What kind of impacts can one expect when it comes to tropical storms/hurricanes/bad weather expected? What kind of routing occurs? For example, I fly WN on Tuesday evening HOU-MCO. TS Alberto could be a depression by then, but will flights even flying through a path of such storms? I expect the flight path to be over the Gulf, but still doesn't mean it will avoid such areas.

Quoting indcwby (thread starter), "What kind of impacts can one expect when it comes to tropical storms/hurricanes/bad weather . . "

indcwby, this is not unusual and happens frequently in the airline industry--in the spring and summer due to thunderstorms, hurricanes, tropical storms, etc., and in the fall and winter due to blizzards, freezing rain, high winds, etc. (Well, high winds can occur anytime; not just winter).

The major airlines all employ full time meteorologists who work in the airlines' operation control centers and continually monitor weather patterns around the world (or throughout the airline's network) and provide information and recommendations to the Dispatchers. When a weather anomaly is detected, adjustments are made to the schedule to protect the passengers, crews, and aircraft. These adjustments may include delays, diversions, and/or cancellations. Obviously, if possible, you don't want crews and aircraft stuck at an airport that may get hit by severe weather, so often airlines will begin to cancel flights preemptively.

If you go to the websites of the primary airlines who fly to the areas affected by Tropical Storm Alberto (American, Delta, Southwest, and United), all have travel advisories posted for airports in the area--generally airports in Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi. These advisories can change as the storm continues to develop and evolve. Take a look at them--they are posted on Southwest's website.

you asked, "will flights even flying through a path of such storms?"

Of course not! If the dispatchers can safely route the aircraft from the origin to the destination by circumventing the weather, they will do so, but they are not going to intentionally route the aircraft through a hurricane, tropical storm, thunderstorm, etc. If not, they will cancel the flight.

and finally, you stated, " I expect the flight path to be over the Gulf . . ."

that's not necessarily true. While a straight-line routing from Houston to Orlando would cross the Gulf of Mexico, it might be safer or more economical to plan an alternative route. While I think TS Alberto will have moved farther north by Tuesday meaning a Gulf route might be the optimum routing for your flight, I have flown many times between DFW/Houston/New Orleans to Orlando/Tampa where we never went over water--we followed an inland route--along the Gulf coast and Mississippi/Alabama/Florida coastline to destination.

I hope this helps.

e38

Thanks for your input, e38. A pilot friend pointed out that a good number of WN's flight usually take the following route:
Q100 REMIS routing which takes it into the Gulf of Mexico.

of course, but just for your information, most major air carriers have pre-planned routings between city pairs--also known as standardized routes, preferential routing, or canned routes--but if the dispatcher determines that an alternate route can provide more favorable winds, be more economical, or safer, then a different route between city pairs can be used. Occasionally, air traffic control (ATC) will dictate a different route to facilitate a more efficient flow of air traffic.

e38