Tropical Storm Nolo Flight Waivers for Hawaii Travelers
6 min read. No affiliate links in this article.
Tropical Storm Nolo flight waivers are now active for Hawaii travel. As of September 24, 2026, Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines have a waiver for Hilo (ITO), Southwest has one for Hilo and Kona, American Airlines has one covering Honolulu, Kahului, Kona, and Līhuʻe, and Delta has one for Kona, Kahului, and Honolulu. If you have a flight between Thursday and Sunday, check your reservation today. Alaska and Hawaiian require you to change before your original flight leaves, and the other airlines have firm rebooking deadlines.
Quick overviewTap to expand
- Hawaii County is under a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning, and Maui County is under a tropical storm watch, as of September 24, 2026.
- The Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines Nolo waiver covers Hilo (ITO) tickets bought by September 23 for travel September 24 to 27, with free rebooking through September 30.
- American Airlines waives change fees on all fares, including Basic Economy, for HNL, OGG, KOA, and LIH travel September 24 to 28.
- Delta's waiver covers KOA, OGG, and HNL for tickets issued by September 24 and travel September 26 to 27. Change by September 30 and fly by September 30 in the same cabin to avoid a fare difference.
- Southwest lets customers booked to or from Hilo or Kona on September 25 to 27 rebook or fly standby within 14 days of the original date, between the same cities, with no change in airfare.
- Do not wait for a cancellation if you want to move your trip. Every waiver has a deadline, and Alaska and Hawaiian require changes before your original departure.
Big Island and Maui ʻohana, this one is for you first. We just got through Lala in August and Lowell earlier this month, so I know a lot of families are tired and already stretched. This guide is here to make the flight side of Nolo simple so you can focus on your people and your home.
Is Tropical Storm Nolo going to affect Hawaii flights this weekend?
Tropical Storm Nolo is most likely to disrupt flights at Hilo and Kona first, and possibly Kahului, from Friday through the weekend. Forecasters expect tropical storm conditions on Hawaiʻi Island by late Friday, possible hurricane conditions by early Saturday, and tropical storm conditions reaching Maui County starting Saturday, before Nolo turns west and passes south of the smaller islands.
Here is where things stood on Thursday, September 24, 2026, based on the Central Pacific Hurricane Center 2 p.m. HST advisory, the National Weather Service, and the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency:
- Warnings: Hawaii County is under a hurricane watch and a tropical storm warning. Maui County (Maui, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi, and Kahoʻolawe) is under a tropical storm watch.
- Strength: Nolo had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph Thursday afternoon and is forecast to become a hurricane Thursday night, possibly reaching major hurricane strength (Category 3) by the weekend.
- Rain: Hawaiʻi Island could see 15 to 20 inches of rain, with isolated totals up to 35 inches. Maui could see 5 to 10 inches, with isolated totals up to 20 inches. A flood watch covers Hawaiʻi Island and Maui County through Saturday afternoon, and forecasters warn of life-threatening flooding and mudslides.
- Oʻahu and Kauaʻi: The current forecast track keeps Nolo roughly 240 miles south of Oʻahu on Sunday, but the track is still uncertain.
For context, when Lala came through in August, Hawaiian and Alaska canceled 112 neighbor island flights and 31 transpacific flights over the three-day storm period, and officials closed Hilo and Kona airports on that Saturday (Hawaii News Now). Forecasters have said Nolo could be a stronger version of Lala, so I would plan for disruption rather than hope around it.
Which airlines have Tropical Storm Nolo travel waivers right now?
Four airlines have Nolo policies posted as of Thursday afternoon, September 24, 2026: Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines (Hilo), Southwest (Hilo and Kona), American Airlines (HNL, OGG, KOA, LIH), and Delta (KOA, OGG, HNL). I could not confirm United's Nolo terms on its website at the time of writing, so check United directly. Tap the links in the last column to go straight to each airline's official page.
| Airline | Airports covered | Ticket bought by | Original travel dates | What you can do | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines | Hilo (ITO) | September 23, 2026 | September 24 to 27 | Change with no fee and no fare difference for new travel through September 30 in the same cabin, or cancel with no fee for Account wallet funds or a credit certificate. Covers Main, First Class, Saver, and award tickets. Change before your original flight departs. | Alaska and Hawaiian waiver |
| Southwest | Hilo (ITO), Kona (KOA) | No purchase date listed | September 25 to 27 | Keep your flight, or rebook or fly standby within 14 days of your original travel date between the same cities with no change in airfare. Refund eligibility if Southwest cancels or significantly delays your flight. | Southwest travel advisory |
| American Airlines | HNL, OGG, KOA, LIH | September 23, 2026 | September 24 to 28 | Change fee waived on all fares, including Basic Economy. New travel September 24 to October 2, same cities, same cabin or pay the difference. Change by September 28. | American travel alert |
| Delta | KOA, OGG, HNL | September 24, 2026 | September 26 to 27 | Change by September 30 and fly by September 30 in the same cabin, and the fare difference is waived. Or cancel for an eCredit. | Delta Nolo advisory |
| United | Not confirmed | Check site | Check site | I could not verify United's Nolo terms as of September 24 afternoon. Check United's travel alerts page before you fly. | United travel alerts |
Waivers are not automatic. With Alaska and Hawaiian, your ticket must be changed or canceled before your original flight departs, and you can only be rebooked onto Alaska, Hawaiian, Horizon, or SkyWest flights. If you booked through Expedia, a travel agent, or another airline, you have to go through them. The Alaska and Hawaiian Nolo waiver as posted applies to tickets issued by Alaska, which have a 13-digit ticket number starting with 027. If your ticket number starts with a different code, such as Hawaiian's 173, contact the airline to confirm what applies to you.
