When a typhoon is approaching, one of the most difficult situations for air travellers is not only when a flight has already been cancelled, but when it is still unclear whether the flight will operate or be cancelled. ✈️

Even if your flight is still scheduled to operate the day before departure, conditions can change on the day depending on the typhoon’s path and wind strength.

In some cases, even before a cancellation is officially announced, an airline may designate a flight as likely to be affected by severe weather, making it eligible for changes or refunds.

This guide explains what travellers should do both when a flight has been cancelled and when it is still unclear whether it will operate during a typhoon.

---

1. Check the Airline’s Official Website or App First 📱

When a typhoon is approaching, the first thing to check is official information from your airline.

Rather than relying only on a Google search for your flight number, check the airline’s official website or app for information such as:

• Scheduled operation
• Delays
• Cancellations
• Conditional operations
• Flights expected to be affected by severe weather

It is particularly important to pay attention when your flight is not yet shown as “cancelled.”

There is no fixed time when an airline must decide whether a flight will be cancelled. Depending on changing weather conditions, a cancellation may be announced shortly before departure.

Therefore, do not assume that your flight will definitely operate simply because it is currently shown as scheduled. Continue checking the latest information regularly as departure approaches.

---

2. Check Whether Your Flight Is Eligible for Changes Even Before It Is Cancelled ⚠️

This is a particularly important point to know when travelling during a typhoon.

Depending on the airline, even if your flight has not actually been cancelled yet, flights expected to be affected by a typhoon or other severe weather may become eligible for changes or refunds without the usual fees.

In other words:

You may not have to wait until your flight is officially cancelled before taking action.

Check the airline’s official website to see whether your scheduled flight or departure airport is covered by special arrangements for severe weather.

If your flight is eligible and your plans are flexible, changing to an earlier flight before the typhoon approaches or travelling on another day may be an option.

However, eligibility requirements and permitted change periods vary depending on the airline and ticket.

---

3. If Your Flight Is Officially Cancelled, Check Your Rebooking or Refund Options 🔄

If your scheduled flight is officially cancelled, check the options provided by the airline before rushing to purchase a new ticket.

In general, you may be offered options such as:

• Rebooking onto another flight
• Changing your travel date
• Receiving a ticket refund

Cancellations caused by typhoons or other severe weather may be handled differently from cancellations made for personal reasons.

For eligible flights affected by typhoons, airlines may offer rebooking or refunds under their severe-weather policies.

If you purchased your ticket through a travel agency or another airline, you may need to complete the procedure through the company that issued or sold your ticket.

---

4. Check Before Travelling to the Airport 🚆

On a typhoon day, it is safer not to assume that “going to the airport first” will solve the problem.

The typhoon may affect not only flights but also:

• Airport rail services
• Buses
• Taxis
• Expressways

Even if your flight is still scheduled to operate, transport to the airport may be suspended.

On the other hand, if your flight has already been cancelled well in advance, there may be no need to travel to the airport simply to complete a procedure.

First, check the airline’s official website or app to see whether rebooking or refunds can be handled online.

---

5. Be Particularly Careful If You Have a Connecting International Flight 🌏

If the first domestic flight in your itinerary is cancelled because of a typhoon, this may also affect your subsequent international or connecting flights.

For example:

Domestic flight → International flight → Final destination

If you cancel only the first domestic flight on your own, it may affect the rest of your reservation.

If your ticket includes connecting flights, it is safer to check with the airline before purchasing a separate replacement ticket.

If your flights were purchased separately, they may not be protected as part of the same booking.

Check your booking reference and e-ticket so that you understand which flight sectors are included in the same reservation.

---

6. Contact Your Hotel as Early as Possible 🏨

If a flight cancellation means you will not arrive at your destination on the planned date, contact your hotel as well.

Even if you have booked a luxury hotel or ryokan, your accommodation reservation will not automatically be cancelled simply because your flight has been cancelled.

Check details such as:

• Same-day cancellation charges
• Changing your arrival date
• Changing the dates of a multi-night stay
• Changing to a late-night arrival
• Cancelling or changing the time of an airport transfer

If you booked a plan with a flexible cancellation policy, you may be able to change your reservation.

If your departure flight is cancelled and you need to stay for an additional night, check availability at hotels near the airport or close to your current location as early as possible.

When a typhoon causes widespread flight cancellations, nearby hotels may fill up quickly.

---

7. Check Before Booking Another Flight or Hotel Yourself 💳

When a cancellation is announced, it can be tempting to think, “I need to secure another flight immediately.”

