What to do if your flights are affected by Cyclone Alfred
Australians across Queensland and northern New South Wales are bracing for tropical Cyclone Alfred to make landfall in the next 24 hours.
Damaging winds and heavy rainfall will impact the region and airlines have offered customers a chance to change flights if they planned on travelling over the coming days.
With travel disruptions and flight cancellations, we've rounded up everything you need to know.
READ MORE: Cruises and cyclones: What to do if your itinerary is affected
It is expected there will be some flight disruptions during Cyclone Alfred. Getty
Is it safe to fly during a cyclone?
Modern aircraft have been designed to withstand much of the challenges brought by strong storms, including cyclones.
But most commercial carriers would rather not put themselves, and their passengers, at risk, so they generally will try to avoid flying through them.
READ MORE: Cyclone Alfred live updates
Pilots may decide to fly above them if the storm cells are deemed 'low' enough. Flying through, or near a tropical storm in some cases will mean turbulence, discomfort, and possible damage to the plane.
Do flights get cancelled in cyclone?
Yes. Severe storms will see airlines delay or cancel flights if the risk is deemed too high.
According to the BOM "after landfall, the cyclone will quite often form an extensive rain depression which presents very hazardous conditions for aviation."
Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia have cancelled flights in and out of the affected region.
A map showing Cyclone Alfred's predicted landfall in Queensland. Bureau of Meteorology
"The situation remains fluid and flight cancellations and delays will evolve over the coming days," a Qantas spokesperson said
"Our teams continue to closely monitor the cyclone and we are contacting customers directly with any changes to their flights. The safety of our customers and people is our main priority."
What flights are cancelled
Virgin Australia was operating a limited schedule to and from Brisbane Airport until 4pm on Thursday (March 6), before pausing operations until Sunday (9 March).
Gold Coast, QLD (OOL) flights have been suspended through to Sunday (9 March) Flights to and from Ballina (BNK) are also suspended until Sunday (9 March).
Virgin expects Brisbane, Gold Coast and Ballina operations to resume on Sunday, following consultation with airports, our meteorologists, and authorities.
"Safety is always our top priority, and our meteorologists continue to closely monitor the weather system," a Virgin Australia spokesperson said. "We are working with all stakeholders including airports, local councils, and authorities as the situation evolves."
Qantas and Jetstar flights in and out of Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ballina and Coffs Harbour are currently suspended. International operations at Brisbane Airport are suspended until at least midday Saturday local time. Domestic operations in Brisbane and the Gold Coast are suspended until at least Sunday morning local time.
Jetstar international operations on the Gold Coast are suspended until at least midday Saturday local time.
Qantas has also suspended flights to and from Lord Howe Island.
What to do if your flight has been cancelled
As a general rule, passengers are entitled to either a refund or a travel credit if the airline cancels the flight and a suitable alternative has not been found.
Some airlines, such as Jetstar, will automatically rebook you onto the next available flight and send you a text and/or email alerting you of the change. Other airlines (Virgin Australia, for example), will even look to move you onto another airline to the same destination if another VA flight is not available).
Jetstar and Virgin Australia jets on the tarmac at Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar, Bali. Paul Rovere/The Age
Regardless of the airline you've booked with, if you find you are bumped into a flight that doesn't work, it's best to contact the airline immediately to see if they can offer you either another option, whether that be a different time or another mode of transport.
Do you get compensation if your flight is delayed or cancelled due to weather?
It's always a good idea to read through your airline's Compensations and Refunds Policy page to understand what you're entitled to, even before you book your flight.
If Virgin Australia, for example, changes or cancels a flight, the airline will try to move guests onto another suitable service without charge. Where suitable alternative arrangements can't be made, customers "may request a travel credit or a refund of the price you paid for your impacted flight by contacting our Guest Contact Centre or your travel agent." Travel credits will be valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
Qantas has a similar policy if a flight is cancelled.
Jestar confirmed that if customers flights are cancelled due to Cyclone Alfred, they'll get a free move or travel credit. Where possible, the airline encourage customers to bring forward their flight.
Cyclone Alfred flights changes
Virgin Australia is allowing travellers to cancel or move some domestic flights between today and Saturday March 8 free of charge.
Passengers flying in and out of south-east Queensland and northern NSW have been urged to look out for flight updates over the next few days.
Travellers can choose to move their flight to a new date within 14 days free of charge, or, cancel and request a refund. This only applies to tickets bought before or on March 3.
Qantas said it is also offering the same flexibility for passengers on flights booked to and from Ballina, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Gold Coast or Maroochydore on or prior to yesterday for dates between now and March 9.
Jetstar customers booked to travel in/out of impacted destinations between today and Sunday, 9 March 2025 can visit Manage Booking to review their options.
"We're offering customers a free date change up to 7 days before and up to 14 days after their original travel date or a voucher to the value of their untravelled flights," the travel alert reads.
What about travel insurance?
Natalie Ball, Managing Director for Comparetravelinsurance.com.au, said travel insurance can help cover unrecoverable out-of-pocket costs.
A comprehensive policy would cover you for any additional expenses, such as meals and accommodation, if you are delayed for at least six hours.
"Domestic cover isn't always prioritised, however under these circumstances, travellers would be entitled to claim for any out-of-pocket costs, provided they purchased a policy prior to this event being widely known in the media," she said.
When it comes to making a claim, some insurers rely on specific media publication dates, whereas others publish purchase cut-off dates on their website.
"It's not uncommon to see a spike in policy sales once an event like this hits the media. In essence, if you're buying a policy because you expect you will be affected by a major weather event, you would likely not be covered," Natalie warned.
Cover-more published a cut-off date of 4 March for policy purchases while 1Cover, Fastcover, InsureandGo and Zoom Travel Insurance all set travel alerts for the cyclone on March 3.
