Hundreds of flights affected as Hurricane Beryl prepares to hit Houston

After moving through the Caribbean last week, Hurricane Beryl is expected to hit Texas today as a Category 1 hurricane and significantly disrupt travel from some of the state’s largest centers.

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), as of 7 a.m. local time Monday, Beryl was just 40 miles from Houston and moving at 12 mph toward the city. Current NHC warnings include:

• Hurricane warning for Mesquite Bay north of Port Bolivar, which includes Galveston near Houston.
• Tropical Storm Warning for Port Golibar north to Sabine Pass.

These areas should be prepared for “devastating hurricane-force winds,” the NHC said, as well as “potentially life-threatening storm surges” along the coast.

Impact of theft

According to Flight Aware, as of 7:30 a.m. Houston local time, 80% of the flight schedule from Houston Bush (IAH) is delayed, representing over 500 flights, and 60% of the schedule at William Hobby (HOU) is delayed. Cancellations at both airports are currently low, but the situation is expected to change rapidly throughout the day.

Other Texas airports have also been impacted, including Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), which is also experiencing cancellations (37 flights, or 3% of its total schedule) and delays (26 flights, or 2% of its daily schedule). Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP), a smaller airport south of Houston along the Gulf Coast, is also experiencing major impacts, with 84% of its schedule delayed.

Houston Airports, the association that represents both Houston Bush and William Hobby, recommends that all passengers check both their flight status and the latest weather updates before heading to the airport.

“We encourage all travelers to prioritize the safety of themselves and their families. Please follow the advice of local authorities regarding hurricane preparedness,” Houston Airports said Sunday ahead of Beryl’s arrival.

Flight exemptions

American Airlines is currently offering a waiver for travel through July 9 at many Texas airports, including Houston, Austin International (AUS), Corpus Christi (CRP), and Beaumont (BPT). The full list of airports is available on American’s website.

American is allowing new flights to be free of charge through July 16.

Delta Air Lines has issued a waiver to Houston and Austin airports, as well as San Antonio (SA) and McCallen (MFE) airports. Delta’s waiver is valid through July 9 and allows for changes to reservations through July 12.

JetBlue has issued an exemption for Austin, Houston and San Antonio, for travel through July 9. Affected travelers can rebook for travel through July 16.

Southwest Airlines is offering a waiver for travel through July 9 to Austin, Corpus Christi, both Houston airports and San Antonio. Southwest Airlines is waiving fare differences for flight changes made within 14 days of the original ticket.

United has issued a waiver for Houston airports as well as Austin, Corpus Christi and several other Texas airports (full list available on United’s website) for travel through July 9. United’s waiver allows bookings through July 16.

WestJet has granted an exemption for Houston Bush and Austin for travel through July 9.