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Hurricane Sandy: Thousands hit by flight cancellations Hurricane Sandy: Thousands hit by flight cancellations
(about 1 hour later)
Thousands of transatlantic passengers are facing disruption with the cancellation of flights between Britain and the US as Hurricane Sandy hits the US east coast.Thousands of transatlantic passengers are facing disruption with the cancellation of flights between Britain and the US as Hurricane Sandy hits the US east coast.
BA and Virgin Atlantic have cancelled all flights to and from New York, Washington and Boston, with Baltimore and Philadelphia flights also cut.BA and Virgin Atlantic have cancelled all flights to and from New York, Washington and Boston, with Baltimore and Philadelphia flights also cut.
Passengers are being offered the opportunity to re-book or get a refund.Passengers are being offered the opportunity to re-book or get a refund.
But disruption could last for days if Sandy continues to intensify.But disruption could last for days if Sandy continues to intensify.
With winds now reaching 85mph, the hurricane - dubbed "Frankenstorm" - is threatening 50 million people along the densely-populated east coast.With winds now reaching 85mph, the hurricane - dubbed "Frankenstorm" - is threatening 50 million people along the densely-populated east coast.
Emergencies have been declared in a number of states from North Carolina to Connecticut.Emergencies have been declared in a number of states from North Carolina to Connecticut.
Heathrow Airport said those due to fly to the US eastern seaboard on any airline should check their flight status before travelling.
The airport said on Monday that a total of 12 flights arriving from the US and 47 departures had been cancelled.
The bulk of the cancellations were by the largest operator, British Airways.
It has cancelled all of its scheduled flights to the region: a total of 20 return flights between Heathrow and New York, Boston, Washington, Baltimore and Philadelphia, and a business flight from London City to New York.
BA has advised customers to check the status of their flights on its website before going to Heathrow.
In a statement BA said: "We understand that customers may be disappointed, however, their safety is our highest priority.
"We are offering the option to re-book or receive a refund to those customers whose flights are cancelled.
"We have also received reports that public transport links to east coast US airports may be disrupted, so advise customers to review their flight and local travel plans before leaving for the airport."
'Safety is highest priority''Safety is highest priority'
United Airlines has cancelled departures from Manchester and Birmingham to some US cities, and Virgin Atlantic has already cancelled early flights on Tuesday to JFK and Newark Airport in New York - a sign that the storm could cause delays for more than 24 hours. Virgin Atlantic has cancelled a total of 14 flights: six return flights from Heathrow Airport to New York, one flight to Washington and one to Boston.
A spokesman for Virgin Atlantic highlighted the "number one priority" of passenger and crew safety.A spokesman for Virgin Atlantic highlighted the "number one priority" of passenger and crew safety.
He said: "We are continuously liaising with local authorities to assess the situation and minimise the disruption caused to passengers."He said: "We are continuously liaising with local authorities to assess the situation and minimise the disruption caused to passengers."
He advised passengers to check the Virgin website for latest updates.He advised passengers to check the Virgin website for latest updates.
So far Virgin has cancelled 14 flights from Heathrow Airport to the US east coast, while British Airways has cancelled a total of 20. United Airlines has cancelled departures from Manchester and Birmingham to some US cities, and Virgin Atlantic has already cancelled early flights on Tuesday to JFK and Newark Airport in New York - a sign that the storm could cause delays for more than 24 hours.
BA is advising customers to check the status of their flights on its website before going to Heathrow.
In a statement BA said: "We understand that customers may be disappointed, however, their safety is our highest priority.
"We are offering the option to re-book or receive a refund to those customers whose flights are cancelled.
"We have also received reports that public transport links to east coast US airports may be disrupted, so advise customers to review their flight and local travel plans before leaving for the airport."
Delta cancelled four flights from Heathrow - three to New York and one to Boston.Delta cancelled four flights from Heathrow - three to New York and one to Boston.
Heathrow Airport said those due to fly to the US eastern seaboard on any airline should href="http://www.heathrowairport.com/flight-information/destinations-and-airlines" >check their flight status before travelling. New York authorities have warned that the storm could cause sea levels to rise, swamping parts of Lower Manhattan, flooding the underground transport system and cutting off electricity supplies and communications.
The airport said on Monday that a total of 12 flights arriving from the US and 47 departures had been cancelled. The New York Stock Exchange was not operating on Monday and the United Nations headquarters in the city has been closed.
Widespread destruction forecast href="http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/north-central-america/united-states" >The Foreign Office said the British consulates in Boston and New York would be closed on Monday, and the British Embassy in Washington would operate a reduced service.
In New York thousands of people have been ordered to leave their homes, and evacuation shelters have been set up in 76 schools. 'It's eerily quiet'
The authorities have warned that the storm could cause sea levels to rise - swamping parts of Lower Manhattan, flooding the underground transport system and cutting off electricity supplies and communications. UK passengers and those living in the US have described the atmosphere ahead of the storm.
The New York Stock Exchange is not operating on Monday and the United Nations headquarters in the city has been closed. From New York, James Pitkin, who is originally from London, told the BBC: "Everywhere is deserted. The transport system is shut so there's no-one at work.
href="http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/north-central-america/united-states" >The Foreign Office said the British consulates in Boston and New York would be closed, and the British Embassy in Washington would operate a reduced service. "It's strange being able to cross the road on a green light. It's eerily quiet. Sandbags have been put out in places."
Hurricane Sandy - which has killed 60 people in the Caribbean during the past week - could cause destruction over 800 miles from the east coast to the Great Lakes as it merges with a wintry storm from the western US. Others expressed frustration at travel "chaos".
Jan Lundy from Northumberland said she was concerned her daughter - who is currently "stuck" in Virginia - might not be able to get back to the UK in time for her wedding next week.
"She can't leave because of the cancelled flights, so the week before her wedding is becoming very chaotic.
"She is at the airport trying to get a flight and we think she may just have got a flight for herself, but so far there's no flight for her husband-to-be.
"It seems to be total chaos where she is."
Justin Holder from Andover - who flew into New York last night - said he was "now stuck till at least Wednesday" in the city.
"I'm here for business meetings with clients. We're a small business, so while I'd rather not be here, I had to come."
Hurricane Sandy could cause destruction over 800 miles from the east coast to the Great Lakes as it merges with a wintry storm from the western US.
Forecasters say its maximum sustained wind speeds have increased to 85mph, with more powerful gusts possible.Forecasters say its maximum sustained wind speeds have increased to 85mph, with more powerful gusts possible.
At 08:00 EDT (12:00 GMT), the storm was churning about 310 miles (505km) south-east of New York, according the US National Hurricane Center.At 08:00 EDT (12:00 GMT), the storm was churning about 310 miles (505km) south-east of New York, according the US National Hurricane Center.
Apart from New York, states of emergency have also been declared in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington DC and a coastal county in North Carolina.Apart from New York, states of emergency have also been declared in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington DC and a coastal county in North Carolina.
The storm is also forcing presidential candidates to adjust schedules and cancel events, just one week before the US elections.
Are you affected by the cancellation of flights between Britain and the US? Send us your experiences using the form below.Are you affected by the cancellation of flights between Britain and the US? Send us your experiences using the form below.