In the airlines' own words
Here is the key line from each airline's official Nolo policy, with a link so you can read the full terms yourself. All pages were checked on September 24, 2026.
“Tickets must be changed or canceled prior to the departure of your original flight.”
Waiver covers Hilo (ITO), tickets purchased on or before September 23, original travel September 24 to 27, new travel September 23 to 30. Source: Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines Travel Advisories
“without paying a change in airfare”
Applies to customers holding reservations to, from, or through Hilo or Kona on September 25 to 27, who may rebook or fly standby within 14 days of the original travel date between the original cities. Source: Southwest Airlines Travel Advisory
“Are booked in any fare class, including Basic Economy”
Change fee waived for tickets bought by September 23, travel September 24 to 28 at HNL, OGG, KOA, or LIH, new travel September 24 to October 2, changes booked by September 28. Source: American Airlines Travel Alerts, Tropical Storm Nolo
“the fare difference will be waived”
Applies when rebooked travel in the same cabin occurs on or before September 30, for tickets issued on or before September 24 with travel September 26 to 27 at KOA, OGG, or HNL. Source: Delta Tropical Storm Nolo advisory
United's travel alerts page could not be verified at the time of writing. Check it directly: United Airlines Travel Alerts
Waivers usually expand as a storm gets closer. During Lala, Hawaiian and Alaska extended their waiver to cover more days. If your airport or date is not listed yet, check again tonight and tomorrow morning.
What should I do right now if I have a flight this weekend?
If you have any flight touching Hilo, Kona, Kahului, or Honolulu between Thursday and Sunday, take ten minutes today to check your reservation and decide whether to move it. Changing early gets you the best seats on the rebooked flights before everyone else scrambles.
- Find your ticket number and who issued it. Look at your confirmation email. The airline that issued the ticket is the one whose waiver applies, even if a partner operates the flight.
- Open the airline's advisory page and match your airport, purchase date, and travel date against the waiver terms in the table above.
- Turn on flight alerts by text and email in the airline app so you hear about delays and cancellations right away.
- Decide: fly earlier, fly later, or cancel. For interisland trips, moving to next week is usually the safest call. If you are heading to the mainland from Kona or Hilo, ask whether an earlier departure is allowed under your airline's waiver.
- Make the change before your original flight leaves. Use the app or website first. Phone lines get slammed during storms.
- Screenshot everything. Save your new itinerary, credit confirmation, and any cancellation notice. You may need them for a refund or an insurance claim.
- Handle the rest of the trip. Call your hotel, rental car, and any activity bookings. Many will work with you, but only if you reach out.
Are award tickets and Atmos Rewards bookings covered by the Nolo waiver?
Yes. The Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines Tropical Storm Nolo waiver specifically includes award tickets alongside Main, First Class, and Saver fares, as long as your trip matches the Hilo dates and airport on the waiver. That means Atmos Rewards members who booked with points can change the same way cash travelers can.
If you booked a Hawaiian flight using Atmos Rewards points, log into your account and look for the change option on the trip. If you still think of your account as HawaiianMiles, that program has moved into Atmos Rewards, and our Atmos Rewards guide walks through how bookings and points work now. For award tickets on other airlines, like American AAdvantage or Delta SkyMiles, the same airline waiver rules apply to the award ticket as long as it meets the airport and date conditions.
What if my flight gets canceled because of Nolo?
If the airline cancels your flight, you have more options than you would with a voluntary change. Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines say that when a flight is canceled, they move you to the next available flight, and you can instead change online to a flight up to 7 days earlier or later, or cancel for a refund to your original form of payment.
Under U.S. Department of Transportation rules, when an airline cancels your flight and you choose not to travel or not to accept the rebooking, you are entitled to a refund of your ticket, not just a credit. The key detail from Alaska's policy: if you cancel voluntarily for a travel credit before the airline cancels the flight, you lose eligibility for that cash refund. So if refund versus credit matters to you, and your flight has not been canceled yet, think about which way you want to go.
