turbulence is just the weather, and nothing to be scared of! :goodvibes

Barbie x
thats good to hear. I am such a nervous flyer. every time i fly i think , thats the last time I will fly again. I will holiday in the UK next year, but I would never see the mice again if i did that. I get so nervous at the slightest bump.
There was a young girl having a panic attack on my flight home last week. The stewardess was trying to tell her that turbulance was normal and not to be frightened of it. I kept thinking, poor girl, I know how you feel. Theres no convincing.

[jockey]

All aircraft are fitted with a weather radar and will not fly through severe weather. Aircraft will deviate around weather and if the airport does close they will divert elsewhere. Turbelence is normal, try not to worry, hope you have a good flight :)