Hurricane Milton: Virgin Atlantic cancels 23 flights to Florida as US faces 'storm of the century'

Virgin Atlantic has cancelled 23 between the UK and Florida due to adverse conditions expected to be caused by .

The hurricane, which US President said could be "the worst storm to hit Florida in over a century", is expected to make landfall late on Wednesday. Millions of people have been ordered to evacuate their homes and the Tampa Bay area faces the possibility of widespread destruction after avoiding direct hits from major hurricanes for more than a century.

The National Hurricane Center predicted Milton, a monstrous Category 5 hurricane during much of its approach, would likely weaken but remain a major hurricane when it makes landfall. Due to the hurricane, said it has altered its flight schedule, with services to and from Orlando and Tampa being subject to cancellations and delays.

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Any passenger travelling to and from these destinations have been urged to check the British airline's website for the latest information. In total, 23 flights between Tuesday, October 8 and Thursday, October 10 have been cancelled.

Virgin said it is working hard to rebook customers onto alternative flights, but due to limited availability, new flights "may depart on a different date, may involve travel via a connecting airport, or may depart/arrive at an alternative airport." The airline said it is in touch with customers due to travel these days and facing cancellations due to the conditions.

It also urged customers to avoid calling in, as the customer service team is contacting everyone whose travel plans will be affected. As a result of Hurricane Milton, the following services have been cancelled:

Tuesday October 8 2024

VS129 – London Heathrow to Tampa
VS130 – Tampa to London Heathrow

Wednesday October 9 2024

VS129 – London Heathrow to Tampa
VS130 – Tampa to London Heathrow
VS074 – Orlando to
VS075 – Manchester to Orlando
VS076 – Orlando to Manchester
VS091 – London Heathrow to Orlando
VS092 – Orlando to London Heathrow
VS135 - London Heathrow to Orlando
VS136 – Orlando to London Heathrow
VS225 – Edinburgh – Orlando has been delayed by 23 hours and will now operate on Thursday, October 10.

Thursday October 10 2024

VS129 – London Heathrow to Tampa
VS130 – Tampa to London Heathrow
VS073 – Manchester to Orlando
VS074 – Orlando to Manchester
VS075 – Manchester to Orlando
VS076 – Orlando to Manchester
VS091 – London Heathrow to Orlando
VS092 – Orlando to London Heathrow
VS135 - London Heathrow to Orlando
VS136 – Orlando to London Heathrow
VS225 – Edinburgh – Orlando has been delayed by a further 23 hours and will now operate on Friday, October 11

Virgin Atlantic said in a statement: "Due to adverse weather conditions expected to be caused by Hurricane Milton, a state of emergency has been declared in Florida. Unfortunately, this has impacted Virgin Atlantic's flying schedule, and services to and from Orlando and Tampa are subject to cancellations and delays.

"We ask that anyone travelling checks the status of their flights on for the latest information." The airline added: "We've been working hard to rebook our customers onto alternative flights, however due to limited availability, new flights may depart on a different date, may involve travel via a connecting airport, or may depart/arrive at an alternative airport.

"Virgin Atlantic will also communicate with customers should there be any changes to flights. Please ensure your contact details are added to your booking through the ‘My Booking’ section of the website, to ensure you can receive updates as needed."

Milton was centered early Wednesday about 360 miles (580km) southwest of Tampa with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 kmh), the National Hurricane Centre reported. Forecasters predicted the storm will retain hurricane strength as it crosses central Florida on Thursday on a path east toward the Atlantic Ocean.

The hurricane's precise track remained uncertain, as forecasters Tuesday evening nudged its projected path slightly south of Tampa. Thousands of fleeing cars clogged Florida's highways ahead of the storm, but time for evacuations was running out Wednesday. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor noted that up to 15 feet (4.5m) of storm surge forecast for her city would be deep enough to swallow an entire house.

"So if you're in it, basically that's the coffin that you're in," Castor said. Milton targets communities still reeling two weeks after Hurricane Helene flooded streets and homes in western Florida along its devastating march that left at least 230 dead across the South. In the bayside town of Punta Gorda, about 100 miles (160km) south of Tampa, streets were still filled Tuesday with 5-foot (1.5m) piles of soggy furniture, clothing, books, appliances and other trash dragged from damaged homes.

Authorities have issued mandatory evacuation orders across 11 Florida counties with a combined population of about 5.9 million people, according to US Census Bureau estimates. Officials have warned that anyone staying behind must fend for themselves, as first responders are not expected to risk their lives attempting rescues at the height of the storm.

In Riverview, south of Tampa, several drivers waiting in a long line for fuel Tuesday said they had no plans to evacuate. "I think we'll just hang, you know - tough it out," said Martin Oakes, of nearby Apollo Beach. "We got shutters up. The house is all ready. So this is sort of the last piece of the puzzle." Others weren't taking any chances after Helene.