Tropical Storm Debby triggers 1,600 flight cancellations after a challenging weekend for air travel

Cancellations are rising on Monday as Tropical Storm Debby approaches Florida, adding to the disruptions experienced over the past few days due to severe storms across the East Coast.

As of 2:30 p.m. EDT Monday, over 1,600 flights in the U.S. had been canceled, based on information from flight-tracking service FlightAware.

The worst disruptions are occurring in Florida and the Southeast, where Debby's strong winds and heavy rainfall are expected to hit hardest.

The Federal Aviation Administration predicted that cancellations and delays would keep increasing throughout the day, as stated in their Monday morning report.

As of Monday afternoon, Orlando International Airport (MCO) reported that over 20% of its departing flights had been canceled. Cancellation rates at Tampa International Airport (TPA) are nearing 30%, while Miami International Airport (MIA) is experiencing around a 10% cancellation rate, according to FlightAware.

Debby made landfall in Florida on Monday morning as a Category 1 hurricane, with the National Hurricane Center issuing warnings about potentially severe flooding conditions.

The storm is causing significant flight disruptions for travelers going to and from Florida, according to a statement from Tampa airport officials late Monday morning. While the airport remains operational, it may suspend operations intermittently due to heavy rain, strong winds, and lightning.

On social media Monday, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg cautioned travelers about possible disruptions to air and ground travel as the storm approaches the Southeast.

In recent days, travelers have already faced a wave of delays and cancellations along the East Coast, following a stormy weekend that resulted in thousands of flight cancellations. Since Friday, more than 6,000 flights have been canceled, according to FlightAware.

"We've had quite a bit of luck with the weather this year. Until now," stated Marty St. George, president of JetBlue, in a social media update.

A chaotic weekend for air travel

Travelers encountered significant frustrations over the weekend at various East Coast airports, particularly at major hubs in the New York City area. TPG managing editor Clint Henderson, who was among those affected by the disruptions, experienced a prolonged ground delay after a transatlantic flight with Delta Air Lines to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), ultimately arriving at a remote location before needing to take a bus to customs.

American Airlines, operating six hubs along the East Coast, has been the most impacted U.S. carrier in recent days, having canceled nearly 1,400 flights since Saturday, including almost 20% of its operations on Sunday.

These weather-related challenges mark another frustrating chapter for air travelers in recent weeks. The industry has endured thousands of cancellations following a late-July IT failure at CrowdStrike, which triggered a prolonged operational crisis at Delta Air Lines, now being investigated by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

From Memorial Day weekend to July 18, U.S. airlines canceled 1.5% of their flights, according to FlightAware data. Since July 19, the overall cancellation rate for the industry has risen to well over 3%.

Advice for navigating air travel this week

Here are some steps you can take if you're impacted by the ongoing disruptions or if you have upcoming travel plans.

Heed the guidance of local officials

Your safety is the top priority. If you’re in an affected region, please follow local authorities' instructions before deciding to leave home for the airport.

Watch for travel alerts

Keep an eye on your email and your airline’s app to check if your journey is impacted by a travel alert, which may allow you to adjust your plans to avoid the worst of the severe weather disruptions.

In recent days, several U.S. airlines have issued travel alerts to accommodate trips affected by the severe weather from the past weekend and the impacts of Debby. These alerts typically provide passengers with greater flexibility to modify their tickets and rebook without incurring fare differences during significant disruptions.

For example, American Airlines issued travel alerts for several East Coast airports due to the storms over the weekend, as well as for Florida airports expected to be heavily impacted by Debby.

Know your right to a refund

Typically, cancellations and delays caused by weather provide passengers with limited options to seek refunds or compensation from airlines—unlike issues stemming from maintenance or significant IT failures like those we experienced a few weeks ago.

Since weather is considered beyond an airline's control, the commitments made by carriers on the U.S. Department of Transportation's customer service dashboard generally do not apply when air travel is disrupted by hurricanes, thunderstorms, or blizzards.

Nonetheless, federal refund regulations do still apply.

If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed and you decide not to travel, and if you do not accept alternatives like rebooking, you are entitled to a refund for the unused portion of your ticket—no matter the reason for the disruption.

Remember your credit card protections

While airlines may be reluctant to offer compensation for weather-related flight disruptions that leave you stranded, the travel insurance benefits provided by your credit card could be beneficial.

Several popular travel credit cards offer protections that can help you recover expenses for unexpected hotel stays, meals, and transportation incurred during travel disruptions—including those caused by weather events.

Keep your airline app handy

Prepare for long queues at customer service and extended wait times to speak with a customer service representative by phone.

Often, you can use your airline's app to easily rebook yourself on another flight with just a few taps. This is a go-to strategy of mine to skip the lengthy hold times.

Your airline app can also assist you in tracking your luggage (available with many airlines) and provide real-time updates on your incoming flight, helping you gauge whether your flight might leave on schedule.

Stay ready for the unexpected

Traveling during disruptions like those we’ve seen this week can be quite chaotic, so the more patience you can muster and the better you can prepare for surprises, the smoother your journey will be. Keep some snacks handy in case you find yourself waiting longer than expected, whether in line, at the gate, or onboard your flight.

Before you board, make sure to use the restroom and fill your water bottle; your aircraft might get stuck in a prolonged ground delay due to ongoing disruptions. This could delay inflight service, and typically, passengers aren’t allowed to move around while on the taxiway.

Additionally, be ready for crowds—both in the airport terminal and possibly in lounges you belong to. With rising delays and cancellations, many travelers will be stuck in the terminal, and seating fills up fast.

Here’s more on what steps you can take if your flight is canceled or delayed.