Thousands of Britons planning to travel to the US over the half term holidays face disruption Monday after airlines cancelled flights to the east coast due to Hurricane Sandy.
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic were among those to scrap all flights to cities including New York and Washington because of weather fears.
Hurricane Sandy, dubbed “Frankenstorm” due to its arrival close to Halloween, has prompted US authorities to lock down much of the eastern US in anticipation of storm surges, driving rain and strong winds.
Authorities in New York ordered the evacuation Sunday of 375,000 people from low-lying coastal areas while more than 7,400 flights out of east coast hubs have also been cancelled.
British Airways said in a statement Monday that it had cancelled all flights for the day to and from the east coast.
“This includes New York, Baltimore, Washington, Boston and Philadelphia (with the exception of the BA238 from Boston),” it said.
“We understand that customers may be disappointed, however their safety is our highest priority.
“We are offering the option to rebook or receive a refund to those customers whose flights are cancelled.”
Virgin Atlantic has cancelled all flights on Monday to and from New York and Washington, as well as the VS11 to Boston, it said.
Other airlines flying similar routes are also affected.
Airports are advising all travellers hoping to travel to the east coast of the US to check the status of their flight with their airline before leaving home.
President Barack Obama has warned people not to under-estimate the possible impact of the storm.
“My first message is to all people across the eastern seaboard, mid-Atlantic going north. You need to take this very seriously,” he said.
Governors have declared states of emergency in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia and the US capital Washington.
US-bound passengers face hurricane travel disruption
