NYC flights delays/cancelations

[jeff968]

In all my years traveling to Florida in February it looks like this year will be our first where it is impacted by the weather.

The good news: Our flights are on Friday, not Thursday, American Airlines
The bad news: Our flights are at 6:59am out of JFK, non-stop (thank god).

The storm will be over (according to the weather people) but I'm guessing we will have a delay at the very least. I was planning on leaving at 4am (JFK is an hour and 15 minutes from my house). I've signed up for all the notices, text, phone, email.

So, what can I expect? How does this work? Being that this is president's week coming up flights are pretty well booked for the next few days, probably well into next week.

If they delay the flight we will be pushed to the back of the line meaning that all the late morning flights will go out on time and they'll "try" and fit us in somewhere?

If they cancel, what is their obligation to me? I don't have ticket insurance.

I have a timeshare rental waiting for me (Friday to Friday) so I'm assuming I am screwed on any time I don't show up.

At this point, if I get down there on Friday I know I'm very lucky. We'll see how it goes.

Thanks

The only positive, the weather looks fantastic in orlando!!! Now, if we can just get there!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If your flight is canceled, American Airlines will rebook you on the next available flight, no charge. They have issued a travel alert so you can change your ticket for free (with limitations):

http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/travelAlerts.jsp

Checking weather.com, it appears that it will start snowing at JFK around 12 am tomorrow and continue into the morning. I'm guessing you'll be okay by Friday, but who knows?

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

I don't have the answers to most of your questions but I wanted to wish you luck and give the one tip I have. We flew the day after a big storm years ago and our flight got cancelled after we were at the airport. Not because of conditions or lack of aircraft but because they didn't have a crew with enough hours available to do the flight. The mistake we made was getting in the longgg line at the ticket counter to wait to be re-accommodated. What we should've done was *also* got on the phone with the airline to see if we could be helped that way. By the time we got to the front of the massive line all the remaining flights for the day were taken. So my advice would be, if you're already at the airport, try to get on the phone while you're in line.

It's good that you're signed up for all the alerts. I'd also stalk the AA site so you can call immediately if they do cancel. I know one issue in instances like this isn't just if the weather is clear Friday, but if the aircraft was able to make it there from wherever the previous destination was.

Hoping for the best for you!!!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Yes, above poster is correct. JFK may be fine Friday, but there could be problems getting crews or your aircraft may be stuck at another airport. Be prepared.

 

[jeff968]

Thanks, and good advice. Like I said, my "happy dance" expectations are set as low as they can be: "get safely to Florida at some time on Friday". We're prepared for a long day!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Just be prepared that if they cancel your flight it could be a few days before they can get you out.

I know someone who is on a providence flight and if they cancel her flight it will be 3 days before she can get on a flight because everything is full.

 

[jeff968]

Just be prepared that if they cancel your flight it could be a few days before they can get you out.

I know someone who is on a providence flight and if they cancel her flight it will be 3 days before she can get on a flight because everything is full.

Yup, As I said in my first original post, I realize it is President's week and we'll be lucky if we can get there Monday.

Fingers crossed,

 

[maryisme]

Hi Jeff,

We just flew out of JFK (Jetblue) on January 23 - 1 day after major snow that shut down airports and cancelled thousands of flights. In this case, flights out of JFK resumed late evening day before our flight.

We made it out on time and actually arrived early into MCO.

We were prepared for the worst but was hoping for the best.

Good luck - you *should* be ok.

Maryann

 

[DebbieB]

Hopefully he is there by now. I checked American's website, I didn't see a 6:59am JFK-MCO, but there was one to TPA. It left on time, arrived about 40 minute late, I assume because of deicing.