Britons stranded in New York

The first two Virgin Atlantic flights from London to New York since Superstorm Sandy have taken off successfully and are now en route, according to the airline's flight tracker.

Virgin's 9.20am and 1.50pm services to New York's JFK Airport departed from London Heathrow, both were running late.

The 9.20am flight departed over two hours and 10 minutes late, though the 1.50pm service left just over 10 minutes after its scheduled departure time.

The first flight is due to arrive in New York at 3.28pm local time (7.28pm GMT).

Virgin Atlantic's first flight to New York since Superstorm Sandy struck is due to leave Heathrow Airport around noon today, the airline has announced.

However, the airline's VS18 service from Newark and its VS26 flight from New York remain cancelled. The flights were due to landed at Heathrow Airport this evening.

Virgin has also scheduled an extra flight that will fly from Heathrow to New York at around1.50pm today and return later.

A Virgin spokeswoman said, "We continue to thank our passengers for their patience and apologise for the inconvenience caused to their journey".

She also advised customers to check the Virgin Atlantic website for the latest updates and advice on rebooking their flights.

British Airways said it hopes to resume flights to and from New York later today after Superstorm Sandy forced the airline to cancel its services.

A spokesperson for BA said, "Customer safety with regards to Hurricane Sandy remains our highest priority and following advice from the US authorities we are cancelling the majority of flights to and from New York and Newark [New Jersey] on Wednesday".

BA advised that only customers with confirmed flights come to the airport, saying people should check with their airport.

"We are doing all we can to help customers whose flights have been cancelled, and will look to use larger aircraft on some routes when the full flying schedule resumes to help get customers to their correct destination as quickly as we can", the spokesperson added.

Manchester

There are 15 flights to or from the USA in the schedule from Manchester today. Four of the inbound and four of the outbound flights have been cancelled.

Heathrow

Many flights to New York have been cancelled or delayed, and the airport is advising those planning to travel to check with their airline.

British Airways say that they have cancelled some of their flights to and from New York, JFK and Newark. Flights to other East Coast US airports should be operating normally.

But they advise checking with your airport.

Virgin Atlantic have said that as JFK and Newark airport will reopen today they flights will resume. However some flights have been cancelled this morning.

Passengers are advised to only go to the airport if they are confirmed on a flight and not to try and get standby places.

British student Ophelia Conheady - who is stranded in New York - has told Daybreak that the lights going out in Manhattan was a "terrifying experience."

Danny Lopez, British Consul-General in New York has told Daybreak that the Consul has no idea how many Brits are stranded in the States.

Mr Lopez said: "We don't have any numbers or figures right now. Over the past 48 hours we've only had 14 calls from Brits wanting more information."

After more than 80 pupils from local schools on trips to New York are reported to be safe.

Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council cabinet member for education and skills, said:

Parties of children from three Shropshire schools on trips to New York are reported to be safe, well and in good spirits.

More than 80 pupils from Idsall School in Shifnal, Shrewsbury's Priory School, and Lakelands School in Ellesmere, now face a wait to learn when they can return to the UK.

Idsall School's chair of governors, Mark Blackstock, said: