I Changed My Flight Last-Minute Before a Hurricane — Here’s How You Can, Too

I was originally booked to fly from Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) to Orlando International Airport (MCO) on Thursday, October 10, for a trip to Disney World. However, due to Hurricane Milton’s projected path, I was offered the option to change my flight without any fees.

If you’re facing travel disruptions as well, I’ll guide you through my experience and how you can manage your own flight changes.

Why It’s Important To Change Travel Plans Proactively

Hurricane Milton is anticipated to be one of the strongest hurricanes on record, causing devastating impacts to Florida and surrounding states.

My initial flight was set to depart on Thursday, October 10, at 12:18 p.m. from Washington-Reagan to Orlando. Although the storm’s eye is projected to be over Florida’s eastern coast, it would still impact Orlando during my scheduled flight time. Although the flight hadn’t been officially canceled yet, I knew the likelihood of it departing on time was extremely low.

When severe weather affects aircraft, it sets off a domino effect. Even if my plane was coming from a location with clear skies, if it had previously been scheduled to fly to Tampa, Orlando, or other impacted cities in Florida, and those flights were canceled, it could cause a chain reaction that might lead to the cancellation of my flight as well.

Even if my plane wasn’t impacted, both Tampa International Airport (TPA) and Orlando were likely to close. As of Monday, October 7, the Tampa Airport had already announced full closures for the next day. And considering this storm was one of the strongest on record, even if flights did depart on time, I’d be arriving in an environment that could face significant damage and infrastructure challenges.

Check for Travel Alerts From the Airline

Once I decided to change my flight, I immediately looked at my options. On Sunday, October 6, American Airlines sent me the following email regarding my flight:

“Tropical Storm Milton, which may impact portions of Florida between October 8-10, could affect your upcoming travel with American Airlines. At this time, there is no change in your flight plans. However, to better accommodate customers, American is offering additional flexibility that may allow you to adjust your travel plans without a fee.”

When I checked the American Airlines travel alerts page, I could see Orlando, among several other airports, was scheduled to be impacted and qualified for a free flight change.

Per the rules, I could move my flight anytime through Thursday, October 17. When a storm occurs like this, you can choose any routing — within reason — to get to your destination without a change fee. In other words, you keep the same fare you originally booked.

I decided to move my flight to Friday, October 11. While this is shortly after the storm has passed, it allows me an extra day to decide whether to travel based on what is open or what damage has occurred. Should I then need to cancel this booking, I can do so and receive a future trip credit for the entire fare, so I wouldn’t lose out on any value of my ticket.

It’s worth noting that the terms and conditions only permit one free change, though in most circumstances, the airlines should work with you and allow multiple changes as the situation can become extremely variable. In my example, I moved my flight to Friday, but depending on the impact to the Orlando region, I may consider moving my flight again to another day.

What To Know About Changing Flights During Hurricane Season

While my travel plans are uncertain due to Hurricane Milton, my philosophy is always to move flights rather than outright cancel them.

If I cancel flights and decide to book again, I’ll need to book at the prevailing rate, which will usually be extreme. I prefer to book for a future date, monitor the situation, and see if travel is advisable. From there, I can decide to take a future flight or cancel and not travel, but I always prefer to re-book rather than cancel when a weather alert comes. Here are the key takeaways to keep in mind:

Act Proactively To Change Flights

You’re not the only passenger that is moving flights, as there are thousands of travelers impacted. Seats will disappear quickly, so when you want to move flights, do so very quickly.

Customer Service Lines Will Be Busy

Phone lines may be clogged, especially if the weather impacts a large area, or an airline’s hub. When this happens, consider using a chat feature, if available, or using social media and direct messaging the airline.

Book a Backup Flight

Depending on the circumstances and your need to get to the final destination, you may consider booking a backup flight on another airline. You’ll also want to consider using trip delay and cancellation insurance, if available to you.

Final Thoughts

Hurricanes and other severe weather events can cause widespread devastation, often disrupting travel plans. If you’re scheduled to fly during such conditions, it’s helpful to understand your options for changing flights.

Most importantly, your safety comes first. While flight disruptions can be frustrating, remember they are in place to protect you and ensure that your travel experience remains as safe and comfortable as possible.