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Hurricane Milton: Flight cancellations and updates affecting Vancouver travellers

Get tips on what to do if you booked tickets to the affected areas.
Elana Shepert
Elana Shepert
hurricane-milton-vancouver-flights-westjet-air-canada-october-2024jpg
Travellers flying from Vancouver to Florida or Cancun, Mexico should check to see if their route is in the path of Hurricane Milton. Air Canada and WestJet have revised their ticketing policies due to the weather emergency. Photo: Canadian Hurricane Centre

Canada's top airlines have implemented flexible policies for travellers with flights booked to or from areas in the path of Hurricane Milton. 

Milton rapidly strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane on Monday, Oct. 7. The hurricane is on a path moving toward Florida population centres, including Tampa and Orlando, threatening a dangerous storm surge in Tampa Bay and setting the stage for potential mass evacuations less than two weeks after a catastrophic Hurricane Helene swamped the coastline and led to devastating flooding in Western North Carolina.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expanded his state of emergency declaration on Sunday to 51 counties and said Floridians should prepare for more power outages and disruptions, making sure they have a week’s worth of food and water and are ready to hit the road.

Milton reached speeds of 160 mph Monday morning, rapidly intensifying from a Category 4. Category 5 hurricanes have speeds of 157 mph and higher.

The hurricane is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday as a hurricane. 

The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) has also issued a tropical storm warning for Cancun, Mexico. 

Are flights from Vancouver to Mexico and Florida cancelled?

Travellers departing from Vancouver on connecting flights to Florida or Mexico should check the weather at their destination and their connecting city.

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) does not currently show cancelled flights to Florida but most flights from Vancouver to Floridian airports involve one or two connections and YVR's information would not show these delays or cancellations. Also, airlines and airports may issue cancellations in the coming days if the hurricane makes landfall in Florida. 

YVR's departures page shows one cancelled flight to Edmonton at 1 p.m. and its arrivals page shows one cancellation at noon.

WestJet's 10:50 a.m. direct flight from Vancouver to Cancun wasn't cancelled. However, travellers on this route may want to reconsider their plans. 

Travellers should always purchase a comprehensive travel insurance plan before buying tickets. Travel insurance providers cover everything from missed connections to lost or damaged bags, medical emergencies to natural disasters, and more. However, a missed step in the process could result in travellers not getting paid their claims. 

For example, if a traveller purchases an insurance policy after a hurricane is named, they won't get covered for those headed to areas affected by the storm.

Air Canada's hurricane policies 

Air Canada has revised its ticketing policy enabling customers travelling on an affected flight to make changes to their booking without penalty, space permitting.

Travellers with affected flights can retrieve and change their bookings for free. If you purchased a holiday with Air Canada Vacations, contact them directly at 1-800-296-3408.

Air Canada guests are automatically enrolled to receive flight notifications to their mobile devices or by email. You can update your preferences online.

Flexible ticketing is in place on Monday, Oct. 7 for these destinations:

  • Cancún 
  • Fort Lauderdale 
  • Fort Myers
  • Miami
  • Orlando 
  • Tampa

Flexible ticketing is in place on Tuesday, Oct. 8 for these destinations:

  • Cancún 
  • Fort Lauderdale 
  • Fort Myers
  • Miami
  • Orlando 
  • Tampa

Flexible ticketing is in place on Wednesday, Oct. 9 for these destinations:

  • Fort Lauderdale 
  • Fort Myers
  • Miami
  • Orlando 
  • Tampa

Flexible ticketing is in place on Thursday, Oct. 10 for these destinations:

  • Fort Lauderdale 
  • Fort Myers
  • Miami
  • Orlando 
  • Tampa

WestJet's hurricane policies 

WestJet has instated its tropical storm/hurricane promise for guests affected by Hurricane Milton. Guests travelling to or from Cancun on Tuesday, Oct. 8 can use the airline's flexible policies to change plans. 

Hurricane/tropical storm travel advisories are issued based on information provided by the Canadian Hurricane Centre or the (American) National Hurricane Center.

WestJet will allow you to do one of several options if you haven't left for your trip yet:

  1. Cancel your reservation: Transfer the full amount paid into a Travel Bank credit valid for one year.
  2. Change your travel dates (subject to availability) to the same flight number, origin and destination.
    • Choose an earlier date, or a date up to and including 14 days after the original departure date and WestJet will waive any difference in fare.
    • Choose a date of 15 days or more after your original departure date and normal exchange and refund guidelines will apply.
  3. Change your destination. Pay any difference in fare. If your new itinerary costs less, WestJet will give you a Travel Bank credit for the difference.

WestJet will waive change and cancellation fees if you're en route to your destination or already in it. However, there are a few factors to consider.

  1. Return early (subject to availability).
  2. Cancel your reservation: WestJet will put the unused value of your reservation into a Travel Bank credit valid for one year.
  3. Continue travelling at your own risk. If you choose to continue travelling after an advisory has been issued you are not eligible for compensation or a credit or refund.

WestJet is offering a one-time waiver for changes or cancellations for travellers with flights to or from Fort Myers, Orlando, or Fort Lauderdale in Florida on Wednesday, Oct. 9.

  • If you change your destination, the difference in fare applies.  Any residual funds are refunded.

  • If you change to a different cabin, the difference in fare applies. Any residual funds are refunded.

  • Travel must be completed within 60 days of the original departure date.

  • If you cancel your booking, the funds will be refunded or credited based on the fare class booked; Basic will receive travel credit.

  • If you cancel your booking, any portion paid with WestJet dollars, Travel Bank credit or a WestJet rewards companion voucher will be returned to your account and the original expiration date (if applicable) will apply.

  • If you cancel your booking, any portion paid with WestJet dollars or a WestJet rewards companion voucher that has expired or is expiring within 60 days will be reinstated with a new expiry date of 60 days from the date of reinstatement.  

  • Any portion paid with WestJet dollars or Travel Bank credit will be returned to your account and the original expiration date (if applicable) will apply.    

  • A change or cancellation must be requested more than two hours before departure. 

Find more information about exciting destinations in B.C. and across the globe, as well as travel deals and tips, by signing up for V.I.A.'s weekly travel newsletter The Wanderer. Since travel deals can sell out, find out the day they are posted by signing up for our daily Travel Deals newsletter.

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With files from the Associated Press.