A winter storm made its way across the eastern half of the United States on Wednesday, snarling traffic in the air and on the highways.
By early afternoon in the East, more than 1,000 U.S. flights had been canceled and 4,000 others were delayed, according to FlightAware. The brunt of cancellations stretched from Denver to Chicago, down to Nashville and east to Buffalo, New York.
Airlines can’t control the weather, but they are still required to provide refunds for customers whose flights are canceled. Here’s what to know about your rights, and what to know when cancellations start piling up:
WATCH THE WEATHER FORECAST
When airlines expect bad weather to create problems for flights, they often give travelers a chance to reschedule their trip by a few days at no extra fee. Google your airline and “travel alerts” or similar phrases to see the offers.
CHECK BEFORE GOING TO THE AIRPORT
It’s better to be stuck at home or in a hotel than to be stranded in an airport terminal, so use the airline’s app or flight websites to make sure that your flight is still on before heading out to the airport. Airlines usually cancel flights hours or even days before departure time.
MY FLIGHT WAS CANCELED. NOW WHAT?
If you’re already at the airport, it’s time to multi-task to find another flight. Get in line to speak to an airline representative, and call or go online to connect to the airline’s reservations staff. It also helps to reach out on X, the site formerly known as Twitter.
Most airlines will rebook you on a later flight for no additional charge. That depends, however, on the airline having empty seats. The good news for travelers this week is that they stand a better chance of finding space in January than during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday periods, when passengers can wait days for an open seat.
CAN I ASK TO BE BOOKED ON ANOTHER AIRLINE?
You can, but airlines aren’t required to put you on another carrier’s flight. Some airlines, including the biggest ones except Southwest, say they can put you on a partner airline, but even then it’s often hit or miss. Jeff Klee, CEO of CheapAir.com, recommends researching alternate flights while you wait to talk to an agent.
AM I OWED A REFUND?
If you no longer want to take the trip, or found alternative means of getting where you’re going, the airline is legally required to pay a refund, even if you bought a non-refundable ticket. It doesn’t matter why the flight was canceled.
You are also entitled to a refund of any bag fees, seat upgrades or other extras that you didn’t get to use.
CAN I GET COMPENSATION?
U.S. airlines are not required to pay compensation, even if the cancellation is their fault — such as the lack of a crew, a mechanical problem that grounds the plane, or a computer outage that brings the airline to a halt. However, the Transportation Department is working ona proposal to change thatwhen the airline is at fault.
“I know how frustrated many of you are with the service you get from your U.S. airlines,” President Joe Biden said. “That’s why our top priority has been to get American air travelers a better deal.”
WHAT ELSE WILL AIRLINES COVER?
There is no federal requirement that airlines pick up the costs of hotel rooms or meals for stranded passengers. Each airline has its own policy.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has a site that lets consumers see thecommitments that each airline makesfor refunds and covering other expenses when flights are canceled or significantly delayed.
If you are in a group and one person belongs to a higher level of the airline’s frequent-flyer program, use the number associated with that person to call the airline, says Kurt Ebenhoch, a travel consumer advocate and former airline spokesman.
If lots of flights are canceled, airline agents will soon be swamped. Try calling your airline’s international help number — usually available online — those agents can make changes in your itinerary too.
Be nice. The agent you’re talking to is probably dealing with lots of other frustrated travelers too, and screaming at the agent won’t make them want to help you. The cancellation isn’t their fault.
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FAQs
Canceled flights often qualify for compensation under EC 261 in Europe and ANAC 400 in Brazil. For flights within the US, however, there is no law that requires airlines to pay their passengers compensation for canceled flights, which means it is entirely up to the airlines to compensate you how they see fit.
Are you entitled to compensation if your flight is Cancelled? ›
Delays or Cancellations That Don't Require Compensation
Rather, compensation is at the discretion of the airline. That said, airlines will often work with you to get you where you need to go. Some airlines may also offer you some form of a meal voucher so you don't find yourself stranded in the airport without food.
What are the new rules for cancelled flights? ›
Canceled or significantly changed flights: Passengers will be entitled to a refund if their flight is canceled or significantly changed, and they do not accept alternative transportation or travel credits offered. For the first time, the rule defines “significant change.”
