Skip to main content

Travel to Mexico impacted by Hurricane Helene: Airlines provide rebooking options

Major airlines offer Mexico travel waivers

Ruins of Tulum, Mexico and a palm tree overlooking the Caribbean Sea in the Riviera Maya
jkraft5 / Adobe Stock

As Hurricane Helene intensifies and moves north toward the Florida Panhandle, its impacts are being felt far beyond the U.S. coastline. Travelers heading to or returning from Mexico may face significant disruptions in their plans due to the storm’s growing strength. The hurricane, with its most dangerous and life-threatening conditions concentrated near the eye, is expected to make landfall on Thursday evening.

While the Department of Transportation mandates that airlines offer full refunds for flights canceled or significantly delayed for reasons within the airline’s control, weather-related cancellations, such as those caused by Hurricane Helene, are not covered by this regulation.

Recommended Videos

Nevertheless, in response to the storm’s severity, many major airlines are offering waivers to impacted travelers, allowing them to reschedule their flights without penalty as long as they do so within a specified window.

Which airlines have issued travel waivers?

United Airlines airplane flying
David Syphers / Unsplash

These are the airlines that have issued Mexico travel waivers.

  • Alaska Airlines: Travelers with flights to or from Cancun (CUN) between September 25 and September 27 can rebook or cancel their flights for free. The new departure date must be no later than September 30.
  • American Airlines: Travelers with flights to or from Cancun (CUN) and Cozumel (CZM) between September 24 and September 27 can rebook their flights for free. The new departure date must be no later than October 4 and travel must be rebooked by September 27.
  • Delta Air Lines: Travelers with flights to or from Cancun (CUN) and Tulum (TQO) between September 25 and September 27 can rebook their flights for free. The new departure date must be no later than October 4.
  • United Airlines: Travelers with flights to or from Cancun (CUN), Cozumel (CZM), and Tulum (TQO) between September 24 and September 27 can rebook their flights for free. The new departure date must be no later than October 4.

All of these airlines, as well as Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines, are also offering rebooking options for flights within the United States that are impacted by Helene. 

Passengers with plans to fly to Mexico in the coming days are encouraged to check with their airline for the latest updates on flight changes, as delays and cancellations are likely as the storm’s path continues to develop.

Amanda Teague
Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer featured in several online publications, is a dedicated explorer of both the world…
Turkish Airlines commemorates local heritage with new amenity kits
Turkish Airlines introduces UNESCO-inspired amenity kits
UNESCO Türkiye Series

Turkish Airlines will commemorate its home country’s heritage with unique amenities kits. The collection, known as the “UNESCO Türkiye Series”, takes inspiration from six UNESCO World Heritage sites: Nemrut, Göbeklitepe, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Ani, and Troy. Also included are three traditional carpet rug motifs, and four different ebru (Turkish Marbling) designs. To develop the kit, the carrier worked with the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO.
The amenity kit is an artistic travel keepsake
UNESCO Türkiye Series kit Turkish Airlines / Turkish Airlines

The kits are available on Business Class flights of five to eight hours, with other versions debuting in mid-January on Economy flights over eight hours. Each keepsake reflects modern design and thousands of years of Anatolian artistic heritage and history. Included are hand and body lotion and  lip balm made by luxury brand Ex Nihilo. Additionally, items like toothbrushes, socks, and eye masks are comprised of about 80% recycled materials. The UNESCO Türkiye Series provides cultural storytelling and passenger comfort while sharing the country’s heritage at 35,000 feet. 

Read more
What travelers should know about the Santorini earthquake situation
The island is under a state of emergency until March 3
Santorini

A state of emergency has been declared in Santorini after the strongest earthquake in days rocked the island, sending waves of panic through the popular Greek tourist destination. The near-constant tremors, which began last week, have now driven thousands of residents and visitors to flee.

The latest and most powerful quake, a magnitude 5.2, struck on Wednesday evening – the first to exceed 5.0 since the seismic activity began. As aftershocks continue to rattle the island, authorities have urged caution, warning of potential further quakes. So far, an estimated 11,000 people have evacuated Santorini.
Santorini on lockdown

Read more
Here’s why a desert safari in Dubai should be on your travel bucket list
An experience unique to the Middle East
Dubai Safari

From luxurious shopping malls to modern architecture, Dubai has much to see and explore for travelers. Attracting over 16 million international tourists annually, Dubai is known worldwide as a hub for business, culture, and unmatched luxury. Yet, before the city we know today was built, Dubai was nothing more than miles and miles of desert sand. A simple online image search will show you dozens of before and after photos that will completely blow your mind.

Located just an hour from the city, the desert remains and is ready to be explored by visitors interested to see what the desert is really like. While most of your trip's itinerary will encompass city sightseeing, such as visiting the Burj Khalifa, visiting the desert is a refreshing and authentic experience you can't miss on a trip to Dubai. Here's why a desert safari in Dubai is worth adding to your travel bucket list.
Desert Safari Dubai ride

Read more