(This article has been updated to include the latest information.)

Hurricane Milton, currently a Category 4 storm, is approaching Florida and is expected to hit the area two weeks after Hurricane Helene. As a result, nearly 700 flights within the U.S. have been canceled for Tuesday, with over 1,500 already canceled for Wednesday, according to FlightAware, a flight-monitoring service.

Major airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines have implemented waivers that allow passengers flying to or from certain Florida airports to adjust their tickets without any additional fees—even if they’ve purchased a basic economy ticket. Travelers should visit their airline’s website for detailed information regarding travel advisories.

According to the Department of Transportation regulations, passengers whose flights are canceled can request a refund. However, there’s no obligation for airlines to provide any compensation for delays caused by weather since such conditions are beyond the airlines’ control.

Several airports in the area, including Tampa International Airport and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, will stop operations on Tuesday, while Orlando International Airport is set to reduce operations by Wednesday morning.

Here’s what passengers should understand about their entitlements during flight disturbances.

Are You Eligible for Compensation for a Canceled Flight?

Yes. The Department of Transportation mandates that airlines provide refunds to passengers for canceled flights, regardless of the reason. If a flight is canceled for reasons that the airline controls, additional compensation may be applicable, but weather-related cancellations fall outside this category.

As per the DOT’s consumer dashboard, airlines like Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue, and United will do the following if they cancel a flight for a controllable issue:

• Rebook passengers on the same or a partner airline without extra fees.
• Offer meals, cash, or meal vouchers to passengers waiting over 3 hours for a new flight after a cancellation.
• Provide complimentary hotel stays for passengers affected by overnight cancellations.
• Supply free ground transport to and from the hotel for those needing overnight accommodations.

Allegiant, Southwest, and Spirit will do the above, but they won’t rebook passengers on partner airlines.

However, Frontier does not rebook customers on other airlines, nor do they provide hotel accommodations or transportation for overnight cancellations.

What can I do if my flight is Delayed?

Federal regulations do not ensure compensation for travelers with delayed flights, but many airlines promise some compensation for significant delays that fall within their control. Each airline defines what constitutes a “significant delay,” and, as always, weather is excluded.

For significant delays under their control, airlines like Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, and United will:

• Rebook passengers on the same or a partner airline without additional fees.
• Provide meals, cash, or meal vouchers to those waiting over 3 hours due to the delay.
• Offer complimentary hotel stays for passengers affected by overnight delays.
• Supply complimentary ground transport to and from a hotel if needed for overnight delays.

Allegiant, Hawaiian, Southwest, and Spirit might not rebook passengers with partner airlines but generally offer the same benefits outlined above. Additionally, Alaska, JetBlue, and Southwest provide further compensation when a delay lasts three hours or longer due to controllable circumstances.

Frontier provides rebooking on the same airlines and meals but does not cover hotel stays, transportation, or rebooking on other carriers.

What Should I Do if My Flight is Delayed?

Airlines may sometimes offer compensation that exceeds their official commitments to the Department of Transportation.

For example, under Delta’s Customer Commitment, “Delta representatives have the discretion to offer various forms of compensation for passenger inconvenience based on individual circumstances, such as cash equivalents (like gift cards), travel vouchers, or SkyMiles for members.”

Additionally, travel insurance and certain credit card benefits can help recover costs associated with qualifying cancellations and delays.