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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. Many flights due to leave on Tuesday have already been cancelled.
With winds now reaching 85mph, the hurricane - dubbed "Frankenstorm" - is threatening 50 million people along the densely-populated east coast. With winds now reported to be more than 90mph, the hurricane - dubbed "Frankenstorm" - is gaining strength, the href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT3+shtml/281457.shtml" >National Hurricane Center (NHC) has said.
Emergencies have been declared in a number of states from North Carolina to Connecticut. About 50 million people in a 800-mile (1,300-km) swathe of the US are threatened by heavy rain, wind and snow.
Emergencies have been declared in nine US states, including North Carolina, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
President Barack Obama warned Americans during a White House speech to follow emergency instructions if they are in the storm's path.
He said: "Do not delay, don't pause, don't question the instructions that are being given."
Cancellations
In total, 54 flights from UK airports to the US were cancelled on Monday, with more departures due to be halted on Tuesday.In total, 54 flights from UK airports to the US were cancelled on Monday, with more departures due to be halted on Tuesday.
Heathrow Airport said those due to fly to the US eastern seaboard on any airline should check their flight status before travelling.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 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 Heathrow's largest operator, British Airways.The bulk of the cancellations were by Heathrow's 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.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.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.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 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.""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'
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.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."
Virgin Atlantic have also cancelled early flights on Tuesday to JFK and Newark Airport in New York. Passengers have been advised to check the Virgin website for latest updates.Virgin Atlantic have also cancelled early flights on Tuesday to JFK and Newark Airport in New York. Passengers have been advised to check the Virgin website for latest updates.
United Airlines cancelled 14 departures from UK airports on Monday to New York and Washington DC: eight were due to depart from Heathrow, two from Manchester and one each from Belfast, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow.United Airlines cancelled 14 departures from UK airports on Monday to New York and Washington DC: eight were due to depart from Heathrow, two from Manchester and one each from Belfast, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
They have not announced whether any flights will be cancelled on Tuesday.They have not announced whether any flights will be cancelled on Tuesday.
American Airlines has cancelled all seven flights which were due to depart from the UK on Tuesday: five return flights from Heathrow to New York, one from Heathrow to Boston and one from Manchester to New York.American Airlines has cancelled all seven flights which were due to depart from the UK on Tuesday: five return flights from Heathrow to New York, one from Heathrow to Boston and one from Manchester to New York.
The same number of flights were cancelled on Monday.The same number of flights were cancelled on Monday.
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.
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.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 New York Stock Exchange was not operating on Monday and the United Nations headquarters in the city has been closed.The New York Stock Exchange was not operating on Monday and the United Nations headquarters in the city has been closed.
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.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.
'It's eerily quiet''It's eerily quiet'
UK passengers and those living in the US have described the atmosphere ahead of the storm.UK passengers and those living in the US have described the atmosphere ahead of the storm.
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.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.
"It's strange being able to cross the road on a green light. It's eerily quiet. Sandbags have been put out in places.""It's strange being able to cross the road on a green light. It's eerily quiet. Sandbags have been put out in places."
Others expressed frustration at travel "chaos".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.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 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."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.""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.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.""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. At 14:00 EDT (18:00 GMT), Sandy was churning about 170 miles south-east of New York City, the NHC said.
Forecasters say its maximum sustained wind speeds have increased to 85mph, with more powerful gusts possible. Nine states of emergency have been called in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and District of Columbia.
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.
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.