Planes , trains and automobiles -- all these modes of transportation were affected Saturday by Hurricane Sandy , even with the storm many hours away from making landfall . The storm is expected to cause massive flooding and widespread power outages when it hits the East Coast , in full , late Sunday and into next week . But before that happens , transportation companies and government officials are allowing -- and , in some cases , urging -- people to plan for the worst . A number of airlines , for example , are allowing customers to change their flight plans without paying any fees due to Sandy . Delta will let those ticketed to fly between Sunday and Wednesday , in and out of airports in 15 states and the District of Columbia , to reschedule by November 4 . United 's offer applies to travel to-and-from 29 airports , for the same dates . East Coast braces for 'superstorm ' Other airlines , such as American , are offering a similar process , with slight variations . And at least in U.S. Airways ' case , the weather is already keeping airlines busy : The airline apologized to customers on its Twitter feed for long waits to get through to agents due to a high call volume tied to Sandy . Amtrak announced Saturday that it will cancel some of its train runs on Sunday to and from Richmond and Newport News , Virginia ; Chicago and Washington ; Miami and New York ; and Washington and New York . In addition , a train scheduled to run Monday between Washington and Chicago will also remain in the station . `` Passengers are encouraged to travel on earlier available trains on Sunday , '' Amtrak said in a news release . `` Additional cancellations might be necessary in the coming days as this major storm moves north . '' Even New York 's vaunted , round-the-clock subway system could shut down due to flooding and other issues tied to the storm . Officials say they 'll decide Sunday whether to suspend service on the subway , as well as on buses and commuter rail , depending on Sandy proceeds . For now , New Yorkers should plan their lives as if such a suspension will happen , Gov . Andrew Cuomo said . `` New Yorkers need to take action now to protect themselves , and as the transportation system prepares to possibly suspend service , no one should wait until the last minute to prepare , '' said Cuomo , who has declared a state of emergency in the state . Meanwhile , New Jersey is taking steps to shut down NJ Transit bus , rail and Access Link service on Monday -- much as it did last year for 36 hours due to Hurricane Irene . `` By beginning this important process , NJ Transit will be better able to support the state 's response to Hurricane Sandy by freeing up buses or other resources that may be needed for hurricane relief , '' Department of Transportation Commissioner James Simpson said in a press release . For all the potential headaches at airports , train stations and bus terminals , the type of transportation affected first and most directly by Sandy may be boating . All along the East Coast , meteorologists and officials have warned people to steer clear of the seas because of potentially perilous high winds and large waves tied to the storm . Pam and Bob Haigh , a Rhode Island couple , were surprised -- given how late it is in the hurricane season -- that Sandy has delayed their plans to sail from Maryland to the Florida Keys . But they know that this is n't the first time that Mother Nature has affected travel plans -- nor will it be the last . `` We 've got a surprise , so we 'll just ride it out , '' Pam Haigh said . `` There 's not much else we can do . ''
Airlines are letting ticketed travelers change their plans at no fee . Comment: Amtrak cancels several trains that originate or end in East Coast stations .