Your credit card may help too
Many travel credit cards include trip delay, trip cancellation, and trip interruption coverage when you pay for the trip with that card, and severe weather is often a covered reason. Depending on the card, trip delay coverage can kick in after a 6 or 12 hour delay and help with meals and a hotel if you get stuck. Pull up your card's guide to benefits before you spend money on a hotel, and keep every receipt. If you are stuck at HNL waiting it out, our HNL lounge guide shows where you can wait more comfortably.
Where can Hawaiʻi residents get official Tropical Storm Nolo updates?
The best sources for Nolo are the Central Pacific Hurricane Center for the forecast, your county emergency agency for local orders and shelters, and the state Department of Transportation for airport status. Bookmark these and skip the rumors on social media.
- Central Pacific Hurricane Center (forecast track and advisories): nhc.noaa.gov
- National Weather Service Honolulu (warnings, flood watches): weather.gov/hfo
- Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (statewide Nolo updates): dod.hawaii.gov/hiema
- Hawaii County Civil Defense and Maui County Emergency Management: check your county's official site and sign up for local alerts for evacuation orders and shelters.
- Official airline waiver pages: Alaska and Hawaiian, Southwest, American, Delta, and United.
- Aloha United Way 211: dial 2-1-1 or visit auw211.org for help finding local resources, including disaster relief information, food, and shelter.
You can also keep an eye on departures and arrivals with our HRT Flight Board.
Tropical Storm Nolo flight FAQ
Can I change my Hawaiian Airlines flight for free because of Tropical Storm Nolo?
Yes, if your trip fits the waiver. As of September 24, 2026, the Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines Nolo waiver covers Hilo (ITO) tickets bought on or before September 23 for travel September 24 to 27. You can rebook with no change fee and no fare difference through September 30 in the same cabin, or cancel for a credit.
Is Kona or Kahului covered by the Hawaiian Airlines Nolo waiver?
Not as of Thursday afternoon, September 24, 2026. The Alaska and Hawaiian waiver lists Hilo only. Southwest covers Kona, and American Airlines and Delta cover both Kona and Kahului on their own policies. Airlines often expand coverage as a storm approaches, so check the Alaska and Hawaiian advisory page again before your flight.
Does the American Airlines Nolo waiver include Basic Economy?
Yes. American Airlines waives the change fee for all fare classes, including Basic Economy, for tickets bought by September 23, 2026 and travel September 24 to 28 to or from HNL, OGG, KOA, or LIH. You must keep the same cities, rebook by September 28, and travel by October 2 in the same cabin.
Does Southwest have a Tropical Storm Nolo waiver?
Yes. As of September 24, 2026, Southwest has a Nolo travel advisory for Hilo (ITO) and Kona (KOA) covering Friday through Sunday, September 25 to 27. Customers can keep their flight, or rebook or fly standby within 14 days of the original travel date between the same cities without paying a change in airfare.
Will I get a refund or a credit if my Hawaii flight is canceled because of the storm?
If the airline cancels your flight and you do not accept the rebooking, you are entitled to a refund to your original form of payment under U.S. Department of Transportation rules. If you cancel on your own before the airline cancels, you will usually get a credit instead of cash.
Can I use the waiver for a points booking?
Yes, in most cases. The Alaska and Hawaiian Nolo waiver specifically includes award tickets, so Atmos Rewards bookings to or from Hilo that match the dates qualify. For points bookings on other airlines, the airline's waiver rules apply to award tickets that meet the airport and date conditions.
Should I fly out early to beat Tropical Storm Nolo?
Only if your airline's waiver allows earlier travel and seats are open. American Airlines allows new travel starting September 24, and the Alaska and Hawaiian Nolo waiver lists new travel dates starting September 23. Never drive through flooded roads to reach the airport. Your safety matters more than any flight.
Stay in the loop this weekend.
I will keep this page updated as waivers expand and airports report status. Join the HRT newsletter for storm travel updates, and if you have a tricky rebooking with points, send us a message. We are happy to help our fellow kamaʻāina figure it out.
Scottie's Take
Honestly, if you do not need to fly this weekend, I would not. Move the trip, take the waiver, and stay home with your family. Points and flights can always be rebooked. Your home and your people come first.
If you do have to travel, like getting home to Hilo or making it to a mainland commitment, change early, use the app, and keep your receipts. Do not wait in a two-hour phone line on Saturday morning when you could lock in a new flight today.
To our Big Island and Maui ʻohana, we are thinking of you and praying for you. Please stay safe, check on your kupuna and neighbors, and listen to your county officials. If you have questions about your flight or a points booking, drop a comment or send me a message. I will do my best to help. Mālama pono.
Sources, all checked September 24, 2026: Central Pacific Hurricane Center Intermediate Advisory 17A (2 p.m. HST); Hawaii Emergency Management Agency Nolo updates; Honolulu Star-Advertiser; KHON2; CBS News; Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines Travel Advisories; Southwest Airlines Travel Advisory; American Airlines Travel Alerts; Delta Tropical Storm Nolo advisory; United Airlines Travel Alerts; Hawaii News Now on Lala flight impacts.