However, the airline may be able to rebook you, so check the airline’s arrangements before purchasing an expensive replacement ticket yourself.

In addition, when a flight is cancelled because of severe weather such as a typhoon, additional hotel or transportation costs are not necessarily covered by the airline.

Along with checking what the airline will cover, it is also worth reviewing your travel insurance and any travel insurance benefits included with your credit card.

You may need receipts or proof of the cancellation when making a claim, so keep records such as:

• Airline tickets
• Booking confirmation emails
• Flight cancellation notifications
• Hotel receipts
• Transportation receipts

---

8. If Your Flight Is Included in a Tour, Check With the Travel Company 🧳

If you have booked a tour that includes your flight and hotel or other travel arrangements, it is important to check the information provided by the travel company through which you booked the tour, rather than relying only on the airline.

A flight included as part of a tour may have different procedures from a ticket purchased directly from an airline.

If your scheduled flight is cancelled or may be cancelled because of a typhoon, check with the travel company about:

• Whether the entire tour will be cancelled
• Whether only the flight can be changed
• Whether you can be rebooked onto another flight
• Whether the travel dates can be changed
• Whether cancellation or a refund is available
• What will happen to hotel and transfer reservations

You can still check the airline’s official website for the operational status of your flight. However, changes or refunds involving the entire tour may need to be handled by the travel company.

Therefore, rather than changing or cancelling your flight yourself based only on information from the airline, check the emergency contact details and enquiry information shown on your tour confirmation or itinerary as well.

---

How Should You Contact the Airline? 📞

When a typhoon or widespread flight cancellations occur, airline customer service centres may receive a very large number of enquiries, making it extremely difficult to reach someone by phone.

Instead of repeatedly calling, it is smoother to check in the following order:

1. Check the flight status on the airline’s official website or app
2. Check whether rebooking, changes, or refunds can be completed online
3. If you booked a tour, contact the travel company through which you made the booking

If the issue cannot be resolved online and you need to speak directly with airline staff on the day, you may also be able to ask at the airline counter at the airport, provided you can travel to the airport safely.

However, railways, buses, and other airport transport may also be suspended during a typhoon.

Do not travel to the airport in dangerous conditions solely to make an enquiry.

If your flight has already been cancelled, first check whether you can change your booking or request a refund online.

---

What to Do When You Do Not Know Whether Your Flight Will Be Cancelled

Situation	What to Do First
Typhoon approaching, flight still scheduled	Regularly check official airline information
Flight designated as affected by severe weather	Check rebooking and refund conditions
Flight officially cancelled	Check rebooking or refund options
Before travelling to the airport	Check airport transport services
You have connecting flights	Check with the airline before making changes yourself
You cannot reach your hotel	Contact the hotel or transfer provider
You have additional expenses	Keep receipts and cancellation notifications
Flight is included in a tour	Contact the travel company that arranged the tour

---

Frequently Asked Questions

When Will I Know If My Flight Is Cancelled?

There is no fixed time.

The decision depends on factors such as the typhoon’s path, wind conditions, and the situation around the airport, so a flight may be cancelled shortly before departure.

Do not rely only on information from the previous day. Check the airline’s official information again on the day of departure.

Do I Need to Buy a New Ticket If My Flight Is Cancelled?

Not necessarily.

The airline may offer rebooking onto another flight. Check your booking page and the airline’s guidance before deciding to purchase another ticket.

Will the Airline Pay for My Hotel If My Flight Is Cancelled Due to a Typhoon?

Not necessarily.

Severe weather may be treated as a circumstance outside the airline’s control, and the response will vary depending on the airline and ticket.

Your travel insurance may cover some expenses, so check the terms of your policy as well.

---

Conclusion ❤️

When a typhoon is approaching, the most difficult period may not be after your flight has been cancelled, but while you are waiting to find out whether it will be cancelled at all.

The important point is not simply to wait for a cancellation announcement. Check the airline’s official website to see whether your flight has already become eligible for severe-weather changes or refunds.

The basic process is:

1. Check official airline information → 2. Check whether your flight is eligible for changes → 3. If cancelled, check rebooking or refund options → 4. Check transport to the airport → 5. Adjust your hotel and connecting flights

If your flight is included in a tour, also contact the travel company through which you made the booking.

Conditions can change within just a few hours during a typhoon.

Before rushing to purchase another flight, check the airline’s guidance and keep your booking information, cancellation notices, and receipts while dealing with each step calmly.