Hurricane Dorian will impact travel to Costa Rica; airlines issuing flight waivers

It’s hurricane season, and one of 2019’s biggest Atlantic storms to date is expected to impact the United States in the coming days.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration models predict Hurricane Dorian will strengthen and make landfall in Florida on Monday, Sept. 2.

The majority of international tourists to Costa Rica arrive from the United States, and many of those fly through southern states such as Florida. Those with upcoming travel should confirm flights with their airline and prepare to make contingency plans.

Even if your flight doesn’t travel through Florida, major disruptions to an airline’s operation in one location can result in lengthy delays or cancellations elsewhere.

Major airlines have already issued travel waivers allowing passengers to book alternate flights due to Hurricane Dorian’s expected landfall. Here are the details as of Thursday afternoon:

American: Travelers flying to, through or from Miami, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, West Palm Beach and a number of other Florida airports on an American Airlines flight between Aug. 30 – Sept. 3 may have change fees waived. More information.

Delta: Travelers flying to, through or from Miami, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, West Palm Beach and a number of other Florida and Georgia airports on a Delta flight between Sept. 1-4 may make a one-time flight change with fees waived. Travelers can also cancel the trip and use the value toward a future flight. More information.

Frontier: Customers ticketed to travel to, through or from eight Florida airports between Sept. 2-3 may make one itinerary change with fees and restrictions waived. (Note: Frontier doesn’t currently fly to Costa Rica.) More information.

JetBlue: The airline will waive change/cancel fees and fare differences for customers traveling Sept. 1-3 to or from Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Orlando and Palm Beach. More information. 

Southwest: Between Aug. 31-Sept. 4, travelers with itineraries to, from or through the following cities may rebook their flights without additional charges: Fort Lauderdale, Fort Meyers, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach. More information.

Spirit: Travelers flying to, from or through Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Orlando or Tampa between Aug. 31-Sept. 3 can have modification charges and fare differences waived. More information.

United: Passengers with itineraries to, from or through nine Florida airports — including Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando — from Aug. 29-Sept.4 can have change fees and fare differences waived. More information.

Safe travels, and as always, check with your airline for the most up-to-date information.