Between unusually high passenger demand, airline staff shortages and standard summer weather delays, flights have been delayed or canceled left and right. And while any unexpected schedule change makes flying a hassle, it shouldn’t completely discourage you from traveling.
From rebooking to getting a refund, travel expert Scott Keyes, founder of Scott’s Cheap Flights, shared his tips and insights with Travel + Leisure for navigating these hectic times in air travel.
How to Find Out If Your Flight Is Delayed or Canceled
Airlines should notify you of delays and cancellations via email, text, or app notification (if you’ve provided your contact information), but technology issues can cause communication hiccups. Always check your flight status on your airline’s website in the 24 hours before your flight. When you’re at the airport, check the departures board for the latest information.
You can also use third-party websites or apps to monitor your flight for cancellations or delays, such as Flighty or FlightAware. On the same subject : Amadeus partners with Aimendo to improve efficiency for travel advisors.
What to Do If Your Flight Has Been Canceled
If your flight is cancelled, don’t panic: your airline will likely automatically rebook you on the next available flight. However, there’s a chance it won’t happen, or if it does, the new flight might not work with your schedule.
If you are at home when you are notified that your flight has been canceled, visit the website to see if the airline has given you flight options to change your booking. See the article : As Travel Continues, Insurance Claims Follow. If not, you’ll need to call or text your airline; yes, wait times can be long, but speaking with a customer service agent gives you the most flexibility with your booking.
If you received news of your canceled flight at the airport, go to your airline’s help desk; unfortunately, there will probably be dozens, if not hundreds, of people in that queue. But that’s not the only way to find help.
“Get in line and get your phone out. Gate agents aren’t the only ones who can help you get re-seated; phone agents can, too,” Keyes said. “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket; you can contact an agent by phone before you get to the front of the line at the airport.”
And don’t forget your checked baggage: If you’ve checked your bag on a canceled flight, you’ll want to talk to an airline representative about how to collect your bag.
How to Rebook Your Flight
The three main options for changing your reservation are in person at the airport help desk or by phone or text. (Some airlines may also offer customer support via social media. This may interest you : 4 times more credit card travel insurance helps in case of summer travel and 7 times not.) Keep in mind that response times can be exceptionally long, so try to reach out via all possible means.
But here’s a good tip. “The easiest way to get in touch with an airline quickly is to call their international phone lines,” Keyes said. “Take American Airlines. Not only do they have their main US hotline; they have hotlines in Mexico and the UK and Australia and dozens more. While 99% of American passengers call the hotline main US and endure long waits, Usually it will go directly to an alien office and the agents there can handle your reservation as well.”
Although airlines always want to rebook you on one of their own flights, there is a chance they may rebook you on another airline. “In extenuating circumstances, airlines will rebook you on another carrier. It’s not common, but in some cases, like for example, it’s the last flight of the day and you’d otherwise have to spend the night in the connecting city, the airlines will do it. do it with a carrier that they have an interline agreement with,” he said. “Full-service airlines in the US have these interline agreements with each other, but low-cost airlines rarely do. The lack of interline agreements is the main reason I tend to avoid budget airlines whenever possible possible”.
How to Get a Refund, Travel Credit, or Other Compensation
“Under federal law, if an airline cancels or significantly changes your flight, you are entitled to a full cash refund. Period,” Keyes explained. “It doesn’t matter if it was a non-refundable ticket. It doesn’t matter if the cause was bad weather or a global pandemic. You’re entitled to a cash refund if you no longer want to travel; you don’t have to take a flight credit or a voucher travel”.
For what it’s worth, “significant schedule changes” means something different for each airline – read the fine print to find out what’s eligible for your airline. And this only covers pre-flight schedule changes, not standard delays such as weather or late flight. The US Department of Transportation, however, has proposed a new law that would require airlines to compensate passengers if their flight is delayed by a certain amount of time, but that has not yet come into force.
Now, if you fly to or from Europe, there is already a compensation law called EU261.
“If you’re traveling in Europe, many delays or cancellations entitle you to compensation of up to €600, in addition to keeping your flight,” Keyes noted.
How To Avoid Canceled Flights In The Future
There’s no surefire way to avoid flight cancellations or delays, but there is one way to increase the chances of your flight leaving on time.
“The earlier your flight, the better your odds,” Keyes said. “This is because the weather is generally better in the morning, and also because the plane is usually already at the airport, rather than arriving from somewhere else, and so is at risk if the inbound flight is canceled les”.
Additional Tips for Air Travel
If you decide to fly this summer and into the fall, opt for non-stop flights when possible.
“A delayed connecting flight risks missing your connection and having to wait, in some cases, until the next day for a flight to your final destination,” he warned.
And, perhaps most importantly, don’t check a bag.
“If your flight is canceled or you miss a connection, it’s easier to re-accommodate if the airline doesn’t have to track down and transport your checked bag to a new flight.”
Why are so many flights getting Cancelled?
Airlines have been grappling with flight cancellations and delays this summer as they grapple with staff shortages, bad weather and air traffic control delays.
Are many flights cancelled? US airlines have operated between 21,000 and 25,000 flights a day in recent months. Through 2022, an average of one in five flights per day was delayed, totaling more than 820,000 delayed flights according to FlightAware. More than 116,000 flights have been cancelled.
Why are the airlines Cancelling so many flights?
The rate of flight cancellations and delays is higher this year than before the pandemic thanks to bad weather and staff shortages. Some airlines have cut their schedules to give themselves more room to maneuver.
What airports are having the most cancellations?
Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport in China’s Guangdong province is No. 1 in the world for cancellations this summer, with nearly 8 percent of flights canceled, according to FlightAware data. China’s Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport are also in the top 10.
Who is Cancelling the most flights?
Flight cancellations in the United States are highest at airports in the New York area, while three Florida airports are in the top 10 with the most flight delays.
How do I rebook a Cancelled flight on Expedia?
To change a flight on Expedia If you need to change a flight after you’ve booked it with Expedia, you’ll need to call their customer service team at 1-866-310-5768 (within the US) or 1-404 . -728-8787 (international).
What if your flight is canceled on Expedia? They are entitled to a refund if the airline cancels a flight. No matter where you bought your ticket, you still have to pay.
Does Expedia allow you to change flights?
Because airlines must offer full refunds if you cancel within 24 hours of booking, Expedia allows you to change or cancel your flight reservation without fees within the same time frame.
Can I rebook my flight if it was Cancelled?
Talk to an agent Usually, if your flight is cancelled, most airlines will rebook you on the next available flight to your destination at no extra cost. However, depending on the reason your flight was cancelled, finding seats on a new flight can be difficult and can significantly alter your travel plans.
Can you undo a cancellation on Expedia?
Can’t use your Expedia vacation anymore and wondering how to get a refund? Hotel holidays booked through Expedia are generally non-refundable. If you cancel this fare, you can only claim flight taxes.
Can you sue an airline for emotional distress?
Whenever a pilot or airline is negligent in the maintenance or operation of an aircraft, putting the occupants in fear for their lives, the resulting distress may require a claim to compensate for damages, including health services mental health, therapy costs, ongoing emotional distress and more. .
