The First Four Steps to Take When a Flight Is Cancelled
Flight cancellations have begun in accordance with the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) airport suspension order, affecting hundreds of flights and thousands of passengers at 40 US airports. These cancellations are likely to continue for as long as the suspension lasts (and potentially affect even more travelers as the holiday season approaches).
Flight cancellations are always frustrating, but the cascading effect of flight cancellations due to government shutdowns can make it even more so. Here are four steps to take immediately if your itinerary is curtailed.
Turn on alerts from your airline
Flight cancellations often occur with little or no warning, sometimes while you’re already en route to your destination, and airlines are undoubtedly scrambling to comply with the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) suspension order. As they continue to scale back their schedules, there’s a chance your flight could be canceled long before you reach the airport.
To stay up to date, download your airline’s app and turn on push notifications to receive status updates as soon as they become available, and monitor your email and text messages for additional alerts.
Check your rebooking options as soon as possible.
Airlines often automatically rebook passengers whose flights are canceled onto the next available alternative flight. So, again, make sure you have your airline’s app installed on your phone to quickly view available options. If the airline offers this option, you can accept the rebooked itinerary, choose a different one, or decline it and receive a refund. Using a mobile app is likely much faster than standing in line at a customer service desk or trying to get through on the phone. (Although, if you do need to speak to an airline representative, we have a guide on that .)
Of course, you should check your airline’s flight cancellation guidelines due to service interruptions. For example, Frontier is waiving change and cancellation fees and allowing passengers to request rebooking or refunds, but you won’t be automatically reassigned to a subsequent flight. United offers rebooking and refund options to anyone who decides to cancel their trip, even if the flight isn’t affected. You can find relevant guidelines on your airline’s website (for example, Delta , American , JetBlue , and Southwest ).
Know what you are entitled to
If your flight is canceled less than 14 days before departure and you decide to cancel your trip, you’re entitled to a refund , even if you booked a non-refundable ticket or an economy class ticket. Airlines may initially offer travel credits or vouchers, but you can try requesting a cash refund if you prefer.
You can review your airline’s standard obligations for “controlled” flight cancellations on the Department of Transportation ‘s Airline Cancellations and Delays Dashboard , but you should also review the FAA’s flight curtailment policy, as described above.
Consider booking a backup option
If your trip is absolutely essential, you can book a backup flight for a different time, on a different airline, or through a different airport. While there’s no guarantee that this flight won’t be canceled, this at least increases your chances of reaching your destination with a confirmed seat while other eligible passengers rebook on flights hours or days later.
You can purchase a refundable ticket, knowing you’ll either reach your destination or get a refund if your original itinerary works out, or you can use points and miles, which are often easily refunded to your account if you cancel your ticket. Be sure to check the terms and conditions of your loyalty program. You can also consider travel insurance , which typically fully reimburses the purchase price, albeit for a fee.