Flight Cancellations: What You Need to Know
Stuck at the airport after your flight was rudely canceled? Many travelers find themselves in this predicament as Delta and other U.S. airlines canceled thousands of flights due to a serious computer failure caused by software update errors, subsequently throwing airlines into chaos and leaving passengers scrambling to reach their destinations during the busiest travel weekend of the year. Airlines try to compensate by offering vouchers and additional points or “miles” that can be redeemed for travel.
While this may appease some weary passengers, it pays for travelers to know their rights and have a plan in place if a trip falls through. Here’s what you need to know and what to do if your flight is canceled.
Understanding Refunds for Canceled Flights
Federal regulations give airline passengers the right to a prompt refund when an airline cancels a flight. Generally speaking, whenever American Airlines cancels a flight, passengers are entitled to a refund. Consumers are entitled to a refund if an airline cancels a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel.
This rule applies to all fare types, including non-refundable tickets, and covers extras like checked baggage fees and paid seat upgrades. Airlines must also offer refunds to customers in the event of “significant” flight delays or schedule changes. The Department of Transportation is the final arbiter of whether you are entitled to a refund and makes decisions on a case-by-case basis.
New federal regulations effective from October remove any ambiguity about what constitutes a “significant change” in a flight: delays of at least three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Refund?
According to the Department of Transportation, airlines must refund passengers “immediately” after a flight is canceled or severely delayed. The agency defines “timely” as within 7 business days if the ticket was purchased with a credit card, or within 20 days if the customer paid with cash or check.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of prompt refunds, stating that airlines must provide prompt refunds to consumers who choose not to rebook, offer free rebooking to those who choose to rebook, and promptly reimburse consumers affected by delays and cancellations for expenses like food and hotel accommodations.
Handling Incidentals and Baggage
Under federal rules, airlines are not obligated to reimburse passengers for incidental expenses incurred when a flight is canceled. However, airlines may cover such costs at their discretion. Delta Air Lines, for example, covers eligible expenses like meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and ground transportation due to flight disruptions.
If you check baggage and it is delayed, airlines must refund all checked baggage fees and reimburse reasonable costs incurred. Passengers can track their luggage by using devices like Apple AirTags and provide location information to airline agents for faster recovery.
