Huricane Irene vs. Air Travel

[Mamapapa]

Lots of posts about how Irene will affect WDW, but none about airline travel that I could find. I am scheduled to fly out of Albany NY 7:30am and into Orlando FL at 10:30am on Sunday. As the storm is forcasted to be hitting SC/NC at that time, will this affect all airlines on the East Coast? Will they simply divert air traffic inland to avoid the storm, or could flights be cancelled due to this. I am a flying novice so please excuse my lack of knowledge on this subject!!!

 

[hgreene87]

I'm new too, but from what I've read I think you should be pretty safe, as it sounds as if you're flying straight through. In my case, we have layovers in both Philadelphia and Washington DC (Reagan) so i'm extremely worried, but it sounds like you should be fine. As far as I'm aware, they divert the plane's direction as needed, but you won't actually notice, although it may take a bit longer (that's a personal assumption, I could be wrong )

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Be prepared for air travel delays all weekend.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/08/25/hurricane.irene.airlines/

I'm new too, but from what I've read I think you should be pretty safe, as it sounds as if you're flying straight through. In my case, we have layovers in both Philadelphia and Washington DC (Reagan) so i'm extremely worried, but it sounds like you should be fine. As far as I'm aware, they divert the plane's direction as needed, but you won't actually notice, although it may take a bit longer (that's a personal assumption, I could be wrong )

Yes, this is incorrect. You can be affected if your flight originates in an area where there are weather problems, even if you are not flying into or from an affected area. By the way, your flight sounds horrible (too many layovers). Hope you got an excellent price.

 

[plwheel]

We're on an early flight out of Richmond, Virginia at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27, and it looks like we might (I hope) make it out before winds ramp up. When I check hour-by-hour forecasts, it looks like winds are 20 mph around the time we leave. DH says planes take off in that kind of wind all the time, and the plane can veer west away from any impact. We're far enough inland that I think the impact will be like a really bad thunderstorm. I've been planning our Disney World vacation for soooooo long that I want it to happen on time, safely and with my house in good shape when I return. Talk about stress.

Being from the coast of SC and having lived through Hugo, I know what a whollop hurricanes can bring, so I hope the Outer Banks and other coastal areas fare well through the storm. We've seen enough destruction in the US and deserve a break.

This is most definitely a time for Pixie Dust and prayers.

 

[lawgs]

Lots of posts about how Irene will affect WDW, but none about airline travel that I could find. I am scheduled to fly out of Albany NY 7:30am and into Orlando FL at 10:30am on Sunday. As the storm is forcasted to be hitting SC/NC at that time, will this affect all airlines on the East Coast? Will they simply divert air traffic inland to avoid the storm, or could flights be cancelled due to this. I am a flying novice so please excuse my lack of knowledge on this subject!!!

you did not say what airline you are on, but Southwest is allowing changes in flights for Albany if your travel date is August 27 thru 29....

when you go to www.southwest.com just click on the Travel Alert : Hurrican Irene

we were able to rebook a flight to norfolk ( for williamsburg ) leaving tomorrow morning instead of saturday with no additional charges

 

[cassie]

I know how you are all feeling. A few years ago a hurricane was due to hit Orlando around midnight on the Sat I was to fly down. I had a mid-morning flight, and just before I was leaving for the airport, Delta called and cancelled. Even tho I would be getting there from Ct. hours before the storm hit they were cancelling. They put me on a Mon flight. Ok, I was able to change the ressie with the resort with no problem. Then on Sun I was again cancelled for Mon. Mco had sustained some damage, so it affected the flights.

I gave it up.....went another time. Good luck to you all, and hope you make it down.

 

[taitai]

We're on an early flight out of Richmond, Virginia at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27, and it looks like we might (I hope) make it out before winds ramp up. When I check hour-by-hour forecasts, it looks like winds are 20 mph around the time we leave. DH says planes take off in that kind of wind all the time, and the plane can veer west away from any impact. We're far enough inland that I think the impact will be like a really bad thunderstorm. I've been planning our Disney World vacation for soooooo long that I want it to happen on time, safely and with my house in good shape when I return. Talk about stress.

Being from the coast of SC and having lived through Hugo, I know what a whollop hurricanes can bring, so I hope the Outer Banks and other coastal areas fare well through the storm. We've seen enough destruction in the US and deserve a break.

This is most definitely a time for Pixie Dust and prayers.

You are assuming that there will be a plane there at 7am to take off. That is huge assumption. Airlines will not put planes where they could get stuck. So, it highly likely that whatever flight that was to fly into Richmond the night before will get cancelled meaning there will be no plane to fly you to Orlando at 7am. I would start making contingency arrangements.

 

[LilyWDW]

Lots of posts about how Irene will affect WDW, but none about airline travel that I could find. I am scheduled to fly out of Albany NY 7:30am and into Orlando FL at 10:30am on Sunday. As the storm is forcasted to be hitting SC/NC at that time, will this affect all airlines on the East Coast? Will they simply divert air traffic inland to avoid the storm, or could flights be cancelled due to this. I am a flying novice so please excuse my lack of knowledge on this subject!!!

The New York area will be seeing issues Saturday night through Monday morning. You have to remember, you are not just worrying about the main aspect of the storm... you are having to deal with the outer bands of the storm. While the MAIN part of the storm may not get there until later on Sunday, you will be feeling some of the impact possibly even the night before. North Carolina is expected to feel the worst Friday night into Saturday according to the weather channel.

Timing: Irene will make its closest approach to North Carolina late Friday night through Saturday. Northeast U.S. impacts would be Saturday night through early Monday.

Now, this is all depending on what the storm does. It could speed up, slow down, weaken, strengthen...

Oh, and that is all dependent on IF they have a plane there for you. Depending on the situation and where that plane was supposed to come from...

I would have a backup plan.

 

[LilyWDW]

you did not say what airline you are on, but Southwest is allowing changes in flights for Albany if your travel date is August 27 thru 29....

when you go to www.southwest.com just click on the Travel Alert : Hurrican Irene

we were able to rebook a flight to norfolk ( for williamsburg ) leaving tomorrow morning instead of saturday with no additional charges

Virginia has called a state of emergency and Norfolk is currently evacuating some areas. So, be careful and keep an eye on things.