What are the new rules to compensate airline passengers? ›
The first rule requires airlines to promptly provide passengers with automatic cash refunds when owed because their flights are cancelled or significantly changed, their checked bags are significantly delayed, or the ancillary services, like Wi-Fi, they purchased are not provided.
What is the passenger bill of rights compensation? ›
The bill establishes that $1,350 is the minimum level of compensation an air carrier or foreign carrier must pay to a passenger denied boarding against their wish because of an oversold flight.
Can you sue airline for cancellation? ›
Unfortunately, airlines don't guarantee their schedules and the fine print on your ticket (or email confirmation) usually means you can't sue for a canceled flight. But that doesn't mean you can't or won't be compensated, and you may have some legal rights if your flight was canceled.
Can I get refund and compensation for Cancelled flight? ›
Passengers can receive both a refund of an airline ticket and compensation for the cancellation, provided that their flight qualifies for compensation.
What is the new law for airlines in 2024? ›
Posted April 24, 2024
Under the final rule, U.S. and foreign air carriers must provide prompt automatic refunds and and ticket agents must provide prompt refunds upon request when airlines cancel or significantly change their flights and consumers do not accept the alternatives offered.
What is the airline fee disclosure law? ›
Under the final rule, U.S. air carriers, foreign air carriers, and ticket agents must clearly disclose passenger-specific or itinerary-specific fees for these services to consumers whenever fare and schedule information is provided for flights to, within, and from the United States.
How to fight airline cancellation fees? ›
Quick tips to avoid cancellation or change fees
- Change or cancel your ticket within 24 hours of booking. ...
- Wait to see if the airline changes or cancels your flight. ...
- 3. Make smaller changes. ...
- Consider standby.
The DOT rules lay out that passengers will be "entitled to a refund if their flight is canceled or significantly changed, and they do not accept alternative transportation or travel credits offered."
What is airline Rule 261? ›
EU 261 provides minimum rights for passengers when their flight is delayed or canceled or they're denied boarding against their will. The regulation establishes specific conditions under which the law applies and sets the assistance and compensation amounts for each situation.
What are flight compensation rules? ›
Claim compensation for a cancelled flight
You're legally entitled to get compensation if the cancellation is the airline's responsibility and both the following apply: the replacement flight delays your arrival by 2 or more hours. your flight was cancelled less than 14 days before departure.
How do I argue with an airline for compensation? ›
When you first contact your airline, aim to set out your case clearly and concisely. Explain what happened and when, and why you feel you are entitled to receive a payment. Send your claim to the airline's customer relations department. You can escalate your complaint if you don't get the result you hoped for.
What is the airline customer bill of rights? ›
Known as the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights (S. 3222), this Bill could: Remove limits on the compensation passengers are entitled to when overbooking keeps them off a flight. Address compensation for flight delays and cancellation.
What is the new passengers Bill of Rights? ›
The law says: Travelers are entitled to a full refund including taxes and fees, even on a nonrefundable ticket, on any flight to, from or within the United States that is canceled or significantly delayed. This applies to U.S. and foreign airlines.
What if a flight is cancelled by an airline? ›
Flight Cancellations and Compensation:
If a flight is cancelled within a fortnight and up to 24 hours before departure, passengers should receive a refund and compensation ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000, depending on the flight time.
How to get full refund on flight cancellation? ›
If the booking was made between 10 and 26 hours, it should be cancelled 8 hours prior to the flight departure time to avail your flight ticket cancellation refund. If the booking was made between 26 hours and 91 days, it should be cancelled 24 hours prior to the flight departure time.
What is the 2 hour rule for flight delay compensation? ›
Two hours' delay and compensation
Your replacement flight must get you to your end destination within two hours of the original arrival time, or the airline has to compensate you for loss of time.
Can you get reimbursed for cancelling a flight? ›
Cancel the flight in writing, either by mailing a letter or via email, as soon as you know you will not fly. The sooner you cancel, the higher the chance the airline is able resell your ticket and a refund of up to 95% of the ticket price will be provided to you.
