Tropical Storm Elsa is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday.
In advance of the storm, Tampa International Airport (TPA) closed on Tuesday afternoon and is reopening Wednesday, early than expected, at 8:30 am.
“TPA’s Operations team made the determination to open early after evaluating the airfield and airport facilities for storm damage from Elsa, which brought gusts of up to 41 miles per hour overnight.
The Airport did not sustain any damage from the storm. TPA’s roadways are clear, and the garages and rental car center are open.“
The final commercial flight before Elsa is away and all is quiet at TPA! Please stay safe, Tampa Bay! pic.twitter.com/VrprIkbBJH
— Tampa International Airport ✈️ (@FlyTPA) July 6, 2021
Due to Tropical Storm Elsa there may be delayed or cancelled flights throughout the day. Be sure to check with your airline for the most updated flight information before heading to the airport. #TropicalStormElsahttps://t.co/DvIqwrVDLw
A heatwave in the Pacific Northwest and some other parts of the country is adding another challenge to air travel as we head into a holiday weekend.
As a result, some airlines, including American Airlines and United Airlines, are offering fee-free travel waivers. And Alaska Airlines has put a ban on pets traveling as cargo to and from more than a dozen cities until at least after the July 4th weekend.
Here are some of the details, and useful links to policies as of Monday evening, June 28:
And while Alaska Airlines isn’t offering change fee waivers as of Monday evening, it is pre-canceling some flights.
“While we never want to let our guests down, only a small fraction of our flights have been pre-canceled and we are doing our best to re-accommodate those guests,” the airline said on its website, “
And, because of the heat, through July 7, Alaska Airlines is not accepting animals for travel in the baggage departments to or from most of the affected airports listed above. Ticketed pets are still permitted to travel in the cabin with their owners.
A historic heat wave is impacting travel in the Pacific Northwest & beyond. Read about the proactive steps we are taking to get ahead of the challenges and keep the safety of our people and operations at the forefront: https://t.co/Mv31CnTQjM
American Airlines’ change fee waiver offer is in effect for ticketed travelers through June 29 for trips to, through, or from the cities below. The airlines’ website notes that this information was current as of June 25, 2021, so if record-breaking heat continues in these areas, the waiver could be updated or extended. Check the website for details.
Winter won’t go away just yet. Winter storm Xylia wreaked havoc with roads and air traffic in the midwest over the weekend. More than two feet of snow fell at Denver International Airport as of 6 p.m. on Sunday evening.
More than 2000 flights in and out of DEN were canceled over the weekend, with hundreds more already canceled for Monday.
Here are some of the images DEN shared on Twitter on Sunday
⚠️ Blizzard conditions continue at the airport. Airlines have ceased operations at DEN for the rest of the day. Peña Blvd is currently impassable with multiple disabled vehicles along the roadways, if you absolutely must come to the airport, please use the @RideRTD A-Line instead pic.twitter.com/uEnXERcDDd
❄️It’s coming down at DEN!❄️ Predicted snowfall rates of .5 to 1 inch per hour may last throughout the day. Our crews are working hard to keep the runways and roadways clear! pic.twitter.com/n5JPijleqX
If you do have a flight scheduled through DEN or other airports in Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska, here are links to the storm-related travel alerts and flight change rules posted by airlines.
TRAVEL ALERT: With the expected impact to travel conditions from Winter Storm Xylia Frontier has enacted guidelines aimed at assisting customers scheduled to travel between 3/12 -3/15 to: Denver and Colorado Springs, CO.
There's a travel waiver extension in place for winter weather in the Denver area. If you're traveling 3/12 – 3/17 the easiest way to change your flight or connect through a different city is through the United app or by direct messaging us here. https://t.co/uzrhIv1oA8pic.twitter.com/1e6DaAeh7y
Severe winter storms are already wreaking havoc with Thanksgiving travel plans across the country.
Denver International and many other airports are taking out their snowplows and de-icing gear and advising travelers to be sure to check the status of their flights before leaving home.
While we *might* feel this way about the storm, the team at DEN is ready to keep runways and roadways clear! Several flights have already been cancelled tonight and in the morning and more delays are possible, so please double check your flight status with your airline @CoWxpic.twitter.com/TpbEl1pora
Many airlines are offering fee-free flight changes, waivers on fare differences for rebooked flights and refunds left and right.
In some cases, they are encouraging passengers to switch to flights leaving a day or two early.
At 9 p.m. on the west coast, these are some of the airlines issuing travel alerts. No doubt there will be updates and more alerts by morning and over the next few days. So, if you’re scheduled to fly anytime over this holiday, be sure to check your airline’s website and sign up for alerts about your flight.
American Airlines has a travel alert for passengers scheduled to fly November 27 to/through or from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Frontier Airlines has canceled many flights through Denver and Colorado Springs, CO on Tuesday, November 26. Advisories for rebooking and refunds are on their site.
JetBlue has posted travel alerts for flights in and out of Denver International Airport on Tuesday, November 26.
Southwest Airlines is warning customers that flight schedules may be “disrupted,” as in delayed, diverted, and/or canceled on Tuesday, November 26 in Denver and on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 26 and 27 through Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Due to forecasted weather conditions, service to some cities may be disrupted through tomorrow, Tuesday, November 26. Check your flight status and explore rebooking options: https://t.co/kLvpvG0QAfpic.twitter.com/vO0uFbKSZl
United
Airlines’ winter weather alert also applies to flights in and out of Denver
on Tuesday 26.
We’ve issued a travel waiver for Denver due to anticipated winter weather. If you’re traveling 11/26, you can change your flight at no cost on our mobile app, by direct messaging us here or calling Reservations at 1-800-864-8331. Waiver: https://t.co/PyE7xsAoNPpic.twitter.com/kqowNR09Nd
Bottom line: even if the weather looks great where you are – or where you’re headed to, bad weather in other parts of the country can still disrupt your travels. Check flights, check again and, as always, pack lots of patience when you go to the airport this time of year.
