Flight delays and cancellations are inevitable, especially in summer, when more people fly and bad weather occurs more often.
How do you get your journey back on track when things get frustrating? Start by reading the fine print before booking, understanding what you owe and being proactive at the airport in asking what you want. Here’s how to do it.
Prepare before you leave
Download your airline’s app, which often shows an aircraft’s location and also posts timely updates on a flight’s status or gate changes. Updates may appear here before anywhere else.
The day of your flight, you can also scan FlightAwarea flight tracking service accessible by the app and website, to get a feel for delays and cancellations at major airports. Also keep an eye on the weather.
It’s helpful to know what airlines your carrier partners with, in case you need to be rebooked on another airline. In addition to partnerships such as code shares, when one airline operates a flight on behalf of another, or alliances, most airlines also have relationships known as interline agreements that allow them to transfer passengers to flights on other carriers.
This information is not always readily available online; Experts suggest calling an airline’s customer service for more guidance.
Be aware that if you have a ticket with a low-cost airline, like Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines or Spirit Airlines, you’re probably out of luck: They usually don’t rebook on any other carrier.
Deeper than the dashboard
The Department of Transportation airline cancellation and delay dashboard is a useful resource that outlines what 10 of the larger domestic airlines have to offer passengers. But this dashboard is not your only tool. Customer-service plans for specific airlines (found on their websites, and with links from the DOT dashboard) have additional details about passenger rights.
For example, if your United Airlines flight is canceled for reasons within the carrier’s control, such as a staff shortage, and you are transferred to a flight departing the next day, you are entitled to a voucher for food, a nearby partner hotel and transport. If a room is not available at the airline’s hotel, and you must find other accommodations, United will reimburse you for “reasonable hotel expenses.” There is nothing on the United customer-service site that states that meal receipts or taxi receipts will be returned.
If the delay or cancellation is the airline’s fault, most major carriers will also allow you to rebook on another airline. Some have this ability regardless of what leads to the distraction.
In most instances, American Airlines rebook on another airline if there are no American flights until the next day. Delta Air Lines also promises to organize flights with alternative airlines if necessary, although it is not clear under what circumstances it will do so.
Strategize your question
In the United States, if your flight is canceled, for any reason, all airlines must rebook you on another flight or give you an immediate refund, even if you have a nonrefundable ticket, according to the Transportation Department.
When a delay or cancellation is caused by the airline, passengers — in most cases — are entitled to certain services after waiting times exceed three hours. Major carriers will provide meals or meal vouchers. And if travelers are forced to stay overnight, most airlines will cover the costs of hotel stays and associated transportation.
But getting what you deserve can be a challenge when hundreds of passengers are lined up and waiting for a customer service rep on the phone can take hours. That’s where being strategic can make a difference.
Mary Cropper, a travel specialist at Audley’s journey, advised not to ask for help at the gate, where many other passengers will also be arriving. Instead, find the airline’s service desk. Airport lounges, some of which are accessible by day pass, can also be a quicker way to get help, he said.
When you reach the customer service rep, be prepared with a specific request for the outcome you want, whether it’s being booked on a specific flight or a flight on a partner airline, or departure from a different airport from where you can be stranded. in. Don’t just ask what your options are.
“If an alternative flight arrangement doesn’t get you where you need to go or when you need to be there, ask for something better,” says James Ferrara, the founder of InteleTravel, a global travel advisor network. And mention if you’re a frequent flier or have an inflexible commitment like a wedding or a work conference, he adds.
Just do it
Experts say passengers can also take matters into their own hands, whether that’s booking a hotel or a new flight, and submit receipts later for reimbursement to a customer relations airline team. However, there is some risk that an airline will not pay the bill, it said Bobby Lauriea travel expert and former flight attendant.
“You also have to be 100 percent sure that you are on the right track and owe the payment,” he says. “With information, you are making the best advocate for yourself. But you really need to read the fine print.”
Understand that entitlements may differ on international flights
In the European Union, flight cancellations or long delays may entitle passengers to either a refund or a replacement flight. There may be too compensation of up to 600 euros, about $660, based on factors such as how long you waited, how much notice you were given about the schedule change, flight distance, and the reason for the delay or cancellation.
The rule covers all passengers, regardless of nationality, and outbound flights from and within the European Union, including US carriers. For flights to EU countries, this only applies to EU carriers.
AirHelp, a flight compensation company based in Berlin, has a comprehensive guide outlines passenger rights in many countries.
Be aware that you may be out of luck if the weather changes
Any compensation or assistance offered by airlines depends on whether the reason for the cancellation is within the carrier’s control, such as staffing or maintenance issues. Air traffic control woes and the weather is not. The weather is the leading cause of delays this year to date, and “creeping delays” are the bane of every air traveler.
It may feel unfair, but “if your flight is canceled because of a storm,” says Scott Keyes, the founder of Going.coma website that sends alerts for travel deals, “don’t expect the airline to cover your meals or lodging.”
