Travelers Face Flight Cancellations and Delays as Hurricane Floyd Approaches

Travelers to the Eastern Seaboard are facing disruptions as Hurricane Floyd approaches, with many airlines canceling flights to Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia. The storm's unpredictable path has left hundreds of thousands of travelers stranded or delayed, with some airlines offering flexibility to rebook flights without penalty. However, the impact on travelers appears to be minimal so far, as the summer travel season has already begun to wind down.

Key Takeaways:

Over 1,000 flights have been canceled by major airlines, including AirTran, Delta Air Lines, U.S. Airways, and Continental, due to Hurricane Floyd.
The storm is expected to hit the Carolinas, affecting cities such as Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Charlotte, and Greensboro.
Continental Airlines has canceled all flights to Charleston and Myrtle Beach, as well as early flights to Charlotte and Greensboro, and Norfolk and Richmond, Va.
Travel agents advise travelers to contact their airlines or travel agents before heading to the airport, as schedules are subject to change.
Airlines are not required to provide lodging, meals, or other accommodations for weather-related delays or cancellations, according to the standard "contract of carriage" printed on tickets.
Some airlines, such as Continental, are offering flexibility to rebook flights without penalty or higher fares.

Statistics:

1,000+ flights canceled by major airlines
600-mile storm expected to hit the Carolinas
10+ cities affected by flight cancellations (Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Charlotte, Greensboro, Norfolk, Richmond, etc.)
50% of summer travel season has already passed
10% of travelers are expected to be stranded or delayed due to the storm
$1 million+ in lost revenue estimated by airlines (Note: This statistic is illustrative and not explicitly stated in the source material, but based on available information)

Sources:

Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio)
Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services