As Category 5 Hurricane Irma roars through the Caribbean towards Florida, Delta has upsized aircraft and added flights to airports in Punta Cana, Nassau, Freeport, Key West, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Sarasota, Orlando and more. More than 2,000 seats were added Thursday and 1,300 for Friday to airports along Irma’s path to help customers evacuate the area.

Delta’s Strategic Planning Team in the airline’s Operations and Customer Center, along with the airline’s meteorologists and other operational leaders are keeping a close eye on the storm’s forecasted path. 

Delta has capped one-way fares in all cabins at $399 for flights to and from southern Florida through Sept. 13. Delta has been examining and adjusting fares in Florida since early this week, when Irma's path became apparent and demand to fly out of the area surged. 

In addition, Delta is waiving all baggage and pet-in-cabin fees for customers traveling to or from the cities covered by a weather waiver issued for the region this week. Delta is also waiving fees associated with flying unaccompanied minors from airports affected by Hurricane Irma.

Airports in Irma’s wake, including St. Maarten’s Princess Juliana, Santiago, St. Thomas and San Juan international received damage from hurricane force winds and storm surge.

Delta’s operational plan is as follows:

St. Thomas and St. Maarten remain closed due to infrastructure damage. Delta has canceled flights Thursday and Friday. Additional schedule changes may be required pending facility evaluation.

Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach are expected to close Friday night. Delta will cancel its operation Saturday and likely Sunday, pending updates from the airport authority.

Orlando may see winds as high as 50 knots on Sunday night which may prompt the closure of the passenger tram system.

Delta has expanded the Hurricane Irma weather waiver to include airports along the Georgia and South Carolina coast.